The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty & Thomas Docherty

On reflection, it seems that I’m drawn to picture books that dealt with loss. Over the years I have reviewed The Laugh, Bird is Dead and The Heart and the Bottle, so it is clear I find them books worth seeking out. The Hare-Shaped Hole now makes the list of books that deal with this subject in a sublime manner.

Bertle and Hurtle are the best of pals despite one fond of traveling at pace while the other takes it nice and slow. However, one day Hurtle was no longer there and Bertle was heartbroken. His life now had a void, a hare shaped void that reminds him of his loss.

Anger fills Bertle’s soul as he aches for his friend. He starts to hate the memory of him, much to his shame. He shouts at the hare-shaped hole in his life, wishing it to go until the day he meets a bear who teaches Bertle how these memories are a gift to cherish.

The author and illustrator combine in a brilliant way. The subtle style offsets the harsh subject so well that you don’t expect the tale to take the twist it does.

Now for the teacher bit. No one knows when loss will hit home and this will always make it important for books like this to be in primary schools. The fact that this has a focus on a friendship adds a different dimension as most books focus on a family relationship.

A profound book that teaches about one of the hardest lessons in life.

The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist by Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

As a reader, I really enjoy when a book catches your eye in the book shop and it is one that no one has mentioned. This is why visiting book shops is important in a day and age when pesky algorithms push a lot our way. I’m pretty sure mine would not have shown me a Swedish translation and I’d not have found The Pinchers.

Theo has a real dilemma. It isn’t that he isn’t good at things as he is. He just happens to not be able to tell a lie. And in a family of crooks who thrive as thieves, not being able to tell a fib is a bit of an issue if you’re expected to go into the family business.

As the family plan a major diamond heist, Theo finds himself in a spot of bother. How can he keep this secret from Paul, his police officer neighbour? Each character has their moments, yet my favourite was Grandma. Already doing ‘hardtime’, but still up for the thrill of the heist and showing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The illustrations are top drawer – Per Gustavsson is one to seek out in the future. The style of the off-kilter characters is great and adds to the story. There are also some cool activities to enjoy to train yourself to be a crook. When books have an element of fun interactivity it is always welcomed.

Now for the teacher bit. Finding books that are perfect for Y3 (and those Y2 children you want to push) is quite tricky. So many children’s ‘novels’ weigh in at 300ish pages and for those making the leap from engaging picture books to longer texts that is often a step too far. At 73 pages, The Pinchers is perfect with great illustrations breaking up the text an added bonus.

Steal, pilfer, thieve this book if you get the chance (or ask nicely to read it!)

Cactus Kid: The Battle for Star Rock Mountain by Emmanuel Guerrero

Flying Eye Books are a cracking publisher and one of the many strings to their bow is the graphic novel output. The Hilda series, Monster Support Group, Nightlights and Juniper Mae are just some of the brilliant graphic novels that they have put out over the years. It is safe to say that the madness of Cactus Kid by Emmanuel Guerrero can stand proud in that company.

The world has been crying out for the story of a Cactus training to be a wizard so he can return home as the most powerful wizard ever and prove his family wrong. With a back story like that driving you on, you’re willing to do anything.

Like all good adventures, very little goes to plan and Cactus finds himself drawn into competing in the 12th annual MotoBrawl and caught in the middle of two gangs desperate to stop each other no matter the cost. Add to that a giant lizard hunting down Cactus and you know the ride is going to get bumpy. It is clear that every mad idea that Emmanuel Guerrero has had appears on the pages and the book is great for it. If I were a Primary school child, my head would have fell off (in a good way) at the bonkers brilliance of Cactus Kid.

Now for the teacher bit. Below is the link to the findings of the Literacy Trust’s research around reading engagement and how comics or graphic novels can have a real positive impact on children as readers.

https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-engagement-with-comics-in-2023/

Cactus Kid – class comic!

