When the entirety of Holly’s school are given new phones by CyberSky, a new tech company that have set up in the local area, her best friend starts to behave VERY strangely. She is completely addicted to the games on the new device and no longer seems to want a friendship.
Holly however, has even bigger problems to think about. Whilst up on the hilltop by the new phone mast, she is struck by a strange green ray of electricity which gives her superpowers. A reluctant heroine, she is coached by her superhero-loving brother Joe and when Holly goes missing on a visit to CyberSky and then she and Joe discover strange living matter within the phones, she must channel both her bravery and her superpowers to find out what is going on and uncover the strange secrets of CyberSky.
This is such an engaging story with timely, relevant, engaging themes. The chatty first person narrative and the mix of comic strip and chapter book format make this a unique read and a winning format, particularly for less confident readers.
Trixie is the smallest person in Primrose Tower, but also the loudest and the building’s residents have given her an affectionate nickname: THUNDERBOOTS.
When it’s time for Trixie to start school, she is very excited. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate in class, though. And it’s really hard to read letters. Maybe what Trixie needs is a superpowered plan.
An empowering story about starting school with dyslexia that celebrates everyone’s differences.
The Amazing Power of Activism is the perfect way for young readers to get to grips with the principles of the subject and its terminology. With a clear and entertaining explanation, coupled with comic strips, photographs, and illustrations, it explains what activism is, how it has changed the world, and what people are campaigning for today
Godfrey the Frog is a joyful story which teaches children the importance of accepting themselves and being happy with who they are.
Change happens – sometimes quickly, sometimes seemingly not at all. At the beginning of the story, Godfrey transforms from a small egg to developing ‘a pair of lovely arms’ and growing a ‘long, sticky tongue’. Finally, he transforms into a frog. He imagines how his frog-like state may change, creating many images to make a young reader giggle with glee.
Readers see the seasons change around him, but to Godfrey’s frustration, he remains a frog throughout. Godfrey begins to compare himself to the other animals around him – even the snail has a stunning shell and the deer has amazing antlers!
After wishing to be different, he slowly but surely learns that being a frog isn’t so bad after all, teaching children an important life lesson about self-acceptance.
The story concludes with a step-by-step diagram of how a tiny little egg transforms into a frog. A perfect way to teach little ones about life cycles.
When a boy stumbles into a blank book, he thinks it looks very empty . . . until he meets a determined paintbrush. Although the boy is certain that he can’t draw or paint, he’s encouraged to try-and the results are surprising. An ordinary square can become a dumper truck, and a messy blob of paint can become a Messy-saurus (that’s a scribbly sort of dinosaur). In fact, it soon becomes clear that anything can be turned into something. With a bit of imagination, the possibilities are endless! Written and illustrated by bestselling author Tom McLaughlin, The Boy Who Painted The World is a celebration of creativity and turning mistakes into magic.
Mirabelle is special because she is different. Her mum is a witch and her dad is a fairy and she LOVES getting up to magical mischief. So, her parents’ picnic party in the garden seems the perfect chance to play some pranks on her annoying brother, Wilbur. But when Mirabelle gets caught putting frogspawn in Wilbur’s drink she’s sent inside. It’s so unfair! Why should she have to miss the party? Then a brilliant idea strikes: If she uses a shrinking potion on herself, she’ll be too tiny for anyone to see, so she’ll still be able to enjoy the party! But Mirabelle is about to discover that the garden feels a little more dangerous when you’re no taller than a blade of grass. Have her mischievous ways gone too far this time…?
Gloria is from a family of synchronized swimmers. They are gifted, graceful, and even groovy, and together they ALWAYS win gold at the Artistic Swimming Championships. But Gloria dreams of a prize she doesn’t have to share. So, when the Savannah Games come to town, Gloria decides to find a sport she can win all by herself!
After dabbling in sprinting, gymnastics, and swimming, it dawns on Gloria that competing solo is rather lonely. She misses her family, but is it too late for her to fill the Gloria-sized hole in their team?
Get ready for Gloria to make a splash, as this ambitious hippo learns that winning gold might not be the best prize at all.
Spurred into action when her seagull friend gets poorly from eating plastic, young Stella is soon on a campaign for change. A beach clean up and plastic straw ban sparks her whole community into action and soon Stella is making a big impact. And it’s not long before the little seagull and all its animal friends can live in a better environment.
Gill Lewis is a skilled and engaging storyteller who weaves through her stories some of the biggest issues of the day. This book is no exception, exploring themes of the origins of the RSPB and with it, the plight of exotic birds, the role and rights of women in society both now and in Victorian England, the life and struggles of refugees in modern Britain, friendship and bullying and how the kindness of a few can make a difference to many. If this wasn’t enough, if you are interested in cycling then this book is also likely to be a winner!
The story focuses on two girls with an unlikely and unusual ‘friendship’ forged across a hundred years through a diary that Semira finds in an old hat box containing a strange hat with a beautiful green bird on it which she is mysteriously drawn to. The green bird awakens something in Semira’s memory about her past. Semira is a refugee from Eritrea who lives with her mother but they are controlled by a man because he promises to sort out their immigration status.
Henrietta lived in the Victorian era and was the child of a wealthy family who owned a feather-importing company, buying the feathers of exotic birds to make hats. Henrietta’s aunt, unbeknown to Henrietta’s parents, introduces her to a group of women who are campaigning for the prevention of cruelty to birds and through this, Henrietta hears of the debate about the rights of women to vote and to determine their own lives – including even things as simple as riding a bike. Semira reads all of this in Henrietta’s diary and many of the issues that touch Henrietta are mirrored in Semira’s life. The diary gives Semira the courage to face up to the bullies in her and her mother’s life and in so doing, reconnects with her own past through friendship, cycling and a lot of courage.
An unusual take on naming animals!
This tale is a hilarious journey through the city to spot llamas. Our guide sadly can’t spot them, despite being right under her nose! Children and adults will love to read through the book – naming the animals that are seen and trying to spot the llamas on the pages.
A great story that’s guaranteed to have EYFS children laughing aloud.
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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
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Curriculum links (if relevant)
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