The starling observes how lovely the landscape is as he flies above and decides to sing a song about it. But when he tells the other birds, they urge him not to forget other elements of natural beauty in the world like the trees, the water and life itself. Together they look closely and see it all.
The book is gorgeously illustrated with striking woodcut images in black and white with pops of yellow for the starling’s beak and feet.
‘The Starling’s Song’ is a celebration of nature and a lyrical exhortation to look around us and appreciate the natural world, perfect for fans of Charlie Mackesy’s ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’.
This beautiful picture book for older children is a menagerie of bizarre and mysterious beasts from mythologies all over the world. It explains the origins of some creatures you have heard of (the phoenix, the mermaid, the dragon) as well as some that might be new to you like the Japanese elephant-tusked Baku who eats your bad dreams, the giant crocodile Cipactli with mouths on all of its joints, and the terrifying swallowing monster from Lesotho – the Khodumodumo.
In addition to the fascinating information, compelling ink and watercolour illustrations create ethereal and yet vivid manifestations of each imagined creature. This book would be a perfect companion-read to Katherine Rundell’s ‘Impossible Creatures’ – for those who want to delve a little deeper into the world of mythical beasts.
Another wonderful collection from Joseph Coelho. These 25 poems will not only make you smile, but they are also perfect for reading aloud, acting out and inspiring children to write their own poetry.
Amongst my favourites were ‘Imagination Running Free’, ‘A Brush with Danger’ about a yeti brushing his hair, and the wonderfully soothing and meditative ‘Bedtime’.
It is also wonderfully illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett.
I was fortunate to chair the shortlisting panel for the Picture Book category of the Spark! School Book Awards again this year. Out of a fabulously diverse, creative and colourful pile of submissions, these are the four books we selected to go forward to the children for judging…
‘The Bear and her Book: There’s More to See’ by Frances Tosdevin & Hannah Worsley
‘The bear gave a sigh and she waved a paw, “I’m a curious bear who must explore. The world is big and there’s more to see, and I’ll find this bear who is not like me.”’
Bear reads about a sad and lonely bear living in the arctic in her Book of Being Wise and sets out to find him, helping lots of other animals along the way.
A lyrical, stunningly illustrated story about a curious bear and her book-inspired adventures.
‘The Drama Llama’ by Rachel Morrisroe & Ella Okstad
‘The llama really started causing panic and hysteria, chasing kids and lunchtime helpers round the cafeteria.’
Whenever Alex is feeling anxious, his worries turn into a real live llama. The llama keeps growing and causing chaos until his teacher gets him to talk about his worries.
A colourful and hilarious read about learning to calm your drama llama by sharing your worries.
‘The Night Flower’ by Lara Hawthorne
‘And high on the cactus, beneath the bright moon, a tiny green bud is beginning to bloom.’
As the sun sets over the desert, all the creatures begin to gather for a special event – the blooming of the beautiful Night Flower on the saguaro cactus, which only happens once a year.
‘The Night Flower’ is a gorgeously illustrated story about a rare and magical moment in nature.
‘Why, Oh Why, Am I a Crocodile?’ by Alex Brooks & Hannah Worsley
‘Admiring the parrot for a little while, she sighed, “Why, oh why, am I a crocodile?”’
A lonely crocodile envies the other animals with their bright colours, long legs and appealing smiles, until she meets a blind monkey who teaches her to accept herself for who she is.
A delightful rhyming story about friendship and learning to love yourself.
Swimming in Books 