Little Time, Little Books Blog

So many books, so little time but what about when you have little books and little time??  Sudden Saturday afternoon thought – I can read them of course!

The prefect way to fill a little time is with a little book, even better if you can share said little book with a little person, unfortunately I don’t have one of those around at the moment so adult thoughts about little people’s books are coming your way …

The books in question are two charming board books from the American publisher Gibbs Smith.  They are part of the BabyLit series created by Suzanne Gibbs Taylor.  The series takes very well known classic literature and transforms it into books for babies.  Did you ever think that you would see a Jane Eyre or Jabberwocky for the littlest reader?  Well now you can!

Jane Eyre, A Counting Primer written by Jennifer Adams with art by Alison Oliver is a Little Miss Bronte title.  A small board book, perfect for little hands and very chewable too, should the fancy take, it succinctly tells Jane’s tale in 10 simple words, teaching the smallest reader how to count and at the same time introducing them to a timeless classic.  Begin with 1 Governess, pick up 2 Trunks and off you go until you reach 10 Books.  Each double page spread has the number, its associated word and some gothic but very child friendly artwork.  Brilliant!

Jabberwocky A Nonsense Primer again written by Jennifer Adams and with art by Alison Oliver is a Little Master Carroll title.  It follows the same format, double page spread, words and artwork on one, artwork on the other.  This one is bright and colourful, matching its theme.  It is of course complete nonsense but it will have grown-ups and little readers giggling with delight at the sounds these silly words make.

Two perfect little books for anyone and everyone, for we all have a little time, it is how we use it that matters and what could be better than using it wisely with a little person and a little book?

2014 Blog 1 ...

After a considerable absence of 2 months I am happy to say that service is being resumed and for the first Blog of 2014 Armadillo reviewer Bridget Carrington shares a few (very honest) thoughts on a couple of books she has been kindly reading and reviewing recently...

Tiny Twisted Tales

Last January I blogged a piece about Stuart Reid’s Gorgeous George series, which I thought was better suited to an animated film than to print – not least because of the many typos. Further GG stories have confirmed my opinion…  The GG books are illustrated (well) by Calvin Innes, who has now written and illustrated two brief stories in verse, Pale Henry and Jenny in a series he calls ‘Tiny Twisted Tales’. Again, the illustrations are the best bit.

Glenmore Valley

This new series from the noted Irish publishers O’Brien is produced in collaboration with the Irish Farmers Journal, and are written by Anna McQuinn with illustrations from Paul Young. The two titles so far available are utterly delightful. Colm’s Lambs introduces us to the village, the farms and the characters who will appear in the stories, and gives readers a good insight to the realities of lambing, while A Rosette for Maeve? follows another farmer’s daughter, Lisa, as she prepares her prize calf for a show. Aimed at older KS1 and lower KS2 readers, well-illustrated, funny and sad at times, these short novels don’t glamorize farming but perfectly express the hard work and enjoyment which farm life offers. They also offer an insight to Irish life, on and off the farm.  Brilliant!

Yet more Tales from Lovecraft Middle School

I’ve just received another volume in Charles Gilman’s excellent ‘Tales from Lovecraft Middle School’ series (see the February Blog).  Intriguingly titles Creature it comes in the splendid holographic cover. Can’t wait to read it!

Half Term Shenanigans!

Half term has arrived and with it the promise of weather that makes you want to curl up and stay indoors or jet off for some Autumnal sun, whichever your choice be sure that you have a good book or tow, perhaps even three to see you through the week.  I have…

In fact I have a very large pile, books from picture books through to YA and even adult along with some non-fiction for good measure – cooking and crafting that I will be reporting on in the Winter edition of the magazine which will be here before we know it!

So back to the fiction, I am sure and I hope that you are wondering what is in my pile?  Well let’s start with the YA and work down.

