A book about imagination, growing up and family...The Land of Roar is one of the most lovely children's books you can imagine. Arthur and his twin sisA book about imagination, growing up and family...The Land of Roar is one of the most lovely children's books you can imagine. Arthur and his twin sister, Rose, used to get a long so well and would always play in the mysterious land of Roar together but childhood doesn't last forever and as the twins grow older and apart this has dire consequences not just for their relationship but also to Roar where things are quiet as made up as they seem.
This book illustrates the beautiful and complex nature of children's imagination and the importance of this. As the narrative unravels, the reader is plunged into a beautiful world of creatures both big and small. The setting is breathtaking and the reader can't help but want to take a trip there considering the detailed description but also detailed illustrations that accompany the narrative. Not only is the setting vibrant, but the characters are charismatic and memorable too. From the twin's grandfather who will stop at nothing to remind the twins of their childhood, to Win (a ninja with a twist)...you just can't help but fall in love with each and every one.
The limits of this book in the classroom are endless. It would serve as a great introduction or focus for a cross curricular adventure but it also would be a lovely book to explore as a class with no pressure of academia. Before lockdown, the Land of Roar was my class text, and it was well loved and the children really connected with all the messages. If you are in KS2 you need this book in your collection. ...more
Holes tells the story of redemption and the everlasting consequences of our actions. When Stanley Yelnats is hit on the head by a mystery pair of sneaHoles tells the story of redemption and the everlasting consequences of our actions. When Stanley Yelnats is hit on the head by a mystery pair of sneakers he never believed that his world could change or that he would be charged with theft and sent to a Juvenile Detention centre in the Middle of Nowhere.
Throughout the novel, initially 2D characters are revealed to be deeper understood and each present a different question to the treatment of the problems in society. Whilst at Camp Green Lake, Stanley navigates the struggle of manipulation and friendship, as well as dealing with the desire to move on and up whilst being deemed to already have reached his limit. Whilst Stanley spends his days digging a dry and barren landscape the reader is thrown back to 1800 where Sam the Onion Man and Kate Barlow encounter their own challenges of equality. Despite being popular for his natural remedies Sam will never be equal in the town of Green Lake because of the colour of his skin. When him and Kate are spotted being involved romantically, Sam is shot and killed causing a irevocable change that will never be undone. In her understanding of the town's tyranny, Kate becomes the illustrious Kissing Kate Barlow thief untouchable. Kate eventually turns mad but not before she can hide her treasure from the families that once saw to punish her.
Back in the modern day, when faced with struggles and misunderstandings of his peers Stanley and Zero runaway. Sprouting memories of his great grandfather Stanley finds solace and unknowingly cures the curse that has plagued his family for years. At their solace, the boys bond over past mistakes and find that their pasts could not have been closer. This bond becomes the power they need to overcome the mistakes of the past and find something that restores justice in both boys lives.
Initially, coming into reading this novel I wasn't that excited. However, the moment the dual narrative is introduced the story has a sudden sense of depth and meaning with clear links between the two worlds. With encompassing themes that can spread to the challenges of school life for many children, Holes places itself as a valuable novel for those children in UKS2. The receptive context options for this text are various and would easily allow children to understand the links between 1800s and modern day. Despite my initial scepticism I would recommend this book for UKS2 for both whole class and independent children reading. ...more
A book about Mr Postmouse's delivery round throughout the locality...seems a simple book but this is so much more! The illustrations aid to create a wA book about Mr Postmouse's delivery round throughout the locality...seems a simple book but this is so much more! The illustrations aid to create a whole new world that the reader is readily encompassed in when given the tome to read and engage with this.
Personally, I found the narrative alone simple, and if you are someone that only reads a picture book this is definitely going to mean you miss 90% of the text. The illustrations here are the absolute highlight and they make the story witty and enjoyable for a range of ages. Each illustration carries so much more than the couple of sentence of texts accompanied by it and children will enjoy unravelling the stories of each character that Mr Postmouse meets- and children could be easily engaged with making a story for each of the characters afterwards.
A really valuable picture book to communicate the message that there are differences between picture books and picturebooks. Everyone needs to take the time to read and digest every page of this book, to truly understand its worth. ...more
A delicate tale about a boy's discovery of day and night and the cyclic nature of the day. 'The Night Box' revolves around an investigation into the wA delicate tale about a boy's discovery of day and night and the cyclic nature of the day. 'The Night Box' revolves around an investigation into the world in the day and how the light impacts every part of the world, and the world in the night and how the dark provides different yet still as beautiful ideas and revelations.
The narrative throughout this text is intricate and well planned out. Each part of the story encompasses the reader in a true sense of awe and wonder and when traced alongside the investigatory narrative it allows for the reader to think about the differences in their own world and how these are similar and or different. Which allows, for this book to be built into a KS1 classroom very easily built around a theme of 'Our World' or allowing children to consider how their world differs around the day and night.