The Code of Life by Carla Hafner & Mieke Scheier

Flying Eye Books are an absolute belter of a publisher in many ways AND still their non-fiction texts stand out as some of the very best out there. The Code of Life is one of my favourite types of non-fiction book as it takes a very niche subject and drills right into it. You can’t help but feel super clever after reading it.

I found the presenting of the history of how we came to know about DNA a fascinating story in which many people worked on an idea over time. It is truly an example of standing on the shoulders of giants from Monks in Austria to Scientists studying flies in America to the present day. Starting with the history before moving onto modern day developments and examples of how DNA impacts on us as humans made perfect sense.

The way the illustrations and scientific diagrams are used to tell the story of DNA, as well as educate the reader, is brilliant. I have to admit that I felt the content was so comprehensive; the fact it didn’t shy away from being jam packed with technical terms means you could use this as part of KS3 & KS4 revision. To be honest, I gave it to my GCSE taking daughter to help her with her mocks.

Now for the teacher bit. Of course, as a non-fiction book, there is so much information that you could use it enhance your science units on evolution and inheritance, however if I had to pick out a single page it would be the one about cancer. Although addressing such an issue can be tricky – there are great books like A Story About Cancer – it is something that children may be helped to understand from a factual standpoint. A double page spread on ‘mistakes’ that can happen presents the information in a clear manner without any emotive language. Explaining the science behind something would go a long way to help some children process a situation they may be experiencing.

A book filled with learning – crack the code of life.

Bird is Dead by Tiny Fisscher & Herma Starreveld

One day Bird dies. That is it. The story in a nutshell. Bird is dead and the other birds chat about what this may or may not mean. Tiny Fisscher and Herma Starreveld do a cracking job in taking the straightforward and squeezing out every last drop.

Each bird ponders what this means. Is he really dead? How can they be sure? Doubt creeps in the minds of some, while certainty fills the heads of others. Once agreed that Bird is actually dead, his friends (and a few who question if they did like him) need to decide what to do next.

I adore the artwork in Bird is Dead. The quality reminds of animated TV shows from years gone by before animation become more glossy. The colourful patchwork appearance of the birds on the muted background makes for a captivating experience.

Now for the teacher bit. Picture books are brilliant for exploring the big ideas and emotions. There is no bigger emotion than grief, yet there are many great examples of picture books that deal with it well such as The Laugh. Bird is Dead can happily sit alongside those books that address a tricky situation for children to come to terms with.

Bird is Dead – Book is Great!

After the Fall by Dan Santat

Some books you know are brilliant yet you’ve never ever read them. After the Fall by Dan Santat was one of these books for me. Always praised – even converting many to be huge fans of Dan’s – it was a book that I’d seen many times from afar, yet never held in my hands. Thankfully, I’ve fixed that!

The story is quirky and inventive as it explores what happens in the aftermath of a tragic accident. Humpty has well and truly lost his mojo. In the past, he wasn’t phased by heights at all but now he can’t face the smallest of ladders. His life now is one long series of missed opportunities; a one of utter sorrow and disappointment.

It is rare that a picture book throws a curve book ending that an adult can’t see, but my word, Dan literally blew my socks off with what a shock ending (that also makes perfect sense). No spoilers but you will kick yourself for never making the leap yourself.

The art, like every Dan Santat book, is a pure delight. His use of space, colour and storytelling is first class. It is little surprise that his books are almost instant buys for many…even if it is to just pour over the beautiful pages.

Now for the teacher bit. I was a huge fan of Babette Cole’s offbeat takes on traditional tales and this can sit proudly in that niche. Books like After the Fall are useful tools for getting children to ‘think’ like a writer. We have all been in the classroom to hear children moan about not having any ideas, yet this is a great way to highlight that writing can come from asking ‘what if’ questions about stories we already know. Taking a well known story and putting your own slant on it is all writing is about, this is why we need to fill the children’s heads with as many stories as we can…starting with this one.

