booksgowalkabout – Page 7 – Bookmonitor – news from around the world

Tiny Owl

The Elephants Umbrella cover image and web link — View, review or buy this book here…

Tiny Owl is an independent publishing company committed to producing beautiful, original books for children.

They were established in 2015, and believe in global children’s books and about building bridges across our world. Two of their latest books are The Elephant’s Umbrella and Alive Again, are both full of vibrant illustrations and intriguing text.

The Elephant’s Umbrella is a tale of generosity, and full of opportunities for conversation and reasons to smile. The elephant has an umbrella and his friends join him where it is cosy and dry. One day the umbrella blows away and the other jungle animals try to use it themselves, but don’t feel like sharing!

” If I become yours, where will you take me when it rains?” asks the umbrella to the bear. But the bear only wants the umbrella to help him get the honey!

Laleh Jaffari is the author, born in Iran she has written over 25 children’s bookss and is also a TV director.

Ali Khodal has illustrated over 80 books and won national awards in his home country of Iran.

Alive Again - cover image and web link — View, review or buy this book here…

Alive Again explores what it means to be alive and how words can express the meaning of ‘alive’, but yet they don’t hold the quality of being alive only. This book has lots of hidden depths and the illustrations will help teacher, parents and children to think and puzzle and wonder.

Ahmadreza Ahmadi is the author and is an Iranan poet and children’s story writer. In 2010 he was shortlisted for the Hans Christian Anderson Award. Nahid Kazemi is the illustrator.

Books Go Walkabout enjoys Tiny Owl books and shares values in vision of creating bridges through children’s books across the world.

Sue Martin

Bookmonitor is our news source for reviews and project information.

Books go Walkabout is our international books and literacy project - connecting authors and illustrators with children and young people around the globe.

We use Stripe to handle your e-purchase. Buy with confidence from BgW. Customer FAQ's here.

Revolutions – Moments in History, from The British Library

Moments cover image and web purchase link — Buy this book from BgW here…

A brand new series of books from The British Library, which bring collections of materials to children. Moments in History is the first book in the series and is newly published on 9^th March 2017.

It is a brilliant book to pick up and read from cover to cover or to just delve into and have an adventure of learning. I spent ages on The Battle of Little Bighorn and became totally engrossed! The nuggets of information and beautiful images make it a very compelling read as well as a starting point for further exploration and research. It will be a ‘must have’ book for teachers to embark on a history project.

Moments in History spans the dawn of civilisation to the Second World War,and is aimed at children from 8-11 years who are interested in the past, and want to find out more about people who made history – artists and architect, soldiers and explorers, politicians and religious leaders.

The author is Clare Hibbet who has written and edited over 200 books. She specialises in natural history, art and culture and is published with DK, QED Heinemann and others.

The British Library is one of the worlds greatest research libraries. It publishes a large number of books and publications and children’s books are a recent addition to the list of publications.

Their collections of materials is huge, 150 million items with 10 million people accessing online material each year.

Gathering evidence for research will be enhanced enormously by this book and future books in the series; using secondary evidence sources such as images and materials from The British Library will help young learners become historians of the future.

Revolutions, A Moment in History, very much enjoyed and recommended.

[plasso id=”CGRDcjrzDs” text=”Buy this book from BgW here…”]

Sue Martin Books Go Walkabout

Little People, Big Dreams

The Little People, Big Dreams series is published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

Agatha Christie - cover image and web purchase link — Purchase this book from BgW here…

The books tell the lives of outstanding people who went on to achieve incredible things,yet all of their ideas began life as a dream.

The two newest books in the series follow Marie Curie and Agatha Christie. Marie Curie who loved learning in science, when women were not usually scientists, and Agatha Christie, who taught herself to read at the age of 5, and went on to be one of the most well known crime writers

The books are written by Isabel Sanchez Vegara, from Barcelona, Spain and she brings a fresh approach to learning for life.

The books are superbly illustrated in syles which fit the era of the characters. Frau Isa is from Vienna and has a dreamy nostalgic style which fits well with the Marie Curie book.

