Publisher: Bloomsbury Education

Let’s Talk About When Someone Dies

Non-fiction, Picturebook

Part of the Molly Potter ‘Let’s Talk’ series, this useful book takes a matter-of-fact approach to bereavement, using language appropriate for the primary age group. It is an important addition to the many children’s books on this topic that are metaphor-based; this text provides an honest, factual and straight-to-the-point guide to approaching the death of a loved one. It answers practical questions such as ‘What might you feel when someone dies?’ and ‘What happens at a funeral?’ in age appropriate ways without being patronising.

The book recognises that there are different views on what happens after death without offering an opinion. It is a brilliant tool for adults to read together with children facing the prospect of recent or future bereavement. The book also provides a framework for adults to know how to broach the subject, with extra guidance for parents and caregivers in the back.

With a lovely section at the end on ways to remember the person who died, this is a vital resource for every school’s toolkit.

The Time Machine Next Door: Artists and a Disappearing Dog

Iszi Lawrence

Chapter book

We love this series about time travel and each volume is just right in length and format for 7-9 year olds.

In this latest adventure, Alex and Sunil hop into the machine and blip through different eras associated with art.

The story is a brilliant hook for art history, letting readers meet famous artists up close as Sunil works on his own project. The history facts are woven directly into the pages and this is a fun way to pick up new information as the story unfolds. With the greedy Mr Shaykes constantly trying to loot historical treasures, it’s an entertaining and only mildly perilous adventure that’s sure to be a hit in Lower Key Stage 2.

I Tell Myself I’m Awesome

Chris Piascik & Joshua Seigal

Poetry

This poetry collection from Joshua Seigal is a good choice for school libraries and book corners, with plenty of humour and lots of wordplay and puns. Some of the poems include vocabulary that will stretch even the strongest Year 6 readers, while others are very easily accessible to much younger readers. This range is one of the strengths of the book.

The cover art leans into the silliness of Seigal’s style, and many of the poems are undeniably and joyously silly, but there are also some that tackle heavier emotions. These are handled sensitively and powerfully and the juxtaposition with the silliness of previous poems is effective. The order of poems is well planned too, so that the more difficult emotional themes are followed by themes of love and optimism, so the overall effect is of giving space for those hard issues while keeping them in a healthy balance.

The collection encourages writing for pleasure. The playfulness of the language used offers children the freedom to express themselves beyond the rigid rules of correct English, whether by example with poems like Ponky Woem or by explicitly discussing the freedom of writing as in Poetic Licence and Saturday Morning.

Escape From Amritsar

Bali Rai

Chapter book

Amritsar, India, 1919. A city on the brink of violence, as tensions between the local people and the British colonial rulers explode.

12-year-old Arjan Singh learns that his father has been falsely charged with serious crimes. But there has been a terrible massacre in the city, as British troops fired on unarmed Indians, and the city is under curfew. Anger and fear have left the population seething and danger lurks around every corner.

Arjan sets out on a perilous mission to save his father, in the face of armed troops, martial curfew, and vicious local bandits. Can he escape and get to his father before it’s too late?

Under Fire

Sufiya Ahmed

Chapter book

If you want to learn about little-known corners of history or unsung narratives, Sufiya Ahmed is a great author to turn to. Under Fire is an engaging read that will help bring fresh understanding to classroom topics about World War 2. The story follows a 12-year-old Anglo-Indian boy called Hassan, who leaves Blitz-torn Coventry for Calcutta in 1943 to stay with his grandfather.

Once in India, Hassan and his friend Jaya confront the stark injustices of the British rule. Before long, the pair are plunged into a nail-biting plot to help the war effort.

It’s fast-paced and gripping, and yet beneath the dangerous escapade the story beautifully tackles themes of grief, injustice and letting go. Certainly a story to pack a punch – both historical and emotional!

Terrible True Tales: Saxons

Terry Deary

Chapter book

From the author of the popular Horrible Histories, this book is a set of four of Terry Deary‘s ‘Saxon Tales’ short stories.

Our favourite of the four is the story about King Vortigern (who may or may not have existed in real life, but many believe that he did) and his servant Mervyn, as they are faced with the threat of invading Saxons and Picts. The book also includes The Shepherd Who Ate His Sheep, The Witch Who Faced the Fire and The Lord Who Lost His Head – covering different perspectives on Anglo-Saxon life without ever passing the opportunity to explore the gruesome bits with characteristic humour.

