Publisher: Faber & Faber

Mama Car

Picturebook

‘Mama Car’ is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written story. This story is perfect for children of all ages and helps represent families with members with disabilities. The story follows the Mama Car, detailing the fun had around the house and the park. This book would be perfect to read in KS1 or KS2 to help children see wheelchair users positively represented in a story. It was great to see a ‘Dear Adults,’ message at the back and get to hear from Lucy, the author, who puts it brilliantly about how wheelchairs can provoke strong feelings, not all of them positive and how important it is for children to see how the child in the story plays with the wheelchair, is comforted and is so used to being around it they call it Mama Car.

Musical World

Jeffrey Boakye

Non-fiction

Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical World presents an exploration of 20th and 21st-century global history through the lens of 40 influential songs. By examining artists like Shakira and John Lennon, Boakye reveals how music reflects pivotal historical moments and social changes worldwide, offering a unique and accessible way for young teens to engage with significant historical events and understand the link between music and global issues.

This book is the follow-up to Musical Truth, which focuses on British history, whereas Musical World widens out into a global perspective. Both can be read and enjoyed as standalones.

With its playlist format spanning a range of musical genres, the book introduces important artists alongside topics like discrimination and liberation. Musical World provides a unique and thought-provoking experience of learning, which is bound to offer young people an appealing way to engage with global history. By encouraging critical thinking and harnessing the power of music to connect with and comment on the world around us, the book becomes a highly valuable and appealing non-fiction choice for children in today’s secondary schools.

Chris Mould’s War of the Worlds (Graphic Novel)

Chris Mould & H. G. Wells

Graphic novel

Chris Mould’s War of the Worlds, inspired by the classic science-fiction story by H.G. Wells, is a stunning illustrated novel designed to introduce the younger generation to this timeless story of aliens and adventure.

War of the Worlds is set in the late 1800s, where our young hero, Leon, witnesses the arrival of strange extra-terrestrial pods from space. The excitement of the people swiftly turns to horror as giant metallic creatures emerge, wreaking havoc, destruction and death on anyone and anything that gets in their way. Leon records this invasion through jottings and sketches, whilst trying to find a way to stop the monsters and keep his loved ones safe.

The story is ‘inspired by’ Wells’ original tale and has been significantly reduced and simplified for a younger audience, but the essence of the story has been captured. Whilst this is described as a graphic novel, there is quite a lot of text among the graphic panels, and we might argue whether this is actually more of a heavily illustrated novel. Essentially, Mould’s distinctive illustrative style suits the story beautifully and easily captures the imagination of even the most reluctant reader.

Similar to his Iron Man book, Mould has taken a beloved classic and stylistically brought it back to life. I would strongly recommend this to those introducing their pupils to some older classic novels, or reluctant readers who can have a break from reading text to study the incredible and detailed pictures.

Danny McGee Drinks the Sea

Andy Stanton & Neal Layton

Picturebook

A super silly picture from Andy Stanton – best known for the Mr Gum books.

Danny McGee drinks the sea after betting his sister (Fannie Mcgee) that he could. Once he drinks all of the sea, he starts to munch, crunch and devour everything in his sight: trees, mountains, animals, insects and even people. Once he starts, he does not seem to be able to stop. He carries on until he has eaten everything in the world and there is nothing left; he has just left one person – his sister. What will she make of her brother eating everything, and what will she do?

A funny and boldly illustrated story book, which made a great bedtime story for my little boy. We loved the way that it rhymed all the way through, rhyming with the word McGee until it seemed that there were no more words to rhyme. The story is silly and full of nonsense, but that is what makes it so successful and enjoyable to read.

The book would be great to use within the classroom as an EYFS or KS1 read-aloud and could be used as a stimulus for children to create their own silly story with a rhyming pattern in it, as a lighthearted link to seaside and coast topics, or just for the pure storytime fun.

Musical Truth

Jeffrey Boakye & Ngadi Smart

Non-fiction

Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical Truth is a captivating journey through more than seventy years of black British musical history. The book serves as both a historical guide for children and young people, introducing them to remarkable artists, and a trip down memory lane for adults. Boakye’s personal touch is evident from the introduction, as he reflects on his own experiences growing up in the 1980s, a time that will seem distant for younger readers and recent and relevant to others.