Marie Curie cover image and web purchase link — Purchase this book from BgW here…

Elisa Munso is from the University of Barcelona and illustrated the Agatha Christie book in amazing black, white and red sketches.

Each of these inspiring and informative little biographies comes with extra facts about Marie and Agatha’s lives as an addition to the story and creates a timeline of the period to base the story.

It would be ideal for linking to International Women’s Day on March 8th and also 2017 is the 150th anniversary of Marie Curie’s birth, so some brilliant timing.

[plasso id=”CGRDcjrzDs” text=”Buy any of these books from BgW here…”]

Recommended for ages 7 plus.

Sue Martin

Books Go Walkabout

Tundra Mouse Mountain – Stories from Finland

Tundra Mouse Mountain book cover image — View, review or purchase this book from Amazon.co.uk

Tundra Mouse Mountain is a beautifully written book by Riita Jalonen and illustrated in pastel style by Kristiina Louhi. It has an endearing and dreamy quality.

We are very pleased to have donated some copies, this month, to the Finnish Embassy for Imagine Stories at Southbank Centre, London.

Tundra Mouse Mountain is a book about a journey, a journey to the Arctic with Sari and her mother, to fulfill her childhood promise.

‘What will you dream about tonight, Sari’ says her Mum. I’ll dream about bears or elk calves’, replies Sari.’

Tundra Mouse Mountain qr code image — Buy direct from your mobile device…

And in the illustration we see Sari riding a large brown bear, and then a reindeer who stares and stares. Did you know that if you stare long enough at a reindeer, it will go to sleep? Maybe we should try it next time we are face to face with a reindeer.

Imagine: A Nordic Childhood takes place at the Southbank Centre from the 9th Feb – 19th Feb and is well worth a visit. Stop and take a look at the childrens Nordic books when you are there.

Interesting facts from the Southbank Centre website:

‘Many of the 5.5 million children who live in the Nordic countries are said to be the happiest in the world.

In 2013, UNICEF listed Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden as four of the top five places on the planet to be a child. Some of the Nordic countries top the charts when it comes to education, while others are considered the best places to be a mother.’

Worth spending time there, we are making a visit to The Southbank Centre and maybe even Finland!

Sue Martin

Books Go Walkabout

Adventivity House 25 projects and materials for Advent

Adventivity House cover image — Review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here…

Adventivity House is an Advent Calendar and activity book rolled into one.

QED Publishing produced a very successful Adventivity title in 2014 . Instead of just opening a window on the Advent Calendar this book has a really good activity for each day of the Advent season.

There are some beautiful ideas including a sleigh from a match box with an elf on top, a Christmas wreath, and many others finishing with a spectacular day 25 Christmas carousel with reindeers, snowmen and angels.

Adventivity House QR code image — Buy this book direct from your mobile device…

Everything you need for making the activities is included in the book with push out designs, stencils and card, or you could use your own materials and ideas based on the activity, depends how creative you are feeling! Each door reveals a a surprise and it will make a beautiful calendar and chance to get ready for Christmas.

Advent is a season for getting ready and being prepared. In all the preparations for presents and for eating and sharing together it is wonderful to have something that is creative and will give time to reflect on preparation for the true meaning of Christmas.

Sue Martin

20 Games to Create with Scratch by Max Wainewright

20 Games to create with Scratch cover image — Review or purchase this title from Amazon.co.uk here…

This book will show you how to create 20 brilliant games using Scratch, which is a free programming language and online resource for creating interactive stories, games and animations.

One of the best books we have seen on coding for children. The text and images are really clear and fun. It gives all the directions on cartoons, sound effects, creating a scoring system, how to move the sprites around the game, storing the info and lots, lots more.

The cat and mouse game means the cats are cloned so the mice really do have to watch out. You can make the cat creep as well as walk and develop repeat loop runs! Absolutely amazing! And totally fascinating.

So, before you buy this book and give straight to a young person, have a go at a game, suggest starting at the first one. I’m working on it now!!