Each story provides a relatively short text, which is accompanied by fun illustrations, making the volume easily accessible to most pupils in lower KS2.

It’s OK To Say No

Molly Potter & Sarah Jennings

Non-fiction, Picturebook

From PSHE expert and bestselling author of How Are You Feeling Today? comes an important and reassuring picture book, perfect for starting conversations with young children about consent.

This book is all about asking for, giving and not giving permission, which is usually called consent. Using child-friendly explanations and colourful illustrations by Sarah Jennings, this book helps you to teach children that it’s OK to say ‘no’ when they feel uncomfortable, and that they should respect when others say ‘no’ to them too.

The topics that feel difficult to discuss with your children are probably the ones you most need to talk to them about. From personal space to sharing, and from privacy to asking for help, It’s OK to Say No explains why learning to respect yourself and others is so important. Featuring extra notes for grown-ups on tackling these sensitive topics with little ones, this reassuring picture book is the perfect resource to read with children aged 4+ and start important conversations about respect and consent.

Let’s Talk books help you start meaningful conversations with your child. Written by an expert and covering topics like feelings, relationships, diversity and mental health, these comforting picture books support healthy discussion right from the start.

The Domesday Cows

Iszi Lawrence

Chapter book

Who could resist a book with the title The Domesday Cows? Coupled with being written by Iszi Lawrence, whose books I have enjoyed in the past, this was an irresistible draw for me.

This is a story about the culture clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. Billed as a comedy, this is a romp through the early days of the Norman Invasion and how it impacted the Anglo-Saxon people already living in England (and Wales). It is full of historical details, all cleverly disguised as a funny story. The fact that deer, for example, were no longer permitted to be killed as they belonged to the Normans is all wrapped up in an episode where a deer behaves incredibly stupidly, and the villagers can do nothing about it. I also did not realise the Normans brought rabbits into the country.

The amusing illustrations by Davide Ortu start each chapter with a hint of what is to come, and the tiptoeing cows are very funny. There is a lot to unpack in what seems like a simple book.

My Family the Enemy

Karen McCombie

Chapter book

My Family the Enemy is set in London during World War I. Fred Müller’s life is turned upside down when the police take his dad away and imprison him in Alexandra Palace, along with other men of German heritage. Suddenly, Fred finds that he and his family are the enemy just because of where they originate from.

This is a fascinating story which offers a perspective that is rarely seen in children’s books. The book’s themes of bullying, prejudice and patriotic hysteria are still relevant today and the story is certainly one that will develop empathy in its readers. Fred is bullied at school by pupils and teachers because of his German heritage, and his once-popular family bakery loses much of its custom and is deliberately targeted in racist attacks. There are parallels between the lives of German-born UK residents and the experience of Jews in Nazi Germany: deliberate vandalism of shops, loss of livelihoods and the stereotyping and discrimination.

The hysteria among the British public is also powerfully portrayed, as rumours spread and people start scaremongering. I liked the historical sweep of the story; the book moves between time periods and generations within the one family. Although the book deals with sadness and loss, it is – ultimately – hopeful. The family is resilient and pulls together. Friends provide support too. Fred survives and goes on to have a family of his own and their future is a freer one with greater opportunities.

Terrible True Tales: First World War

Terry Deary

Chapter book

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary presents an exciting collection of tales from the First World War based on thrilling true stories – four books in one! Perfect for history fans (and those who don’t know they’re history fans yet) aged 7+.

The War Game: Flanders, 1914. The German and British soldiers in the trenches make an unofficial Christmas truce, with carols and a football match. But the officers aren’t happy…
The Bomber Balloon: November 1916 – the war on the Home Front. A German Zeppelin crashes during a raid on Essex. Can a constable and a schoolgirl round up the armed air crew?
The Last Flight: France 1917 – the war in the air. An air observer is shot down behind enemy lines and meets the German flying ace, the famous Red Baron.
The Pigeon Spy: Flanders, 1918. The extraordinary true story of a pigeon, a black bird called Cher Ami, who saved nearly 200 lives.

Terry Deary’s Terrible True Tales: First World War explores the First World War through the eyes of children and real people who could have lived at the time. Packed with thoughtful illustrations by James de la Rue, these stories feature real people and take place in some of the most recognisable First World War settings. Featuring notes for the reader to help extend learning and exploration of the historical period.

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Publisher: Bloomsbury Education

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