With dark nights truly upon us we thought it might be a good time to share some ideas on what we can read now the winter months have drawn in. With snow forecast it might be the right time to order a new book for yourself and/or your child! This week we are featuring The Human Race, by Sean Callery & Donough O’Mallery, this is a Key stage 1 History based book. This book about the achievements of the human race, is perfect for helping children place the significant individuals they study in KS1 in time, along with other famous people they may have heard of. Perfect for choosing a page or two to share during storytime!

Acorn Class have really enjoyed reading a brand new book By Julia Donaldson called the Oak Tree. The book is a celebration of nature and begins a thousand years ago when an acorn on the ground began to grow. The children love how it links to our classes in school and recommend that everyone gets to read it at home. This would make a great Christmas present for any age group!

This week's book reccomendation is from Max R is Ash Class. Stig of the Dump is a tale of two boys who are complete oposites, become the most unlikely of friends.

Courage in a poem is a wonderful poetry book made for everyone. Inside is a treasure trove of writing celebrating courage and empowerment. Read the poems aloud or curl up with them in a quiet corner. Poetry which really resinates with both the young and the old, as well as using the topic of courage to inspire those who read it. 

With Earth Day approaching (22nd April 2023) we have a few books (pictured) which can help us to think about our impact on our planet and how we can work to make everyday an earth day!

This week we have two recommendations from Ash Class-

Who Swallowed Stanley?  We love this book as it is really funny when Stanley doesn't know what has swallowed him. It tells us not to put plastic bags in the sea. 

The Storm Whale  We liked it when the boy put the whale in the bath, and we liked that the boy found the whale and looked after him.

This week we have had a wonderful time celebrting World Book Day, as part of this we have spoken to our staff and put together some book recommendations for families to have a look through, there are titles suitable for all age groups and we hope this helps your family to find new books to explore together. 

This week's recommended read is recommended by Alex Welford-Robinson, and is entitled Black and British. Alex loves history and has been very interested in reading the contents of this book, which goes through all the periods of British History, giving detail on the past 1800 years of Black British history - from the Roman Africans who guarded Hadrian's Wall right up to the present day.

This week, is recommended read has been chosen by Miss Groombridge:

The Boy who Fooled the World by Lisa Thompson

Cole is the odd one out at school: the other kids have the latest gadgets and trainers while his family struggles to make ends meet.

Until the day one of his paintings is talent-spotted and sells for thousands of pounds at a posh London gallery.

Suddenly, Cole is the toast of the international art world, the star guest on TV shows, rich beyond his wildest dreams, hailed as a boy genius!

This book is a fantastic read which also teaches children about resilience, friendship and acceptance.

This week, is recommended read is The Invisible by Tom Percival.

The Invisible by Tom Percival is not only stunningly illustrated, it is a story that has been created from the heart. Based on Tom’s lived experience, The Invisible is the story of a girl called Isabel, who finds a way to bring the community together.

Isabel is a small girl who lives with her family, and though they have little they have each other, so life is happy. Then disaster strikes and they have to leave their home to move to the other side of town - where everything is grey and cold and sad and lonely.

This full colour picture book uses muted shades for much of the story – showing us just how cold and dark it is and how awful it is to be ‘invisible’. The beginning of the story has colour – but it is all edged with cold, and icy windows. It is not until the end of the book – when winter has passed, when the sun and spring add to the wonderful colour the new community has created by all working together. This is a very gentle story with a potent and persuasive message, that small acts can add up to a huge change. Whilst being selfless it also shows that Isabel and her family have all benefitted by the actions she has instigated.

At the back of the book is a heart-felt note from Tom, sharing his own experience of growing up with very little money. He recalls how he remembers seeing ice on his bedframe in the family caravan, his home freezing, but also full of love and books. Books can be so powerful and The Invisible is a prime example of that. It is both gentle and thought-provoking, and gives a window into a life that for many goes unnoticed. Tom’s use of purples and grey helps you feel what Isobel is feeling. And at the end of the book, we feel uplifted, with Isobel finding a new sense of joy and belonging.

The story underlines the message we can all contribute somehow, and that we all belong