For older teens there is some truly excellent reading material available.  I recently discovered Sarah J. Maas.  An evening at Bloomsbury to mark not only the publication of her novels but a rare visit to the UK put copies of books 1 and 2 - Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight - into my hands and had me enthralled by their mix of fantasy and reality, the blurred lines of love and loathing, the thrill of the assassin, the fear of the dangers presented by some real threats and above all else the fluidity of the writing, I was gripped and I am sure many of my readers will be too.  I must now admit that I don’t read as much YA and teen fiction as I should – partly from working in a prep school and not necessarily having the time to fit it in with all the younger fiction I need to read!

However I have enjoyed another series, or again the first two books in, this one

by Maureen Johnson (Suite Scarlett, Hot Key Books) who again I was lucky enough to meet, this time at an event at Waterstones Piccadilly where she shared the stage with James Dawson (this is the subject of another Blog to follow soon).  Maureen’s books are unashamedly teen stories are great for those who love the nitty gritty of teen romantic angst, family trials and tribulations and some great, down-to-earth story telling that they can relate easily to.  

Finally for teens a book for the Christmas list.  The One Safe Place by Tania Unsworth (Orion) is not published until January 2^nd but is a book that will be well worth the wait.  The mysterious Gabriel H Penn Home for Childhood looks like the answer to the prayers of the street children, offering a roof, safety and food.  However looks can deceive as Devin and his friends are about to discover, will they find a safe way out or be trapped forever in a very disconcerting fairytale life?  Suspenseful and full of adventure, a book to wait for and then devour!

Now to those younger readers who need to get their teeth into something fun for half term holidays.  My reading pile has been particularly extensive where these readers are concerned with something for the various ages and both genders too.  Rainbow Beauty: Blueberry Wishes by Kelly McKain (Usborne) is the third book in the Rainbow Beauty series and takes us back to the Rainbow Beauty Parlour where things are looking up for Abbie and her family or are they, will competition and a celebrity mean a its all change for the girls?  

On a completely different note we take to the high seas, or at least would like to, with Hilary Westfield.  Wannabe pirate Hilary is about to be sent off to Miss Pimm’s Finishing School, having been rejected by the Very Nearly Honourable League of Pirates but she has very strong views and a determined plan.  If you love swashbuckling adventure, the thrills and spills of a pirate life then this is most certainly going to be a book you will love so look out for Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson (Simon and Schuster).  Not satisfied yet?  Not yet found something for this half term holiday reading, well as Halloween features in this holiday why not consider something spooking and ghoulish?  

William Alexander author of the brilliantly narrated and cleverly conceived Goblin Secrets has once again put pen to paper for a companion title.  Ghoulish Song (Much-In-Little) begins ominously with the last day of Kalie’s life, it then becomes more upbeat before we discover that without her shadow Kalie will die but not be dead.  Making sense?  It will when you start to read and learn how Kalie and her shadow must conquer a certain flute and a band of travelling goblins to save themselves and Zombay too.  

If you love this then you will also love the next Sesame Seade mystery Gargoyles Gone AWOL by Clemetine Beauvais (HodderChildrens) finds Sesame and her friends on the trail of the mysteriously disappearing gargoyles in Cambridge University – can Seasame’s detective skills solve the crime or will the mysterious new arrival and the strange footprints continue to baffle?  Get your sleuthing hat on and get ready for a great detective adventure with lots of laughs!

Now to those picture books which I also mentioned I have been reading and two of my very favourite authors have delivered some fantastic reading for the youngest of my readers this half term (and any older ones who just can't get enough of gorgeous books).  

The first comes from Debi Gliori Dragon Loves Penguin (Bloomsbury) is a charming story showing how the most unlikely of pairings can be the best.  Touching, clever, amusing and delightfully illustrated in a new style - for the author who has turned to charcoal and loose watercolour, this book is not only stunning to look at but a sheer delight to read.  Children and adults alike will love the story of a lonely egg and a mummy figure.  

If your little one is scared of monsters then Debi Gliori's book will soothe them, Adam Stower's Troll and the Oliver (Templar Publishing) may at first scare them until they realise that this is a story all about the troll who tries to eat Oliver but never manages to for Oliver is just too fast and too clever ... until one day ... but that would give away the story.  Suffice to say there is a happy ending and children will love this book, once again a great story and stunning illustration combine to make a book to add to the every growing collection of bedtime and anytime stories.  Two perfect picture books to round off a fantastic selection of half term reading choices!