An utterly eggcellent read! (I know, I know)

The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith

Dan Smith is one of the most adaptable children’s authors currently working right now. He is able to move between genres with ease such as horror with The Invasion of Crooked Oak or high octane adventure like Big Game, that has been turned into a big budget movie. With The Wall Between Us, he returns to historical fiction of WWII and its aftermath.

I’m a huge fan of WWII and the aftermath. When the Berlin Wall fell is one of those first ‘I remember where I was’ memories for me. However, I’ve only just started to understand how awful and bizarre it must have been when it was introduced. Dan Smith does a great job at doing this through a simple story of friendship that could be stronger than the might of an army.

Anja and Monika have grown up together in the same street. Best friends who are each other’s world…until the day living on the opposite side of the street to each other changes their lives forever. The army moves in to separate the city and a wall is hastily built. Those stuck on the East have to live in fear of friends and neighbours turning on each other while those in the West can only look on in hope that their loved ones can find a way out.

Anja bucks the trend – she seems to be the only person wanting to cross over to the East and through her clever observations of Otto the cat, she finds a way. The joy that Anja has at being able to visit Monika quickly sours when she becomes trapped. Every single exchange could mean death or imprisonment to every single character so each has to step carefully as they navigate this new ‘country’. Can Monika and her family escape? Will Anja be trapped forever? Life changing questions that were lived by so many drive the story. Fiction drenched in fact makes for an amazing read.

Now for the teacher bit. The Wall Between Us is a brilliant example of a book that teachers love to teach writing from. Within the book there are examples of letters, diary entries and government reports that are interwoven alongside a fantastic narrative. Add to that the glossary and key facts of the events around the Berlin Wall and the impact it had, it is a real find for teachers who teach their writing through high quality texts. A great text to use alongside this is Flight For Freedom which explores the plight of another family stuck behind the wall.

The Wall Between Us – a nail biting read until the very end.

Shadowhall Academy by Phil Hickes

Phil Hickes won over the book reading world with his Aveline Jones series which walked the tightrope of pre-teen horror like an expert. Enough scares and creeps to enthral a reader without having to use gore. That is something easier said than done. Next up is Shadowhall Academy which ticks all the boxes for any horror fans.

Reluctant, grumpy, a little less brave than she thought she was – Lilian starts her new boarding school. The tall tale of Cold Mary, a girl who climbed into the walls and froze to death, is whispered amongst the pupils as a way to tease those new to the school. Sometimes, the story goes, you can hear Cold Mary late at night…

Like all good horror, the familiar touchstones help lure in readers in the know while developing a ‘map’ for readers new to the genre. Each ghost story has a grain of truth and Lilian and her friends will find out how true Cold Mary is. Phil Hickes does a great job of ramping up the peril that Lilian faces throughout the text and you are never sure if everyone is going to make it. Nail biting stuff!

The core group of characters that Lilian faces the challenge with are a great mix with the headstrong Serena a personal favourite. Also helping or hindering the girls is Mr Bullen who has a key role as the history buff teacher who draws out the details that the past has forgotten about the grand gothic building long before it was a school.

Now for the teacher bit. Having well-thought out libraries is key to developing a reading culture, including the ‘class library’. To open the discussion between a school library and a class library, I think it is important to consider how overwhelming rows of shelves crammed with books can be. Sometimes the children can’t see the ‘tree’ for the ‘woods’. Any teacher who has come across a bewildered 7 year old staring at a vast selection of book spines will know this. Having the right books for the right age is vital and introducing horror is a great way of developing a mature attitude for young readers. A book like Shadowhall Academy is perfect for a class library so it doesn’t get lost or pop into the ‘wrong’ hands. In a class library, the more mature pupils can be excited about it and get those cool vibes that exploring scares can bring.

Hickes is fast becoming the pre-teen horror master – Can you survive a term at Shadowhall Academy?