Written in the first person, Musical Truth is a treasure trove of songs and artists, some familiar and others less known, offering readers a rich tapestry of musical heritage. The book’s structure, with its short and pithy chapters, makes it easy to digest, allowing readers to quickly gain knowledge and historical facts and uncover hidden gems.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its ability to inspire readers to explore further. As you read, you might find yourself pausing to check out old video clips, playlists, and hunt for footage on YouTube. Boakye even provides a dedicated playlist at musicaltruthplaylist.co.uk, ensuring that the musical journey continues beyond the pages of the book.

Beware though, you might lose an entire morning immersed in music – although that’s hardly a bad thing! Musical Truth is not just a book; it’s an experience that celebrates the impact of black British artists on our musical landscape. Whether you’re a young reader discovering these artists for the first time or an adult reminiscing about the past, Boakye’s work is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to connect us across generations, as well as offering political commentary on modern Britain today through the lens of Black music.

Glasgow Boys

Margaret McDonald

Chapter book

Two boys can’t remember the last time they had a hug.

Meet Finlay. He’s studying for his nursing degree at Glasgow University, against all the odds. But coming straight from care means he has no support network.
How can he write essays, find paid work and NOT fall for the beautiful boy at uni, when he’s struggling to even feed himself?

Meet Banjo. He’s trying to settle in with his new foster family and finish high school. But he can’t forget all that has happened, and his anger and fear keep boiling over.
How can he hold on to the one good person in his life, when his outbursts keep threatening his already uncertain future?

Can Finlay and Banjo let go of the past before it drags them under?

A Drop of Golden Sun

Kate Saunders

Chapter book

It’s 1973, and Jenny has been chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to jet off to the South of France and star in a major Hollywood movie.

Here she meets cast and crew, including fellow child actors Belinda and John. But life on set turns out to be far from straightforward. The cast are harbouring more than a few secrets. And as the cameras roll, tangled lives and mysterious pasts begin to unspool.

A deliciously heart-warming story that is happy and sad and very rewarding.

Bunny’s New Brakes

Caroline Crowe

Picturebook

From the duo who brought you the Christmas smash-hit “Santa’s New” series comes an Easter special! Blaze the bunny’s scooter crash threatens to ruin Easter unless there’s a way to make more chocolate eggs in time?

A perfect day, no clouds and sunny,
And look here comes a little bunny . . .
Oh dear she’s coming rather fast,
‘She’s heading for the egg display!’
‘My brakes won’t work, quick out the way!’

Poor Blaze is not like all the other bunnies. Instead of lolloping around peacefully, she likes to travel FAST on her scooter. But disaster strikes when she crashes into the chocolate eggs that the Easter bunnies need for Easter morning! How will Blaze find a fix in time? Perhaps instead of chocolate eggs, she can create a chocolate bunny mould?

The Great Theatre Rescue

Judith Eagle

Chapter book

This gloriously detailed historical novel about theatre, set at the beginning of the 20th Century, draws an image of a buzzy, busy London theatre district, pulling together historical details with a fast-paced and exciting plot.

The main character, Charley, is exuberant and vivacious, shining as brightly as the London theatre lights. The theatre setting is a backdrop for a tale about Charley’s character growth, as she overcomes a nightmarish stint at a girls’ boarding school, a long trek from the south coast back to London and the scheming of a nefarious Fagin-esque London criminal, in the process making a friend, uncovering family secrets, and discovering how to overcome stage fright.

There are shades of Dickens, with its reference to orphans and foundlings, the clear London divide between rich and poor, and a richly descriptive text that showcases the rabbit-warren streets of London theatreland. Through the dawning of a new age with electric light and the onset of famous acts such as Duke Ellington, combined with the author’s homage to the theatre magic of Noel Streatfield books, this is a tale of a delightfully flawed main character and a twisty plot that emits a warmth and magnetism that is hard to put down.

Squishy McFluff: Supermarket Sweep!

Ella Okstad & Pip Jones

Chapter book

From the funniest voice in young fiction today, the second in an irresistible series for young readers about imaginary friends in hilarious rhyming text and with adorable illustrations by Ella Okstad.

Can you see him? My kitten? He has eyes big and round
His miaow is so sweet (but it makes not a sound!)
Imagine him quick! Have you imagined enough?
Oh, good, you can see him! It’s Squishy McFluff!

When Mum drags Ava to the supermarket, her invisible cat Squishy McFluff can’t resist coming along, with hilarious, chaotic and surprising results!

Told in full colour throughout, this is the perfect stepping stone from picture books to older fiction.

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