Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526360304 £12.99 Wolves are evocative creatures, shrouded in mystery. This superb non-fiction book lifts the veil off these intriguing animals. Smriti Prasadam-Halls tells us about pack life, how wolves communicate and adapt to their environment, and the wolf family. We are shown the lands of the wolf, and how they kill…
QED ISBN 978174938659 £16.99 This volume is one of a small series published originally in the USA. Space has also been recently released in the UK. There are no details of updates since the original publication in 2010, but the under ‘Quest for Speed’ there is a record from 2015, so obviously some revision has taken place.…
Pavilion ISBN 9781843653295 £12.99 This is a reissue of a beautiful book first published in 1945 with Phyllis Bray’s original artwork. Jo Manton’s retelling of this excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a clever mix of clear narrative, paraphrasing of the original text using much of the same language and direct quotation. It really works as…
Walker Books ISBN 9781406374865 £12.99 This is a most appealing book in Marcia Williams’ comic-strip style. She celebrates a range of women throughout history from around the world. There are double page spreads on Cleopatra, Boudicca, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, Mary Wollstonecraft, Jane Austen, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo,…
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781847809636 £12.99 What a great idea, and what a lovely book. Take 10 ancient societies and draw a big double page spread illustrating the time/period/way of life. Insert 20 anomalies, or inappropriate historical items on each spread. Ask the children to find all the mistakes [they can always check the correct…
Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959114 £12.99 Wow! This book is really a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears. At first I thought it was the vibrant illustrations, the stunning colours, the attention to detail and fascinating use of sunlight to highlight the pages which was the true magic of the book. But actually, the…
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 971847804860 £12.99 This latest collaboration between experienced poet and illustrator is a supersonic romp through creative wordplay about space. Twenty-six poems from writers familiar and not introduce us to Spaceman McTavity, the mind-boggling menu from Greasy Pete’s Space Take-Away, the worst monsters in the Universe such as the dreaded Drob…
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934267 £9.99 This second outing for the lovable duo Rabbit and Bear is a testament to the success of their creation. In this adventure, Rabbit wakes to the start of spring in a decidedly grumpy mood. Every sound grates and irritates because, ‘peace and quiet,’ shouts Rabbit, ‘that’s all I want.’ …
Walker Books ISBN 9781406373622 £12.99 Huge congratulations to the National Theatre for this imaginative product. A perfect antidote to endless screen-watching and finger-clicking, the robust box contains an interesting range of items designed to encourage participants to create and perform their own plays. A set of 8 illustrated cards helps to choose the perfect setting…