Earnest is a bear with a big heart.
He keeps all his favourite things inside his heart.
When Earnest’s heart is full, he feels as though he can do anything!
But is his heart big enough to hold a lion?
If we make room in our hearts for love, it leaves us feeling better and braver with bigger hearts than ever, even if love has to leave.
After defeating the Shadow King, Chiri and Dai are settling into their new lives in the magical land of Puddin’.
However, there is always more evil to fight against, and this time, the evil is coming to them.
After being invited to the Obsidian Maze to fight the sinister MidKnight, Chiri and Dai are about to encounter the deepest darkness there ever was, and they’re not sure if they’re both going to make it safely back to their friends.
When a little blackbird questions why an old oak tree just stands there doing nothing, a gentle journey of discovery begins. We see all the ways in which the tree is, in fact, very busy. We learn about how the tree is central to its ecosystem – the many ways in which it offers shelter and sustenance to the wildlife all around. And when the tree itself is under attack, the blackbird is quick to help defend it.
Wish Upon a Star: The Science, Magic and Meaning of Stars is a richly illustrated guide to the myths, histories and science of stars. Covering their various forms, including constellations and galaxies, how we study stars and our connections to stars, including navigation, astronomy, art and mythology from around the world.
Packed with tales as old as time, unsolved mysteries and stories stranger than fiction, this introduction to urban myths contains super-succinct summaries of different urban legends and folk tales, grouped roughly by period and then theme. The range is global, which enables themes to be compared and cross-referenced across time and cultures. While many of the tales were familiar to me, many others were not. I found myself fascinated by how similar legends spring up in completely different places, responding to shared human concerns. Each story summary is followed by a very brief and measured discussion of context, plausibility and origin. This allows the authors to point out links between story traditions, identify nuggets of truth and expose wild embellishments.
Very often, the authors’ analyses pinpoint where the legends began and suggest why they were believed and passed on. This is a real strength of the book. It mitigates the horror of some of the creepier tales and provides useful warnings against disinformation – a crucial theme for today’s teens living in a world of fake news and viral story snippets.
It will appeal to KS3 students who are still building up their reading stamina, as well as lovers of the bizarre and macabre. It is broken into short sections, illustrated with contemporary, age-appropriate graphics. This structure makes it easy to dip in and out, but beware: it’s hard to put down!
Cactus Kid has exiled himself to the Neverending Desert to master magic and prove to his all-powerful father that he is the best wizard alive. All he needs is a piece of star rock to supercharge his magic, but he’s not the only one after it. Caught in the crossfire between rival gangs of the Clams and the Shells, he must compete in the epic and death-defying moto-brawl race to get a single slice of the star rock. Meanwhile, a shadowy lizard figure is scouring the desert. Armed with a mystical compass, this bounty hunter is searching for any magic he can get his hands on. Once the Moto-Brawl begins Cactus Kid learns that sometimes even lone heroes need allies. But will he and his new-found friends be able to see off the competition and the mysterious bounty hunter to emerge victorious before sunset?
When a curious little mouse discovers a boat by his front door, he climbs aboard and accidentally sets out to sea. But it’s not easy being a little mouse in a big world. Drifting farther and farther away, Mouse passes volcanic lands, sails through icy waters and battles a ferocious storm… But will he ever find his way back home?
We love non-fiction books that take readers to faraway places, and this one does the job beautifully, all the while focusing on science and the role of scientists whose job it is to chart different places and habitats.
Young readers are invited to join an international team on a vital mission to Antarctica to survey the unique environment and vast wildlife, from introducing the dedicated team and their specialist equipment to exploring the varied creatures and environmental challenges encountered in this remote region. The clear structure, aided by maps and diagrams, makes even complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging.
This book is a superb resource for Key Stage 2 and especially for children who love exploration, habitats or frozen worlds. With its bright and appealing illustrations and a hopeful message about the future of Antarctica, it’s a great non-fiction choice for learning about our planet’s wild spaces and the dedicated individuals who explore them.
We love Flying Eye’s quality non-fiction books about the incredible places around the world. The Sahara transports readers to one of the planet’s most extreme yet interesting habitats.
Covering vast stretches of North Africa, the Sahara Desert is depicted as a land of resilience. Readers will find out about its formation, its diverse landscapes from mountains and rock structures to dunes and hidden waterways, and its exciting array of wildlife, including camels, scorpions, and even crocodiles.
Readers will also be fascinated to learn about the communities of people that have inhabited the Sahara, from ancient civilisations to modern nomadic groups. With Flying Eye’s signature high production quality, this is an essential addition to any KS2 bookshelf, especially for armchair travellers and geography enthusiasts.
Is It a Seed? is an imaginative picture book that encourages wonder. A young girl and her brother discover an unusual seed, prompting a flurry of speculation about what it might become – from a tiny flower to a giant’s beanstalk.
The story captures something of the wonder of planting seeds for young children, making it a perfect classroom choice for EYFS children learning about growing plants or life cycles.
The bright illustrations vividly depict these potential scenarios imagined as the family plants the seed. The book also gently encourages a connection with the natural world, making it a delightful read-aloud that celebrates curiosity and the magic of growing plants.
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)
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