Picture Books Galore

Its a fabulous time for picture books, they have been finding their way to my desk in vast quantities recently which has been lovely for not only are they always a delight to read they are a delight to recommend too!

Following a wonderful event with Scholastic Books at Daunt Books on Holland Park recently where we celebrated the launch of Cerrie Burnell's charming story, Snowflakes, illustrated by Laura Ellen Andersen a story about a mixed race family, it has been lovely to read Look Back! by Trish Cook, illustrated by Caroline Binch and published by Papillote Press.  This small independent publisher has taken on a big book - one that is magical and one that celebrates other cultures, in this instance the Caribbean culture.  In the story the reader is treated to a tale of magic adventure in the rainforest but is not quite sure whether the story is all in a grandmother's imagination or a true adventure.  Does it really matter?  probably not for the adventure takes us on a glorious journey through brightly coloured
foresty jungle and into the heart of storytelling.

A very different but equally colourful book comes from Tor Freeman.  The Toucan Brothers, published by Macmillan finds the intrepid plumbing brothers- Sammy and Paul - vying for business when a new plumber arrives in town.  The biggest problem however is not the competition but the fact that the new plumber is just no good!  Can Sammy and Paul save their reputation and their town?  A brilliant story with rhyming text making it perfect for reading aloud and pictures that just add so much to the words ...

Next it is back to grandparents with the charming How to Babysit a Grandad by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish, published by Hodder.  Filled with instructions for how to look after your granddad in the best possible way this will have children, parents and grandparents giggling as they discover that entertaining consists of somersaults, scary plays and muscles whilst drawing means pirate-shark battles and puddle pictures!  Remember to clear up all the mess and that when it is time for goodbye you need to check when they are coming again - utterly charming!

Of course we all love our parents and grandparents and quite often our brothers and sisters too but for anyone in any doubt I Love You by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Emma Dodd should help...  Here is a celebration of love, an exploration of everything in the world of a child that they may love - ice cream, puppies, teddies and more,  Funny, lively, rhyming and just gorgeous!

Of course sometimes children are not wonderfully charming, they don't always clean up their mess and of course it was not them that made it in the first place - it was the gorilla!  Ding Dong Gorilla by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Leonie Lord , published by Orchard Books, is a wonderfully messy celebration of the imagination of a child - what happens when you answer the door to a gorilla- mischief and mayhem of course.  Hilariously funny and anarchic picture book with cheeky illustration too!

Last but by no means least I will leave you with a question, posed by Alison Green and deftly illustrated by Adam Stower - What Can You Stack on the Back of a Yak? I most certainly don't want to spoil the surprise but can assure you that you will be amazed and will enjoy the surprise when you turn every page ...

A wonderful selection of picture books, really and truly offering something for everyone, the child, parent and grandparent, lots of laughs a riot of colour and the beginning of a great reading adventure!

Comic Book Capers for Key Stage 1

Bridget Carrington reports for Armadillo on some innovative new titles for Key Stage 1 readers...

New from American publisher Blue Apple Books come two Balloon Toons titles aimed at Key Stage 1 readers. Combining simple(ish) text and typical zany cartoon strip set out and characters, they are aimed at early readers, and offer more zany humour than is often found in books for this age group. Their hard covers also give them a feeling of importance which will attract new readers.

My Friend Fred the Plant (Daniel Cleary and Kanako Usui) is a funny but gentle look at friendship, imaginary friends, and learning to understand others. A cat (in a hat) has a pet plant. He takes it out for a walk on a small wagon and meets another cat (on a skateboard and wearing a helmet) who scoffs at him, and words like ‘weird’ and ‘jealous’ are  exchanged.  Skateboard cat is left in charge of Fred while hat cat goes to get some water, and winds up caring for it as if it were his best friend! Clear, bright, funny illustrations add immeasurably to the very simple but punchy text.

