Conkers (Barrington Stoke) ISBN 9781781125526 £5.99
One of Barrington-Stokes’ Conkers list of titles, this raucous tale from Jeremy Strong had me engaged from page one. The story is not complex: an ostrich appears in the grounds of Pudding Lane Primary School and causes mayhem; it becomes the school mascot; it is kidnapped…and rescued; it causes mayhem again during a school inspection. That’s it! However, Strong’s genuine enthusiasm for his story, characters and readers is evident in every sentence. The action is ridiculous, but any reader from a confident 7 year old to a less confident 11 year old will recognise the types that inhabit most schools and enjoy the nonsense that occurs when you add an ostrich to the mix. Teachers will enjoy seeing the school inspector made ridiculous by Mad Iris. The text is easy to read and entertaining black and white illustrations appear every few pages. There are some (rather dull) activities at the end. I think this story would be hilarious read out loud over several sessions as well as being a popular addition to the class library.
Debra Holmes, English teacher, Sexey’s School, Bruton, Somerset
