BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: Terry and the Brilliant Book (available here)
Author/Illustrator: Nicola Kent
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Publication Date: February 2019
Most Suitable For: Reception & KS1
Reviewed By: Rachel Caddick (@GetKidsin2Books), Teacher & book blogger
Terry and Sue are best friends. Every year on their birthdays they always buy each other a ball. This year, however, Sue buys Terry a book. He’s rather taken aback and not really sure what to do with it. They try batting it and bouncing it but it doesn’t work very well. Eventually Terry starts reading the book and in no time he’s hooked. He just can’t put it down. He’s so absorbed in his reading that he neglects his friendship with Sue. Sue begins to regret buying Terry the book. That is until she starts reading it too.
The themes of friendship, tension and compromise are explored in a reassuring way. The book is also a celebration of reading: the sheer joy of getting lost in a book, and the fun that’s to be had in talking and laughing about a book with a friend. In an age where reading for pleasure is on the decline, it’s so important to see reading depicted as a pastime that’s as enjoyable as sport, a trip to the cinema, and playing in the park.
The cheerful illustrations painted in sweet shop hues using a combination of colour washes, printing and bold blocks of colour will really appeal to young readers. There’s lots of lovely detail and plenty of humour in the pictures too. I especially liked the end papers: glorious double page spreads of all different types of balls and books.
Curriculum Links:
PHSE – This book could be used to link to PSHE when talking about friendship and friendship problems. It could also be a starting point for a circle time discussion about children’s interests and hobbies.
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You can order Terry and the Brilliant Book online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Rachel for reviewing it.