Max Wainewright has written more than 20 educational software titles for children. His programs and websites have won a number of awards including BETT, ERA, and Practical Pre-School Gold Awards. Max also used to be a primary school teacher. He lives in London with his wife and two children.

QED, the publishers have a great list of titles and are very well known for their knowledge of children’s interests and in working with excellent authors. 20 Games to Create with Scratch is a brilliant book.

Sue Martin

Books Go Walkabout

The Dragon’s Hoard by Lari Don and Cate James

Dragons are looming large in our blogs this month!

The Dragon’s Hoard has eleven amazing stories from Viking Sagas, and it’s packed with warriors, battles, Berserkers, monsters and zombies. A really good book for story time as the nights get longer and darker in the northern hemisphere.

Lari Don is the author and Cate James is the illustrator in this recently published book from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. As a team the production of this book is brilliant, it brings mythical and historical characters to life through the excellent stories and wonderful illustrations.

It can be used as a good resource for Key Stage 2 National Curriculum work on the Vikings. It is a very creative and inspiring read on the Viking period of history from long ago. It is a good book to have in the library and also at home as the short stories are easy to share together and will bring some magic to stories around the fire or at bedtime.

Lari Don was born in Chile and has lived in Scotland for a long while, a keen interest in Scottish Landscapes and myths and fables. She has written many books including the award winning YA novel Mind Blind.

Cate James lives in Sydney and has many successful books including the Lollipop and Grandpa series. She also is a volunteer visiting artist at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

And as for the dragon’s tales… maybe we can find some more to add to this months collection of dragons good and bad, friendly and fierce.

Sue Martin

Dare to Care: Pet Dragon

If you too have ever wanted to have a pet dragon, then this is the book for you!

A spectacular and fun spoof pet-care guide to dragons with everything you would ever need; taking your dragon to the vets, how to groom your dragon, teaching it to fly.

Written by Sally Symes and illustrated by M.P Robertson, published by Frances Lincoln it is now available in paper back at £6.99 or for a gift in hardback at £11.99.

There are pages of fun facts, such as what to give your dragon to eat and what is not so good, brussel sprouts for instance are a complete No!

The Dragon Snatcher cover image — See more…

When it comes to grooming the illustrations are really good and include a tiler fixing the scales, a chimney sweep for the fire and smoke places and much more.

Great team work on this book and makes an excellent book for children aged from 5 and above. It’s part of a series about dragons and includes The Egg and the Dragon Snatcher.

Sue Martin

booksgowalkaboutlogo4

The Little Pioneer by Adam Hancher

This is a review of The Little Pioneer written by Adam Hancher and published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

The Little Pioneer tells a story of one little girl’s adventures as she journeys through America with hope to find a better life in California.

She soon discovers the excitement and dangers of travelling from the east to the west coast of America.
As the journey goes on this little girl learns what courage and determination you need to become a pioneer.

The Little Pioneer was selected by Costco as one of their picks of Bologna Book Fair.

This book has amazing illustrations and I would suggest it is for ages 7-11.

Our guest reviewer: Emily Williams aged 12 years

Adder, Bluebell, Lobster
Wild Poems by Chrissie Gittins

Adder, Bluebell, Lobster - book cover image — Review or buy from Amazon.co.uk here…

There is more to this Wild Book of Poems from Otter-Barry Books than meets the eye!

From Adder to Wren, forty fantastic poems celebrate forty amazing animals, birds and plants and their beautiful names – names which you can help poet Chrissie Gittins save from EXTINCTION!

They are all words which have been left out of the latest Oxford Junior Dictionary. Join authors such as Michael Morpurgo and Margaret Atwood, who along with 28 other authors, protested against Oxford Junior Dictionary’s replacement of natural words with 21st century terms.

The poems are brilliant, each page has a poem from Chrissie and illustration from Paul Bommer such as. Harry the Hamster…

‘Harry the hamster, in his ball

rolled round the bedroom,

rolled round the hall.

He rolled to the bathroom,

he rolled to the stairs

where a huge teddy bear

took him clean unawares’.

We recommend for ages 6+ and for all ages.

Sue Martin