Author & Illustrators
A Traveller girl creates her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. She plays it enthusiastically, but it sounds terrible! Ignoring warnings not to awaken the ogre in the hills, Ossiri goes there to practise playing her instrument. Will she wake the ogre, and will it appreciate her playing? Told by a Romani storyteller and a picture book author, this original tale offers a fascinating insight into Travelling lifestyles and cultures.
A thoroughly enjoyable football-themed read set in 19th-century Sheffield. This book tells the story of Lijah – a Romani boy living in a Traveller camp. Lijah enjoys collecting scrap with his dad and brother, travelling on the cart and listening to his dad’s stories by the fire.
Lijah reluctantly starts school and at first, he struggles with reading and faces prejudice when some of the other children call him ‘gypsy’ or ‘tramp’. However, he soon discovers a fascination for a new game called football and finds a way to join in with the other boys.
Back home, Lijah meets a local businessman called Jack Davis. Over time, Jack bonds with Lijah over his passion for football and tells him about a famous Romani player called Rab Howell. Can Lijah follow in his new hero’s footsteps while still staying true to his roots and keeping peace with his dad?
This quick and compelling read deals with big themes of heritage, family, changing times and prejudice in sport. The story provides an original new angle into the stream of football storybooks available, and it was interesting to consider the time when professional football was first becoming popular and the legacy of Sheffield in football history, as well as to learn about Rab Howell. Many young readers will relate to the difficulty Lijah encounters balancing cultural traditions with modern life, as well as the tensions between family expectations and following one’s passions.
When Polonius the pit pony escapes from the coal mine he’s worked in all his life, he joins a family of Travellers. Although he enjoys the freedom and the fresh air that their lifestyle offers, he wishes he could give something back to the family in return.
When the chance arrives for him to do something to help, he rises to the challenge, and uses his intelligence and skills to save the day.
Based on true events and retold by a master of the oral tradition, this story bears witness to the Traveller values of independence, initiative, courage and hard work.
Richard O’Neill’s The Can Caravan is a heartwarming celebration of traveller community spirit, inter-generational bonds and homes of different shapes and sizes.
When young Janie’s elderly friend faces losing her home, empathetic Janie devises a plan to build her a new caravan, with a little help from her friends.
This story wonderfully highlights the joy of working together and the power of community action. It subtly champions sustainability and resourcefulness, making it a lovely tale of unity and kindness for children.
Children learning about houses and homes or community values will enjoy this inclusive and uplifting picturebook.
Part of the Traveller Tales series by Richard O’Neill, this story invites warm and authentic discussions about what learning might look like for different people once they step outside the classroom.
Sonny is usually on top of his schoolwork, but a hectic family wedding weekend gets in the way. He’s busy painting the wedding cart, working out routes and helping out his neighbours. He never even notices his books going missing. Dreading the Monday morning walk to his teacher’s desk, without his homework books, Sonny is surprised to find that his weekend of hands-on learning is valued in ways he never expected.
This empathetic story from Child’s Play is a brilliant window into Traveller heritage as well as a celebration of different learning experiences and ways to be clever.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Any other comments
Any other comments