The Radically Awesome Adventures of the Animal Princess is only one of several Balloon Toons titles written and illustrated by Pranas T. Naujokaitis. Three separate stories about the enterprising Princess show us how she rescues her royal parents from a Tri-wizard (don’t ask), overcomes the attack of the Rainy Day Cupcake Monster (a delicious tale), and earns enough money to purchase a Super-max Hoverboard 3000 by undertaking the Dragon’s Quests. There’s a secret to the Princess’s name, and her awesome powers, and it’s all to do with her pyjamas.  The Dragon’s ‘quests’ are great, and may well give adults some ideas to encourage youngsters to help out with the household chores!

Altogether this is a splendid series, offering cool reading for new readers, and for those who prefer their words extra well supported by humour-laden cartoon strips.

Celebrating Difference

As the summer holidays - for teachers and children at least - draw to a close what better way to be invigorated for the academic year ahead than by reading?  The government may be doing all that it can to encourage reading in all the wrong ways but thankfully authors, booksellers, readers, reviewers. librarians and many teachers are continuing to ensure that children of all ages develop a love of reading that will stay with them for life.

By Celebrating Difference in teen fiction three writers are ensuring that the older readers have plenty of story as well as many issues to get to grips with.

R J Palacio, Sally Gardner and Laura Jarratt were interviewed by Catherine Woodfine from the Booktrust and grilled by an audience of new and avid fans at an event held at Waterstones Piccadilly (London) on Wednesday 14th August.

R J Palacio had quite literally just stepped off a train from Edinburgh where she and Sally Gardner had been part of a panel event.  Laura Jarratt and her husband were just in London for the event and a short overnight stay, the first without the newest addition to their family!  All were wonderfully enthusiastic and full of insightful thoughts on children's literature and how to celebrate difference.

Beginning the evening with a challenge - how to get on the very comfy but high chairs - certainly broke the ice for all and was followed by a brief introduction from Catherine Woodfine to the authors, their books and the concept of celebrating difference - looking at characters who are profoundly different from those around them.

For R J Palacio it is Auggie a 10 year old boy with a cranial facial difference.  Sally Gardener introduces Standish Treadwell, a severe dyslexic and Laura Jarratt uses Jenna, an average teen who wants to fit in and Ryan a traveller boy.  The books, Wonder, Maggot Moon and Skin Deep are all fantastic reading, gripping from page one despite an apparent lack of quest, detective or spy thriller or even vampirical theme!  It just goes to prove that great writing is great writing and can be gripping for itself.

Back to the books and the discussion ...

In Wonder Auggie feels that he is normal, and RJ explores the way in which he faces a world who do not know how to react, this theme of courage is one that is shared by all the books.  So what motivated the authors?  For R J it was personal experience - not knowing how to react when her son was upset at seeing a girl with a facial deformity.  for Sally it was having become so cantankerous when on a diet that she had to shut herself away and write whilst for Laura it was pastoral work with children.

In each book the celebration of difference becomes a strength for the character in question, they begin to accept themselves, gain more empathy with those around them and think outside of the traditional box.

Writing outside the 'box' is however not easy.  R J explained how she had a book about gay characters rejected as marketing were not convinced it would sell and Sally explained how she felt many were too quick to judge.  Read and understand, allow writers to challenge and children to think from within the safety of fiction - this is the message.  A message that is beginning to break through, certainly for R J who has seen a shift in the US book market towards a celebration of difference that does not mean turning into a vampire or werewolf!

For the authors exploring and celebrating difference is not only important for their audience it is important for them too.  Readers can use the books to explore, find themselves, have fun, be individual.  It is a challenge, to create a character who, on the surface appears not to fit in but in reality with a little work, does.  In effect all fiction is about difference, it is the way in which authors approach it that really matters.  Difference is a common theme in humanity and deserves to be celebrated.

So to all those in the audience and now to those of you reading this Blog the message was to be a good writer extrapolate.  Write about what you feel from the gut, imagine.  Believe in your story, tell it over and over again until you get it right and when it burns inside you don't ignore it - write it!