The illustrations within the text are as equally intricate and delicate as the narrative. Each illustration needs to be focused on and each part of the page analysed with the children in the classroom- if you don't give children the time to investigate these you really are robbing the children of a truly investigatory experience! I think it would be great to provide children with the chance to replicate this story but about their own world and allow each child to think about how their night box affects their day and night lives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this text and think it would be a fabulous addition to any KS1 classroom. Implementing this book in a KS1 classroom, would allow for children to relate their world to the often abstract world of literature. ...more
A little book tackling some BIG problems. 'A Little Paper Caper' tells the story of some forest animals investigation into why branches from the treesA little book tackling some BIG problems. 'A Little Paper Caper' tells the story of some forest animals investigation into why branches from the trees have started to vanish and which one of the animals is the culprit?
The book tackles some really key problems for KS1 namely honesty and also the idea of the environment. In terms of honesty, the book reminds children of how much better honesty is and why being honest straight away can help solve the problem before it escalates. Similarly, the book provides a great introduction into discussions about the environment and the consequences of our actions, in the final pages Bear is seen sowing more tree seeds to make up for the ones he cut down. This ending demonstrates the cycle of actions and consequences; and illustrates to children how every action has a consequence and a solution enabling discussions about the classroom can do and also could give children the opportunities to survey their local environment and use what they find in their learning.
One of the most enjoyable features about this book was the limited written text. Within the book, there is no more than 1/2 sentences on each page; and the dialogue is communicated through images in speak bubbles rather than dialogue. This makes the picture book a brilliant addition to a classroom considering EAL pupils and even children who are still developing confidence with their reading- meaning that this book can be enjoyed by everyone and the messages still clearly understood.
Overall, a great story and a true representation that you should never judge a book by its cover...like I said it's a very small book dealing with very big problems. ...more
A journey of a boy's feelings of revenge when his dog is killed by an Artic Wolf but when this doesn't produce the feelings he initially expected AtukA journey of a boy's feelings of revenge when his dog is killed by an Artic Wolf but when this doesn't produce the feelings he initially expected Atuk is forced to consider the consequences of his actions.
The longer parts of narrative and sophisticated language make this picture book ideal for children in KS2 and perfectly shows to older children that picture books aren't just for small kids. The narrative here, tells a delicate story of a young boy's method of coping with grief through revenge and then his associated questions of guilt and loneliness, when he realises that by killing the wolf he has not achieved any healing and has instead made himself a feared creature in his homeland. The detailed description of the setting as well would provide great opportunities for discussions between children and teachers about the Tundra habitat that can be a bit harder to display to children than some others i.e the rainforest.
Also, the book presents a clear view of the Inuit culture and lifestyle- a reality that is filled with misconceptions and stereotypes! Again creating another discussion and exploreatory topic for children to engage in individually or as part of a whole class project; furthermore combined with other books about different realities and cultures this picturebook would be a great addition to a PSHE lesson on stereotyping and its effects.
Not only is the narrative detailed, but the illustrations are intricate and only a joy to look through. In terms of accessability for EAL or disengaged readers taking the text away and predicting what the text might say would be a great opportunity and could develop some really detailed discussion and justification of why the children believe these decisions have been made. Not only this, but the illustrations build on intricacy and reading beyond the lines often using hidden images or images that convey more a symbolic meaning than what the reader immediately gets from just simply reading the text.
Whilst this picture book may not be my favourite, it is a definte example of how this genre can be stretched towards KS2 and also how a book can include many cross curricular topics and build links in children's learning within the classroom- you could easily teach a unit on the Artic across most subjects using this text. Overall, a lovely story for older readers with careful considerations of feelings and the cycle of emotions. ...more
A beautiful and poignant narrative, perfectly accompanied by illustrations that provide perspective, depth and emotions. 'The Journey' focuses on the A beautiful and poignant narrative, perfectly accompanied by illustrations that provide perspective, depth and emotions. 'The Journey' focuses on the tale of a family forced to leave their home because of war and follows their journey to find somewhere safe.
The narrative is filled with symbols and emotions making the reader question the events of the tale and how each individual character feels about the events happening to them. However, the narrative is only part of the picture, the illustrations add layers of depth and make this tale something that you could easily spend hours on in the classroom.
The illustrations each provide an individual perspective, that opens more about the narrative than simply looking at the words. The illustrations include many references to fairy tales, creating an idea of how issues like this are displayed within society. Particularly effective, is the use of black and shadow to display the ideas of war and death- the all consuming black presence on some of the pages help to make the message of impact and consequences clear and could be really poignant in conveying other realities to children in the classroom. Despite this sense of sadness, the colours almost present a sense of positivity and hope which provides the reader with the determination to see the journey of the characters throughout.
Overall, having waited to read this picture book for a long time it has exceeded all expectations I had and definitely need to re read this book again to take time to consider the many ways it could be used throughout the primary classroom and even throughout the Primary school. Would recommend to anyone that wants to expand their perspective and challenge their ideas on the world that they live in. ...more
Loading...
