Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

It Might Be An Apple

Graphic novel

It Might Be an Apple is a boisterous, philosophical shaggy dog story for young children – and probably a few adults.

The story follows a child’s hilarious, wildly inventive train of thought through all the things an apple might be if it is not, in fact, an apple.

Distrusting the apple’s convincing appearance, the child’s imagination spirals upwards and outwards into a madcap fantasy world – maybe it’s a star from outer space with tiny aliens on board?

Perhaps it wants a cool hairstyle?

Does it feel scared, or snore at night?

Children can see what all these crazy, funny things might look like.

This book is not only huge fun, but it also encourages a questioning, challenging approach to the world around us.

Black Artists Shaping the World

Sharna Jackson

Non-fiction

As you read this thought-provoking book, you feel safe in the hands of an expert. It’s well-written and carefully put together. Sharna Jackson uses her knowledge of contemporary art to celebrate twenty-six exciting Black artists, working in a wide variety of different media. Some are well-known, others less so. The author makes clear how many candidates had to be (regretfully) left out.

Each artist is represented by one expressive photographic portrait of them in black and white and one carefully chosen piece of their artwork. The accompanying text is written with clarity and intelligence, describing the thinking and themes behind each piece and how it fits into the artist’s wider work. Abstract ideas are demystified in succinct and straightforward language.

As with all ambitious art, the work here is designed to provoke emotional responses and some of the ideas the artists are wrestling with are challenging. It’s not a surprise that this book has won several awards, including three categories in the coveted SLA Information Book Awards. It introduces some inspiring role models for aspiring artists.

It is a useful sourcebook for teachers, covering refreshingly different ground from many standard art books aimed at secondary school children. It is an interesting read for anyone and a feast for the eyes of everyone who chooses to pick it up. The attention to detail in the crisp design makes it a beautiful object. I thoroughly recommend it.

The Big Book of Nature Art

Yuval Zommer

Non-fiction

Featuring twenty-two easy craft projects using natural and recycled materials, The Big Book of Nature Art is a fun and eco way for young children to connect creatively with nature.

From bestselling author Yuval Zommer, The Big Book of Nature Art is packed with twenty-two easy art activities inspired by nature. Each of the activities can be achieved in four simple steps using natural materials combined with recycled or found materials from around the home. Drawing on Zommer’s years of experience running art workshops for children, The Big Book of Nature Art includes his tips for stress-free ways to get creative with kids.

Each nature art activity requires no more than five minutes set-up and five minutes clean-up, making them easy to achieve and fun for everyone involved. The book also encourages children to see the creative potential in the natural and everyday treasures all around us – from twigs, seed pods, petals and leaves through to loo rolls, pencil shavings, takeaway cutlery and kitchen string.

Little nature artists will enjoy making paper-plate birds; leaf bugs; coffee-cup owls; tree bark bats; and seed pod creepy crawlies, as well as scenes for their creatures to dwell in, from watery worlds to underground tunnels.

Bright Stars of Black British History

Angela Vives & J. T. Williams

Non-fiction

An important and enlightening non-fictional account of some of the stars (including some lesser-known figures) of Black British history.

This well-researched book tells inspiring stories of people from all walks of life – stories of courage, fierce determination and fights for freedom that every primary school pupil should be aware of as they form a vital part of England’s story. The book sensitively deals with the complexity and contradictions of Black British history using relatable language.

Through reading this book, I was introduced to remarkable stories that I was not previously aware of and was intrigued by the range of evidence used to construct claims about the past. This would be a great book to inspire diversification of the curriculum and most certainly some thought-provoking discussion about Black History.

A History of Pictures for Children

David Hockney & Martin Gayford

Non-fiction

A History of Pictures for Children takes readers on a journey through art history, from early art drawn on cave walls to the images we make today on our computers and phone cameras. Based on the bestselling book for adults, this children’s edition of A History of Pictures is told through conversations between the artist David Hockney and the author Martin Gayford, who talk about art with inspiring simplicity and clarity. Rose Blake’s illustrations illuminate the narratives of both authors to bring the history of art alive for a young audience.

I Wonder Where I Am?

Shinsuke Yoshitake

Picturebook

This is a colourful book about how useful maps can be in everyday life, which is told in an engaging, humorous way for a younger audience. It challenges what a map actually is and cleverly explains, using entertaining examples, that maps can take many different forms and quite simply are a way to help someone understand something better.

The book would be an excellent resource for teachers to use with the whole class or with individuals to help them better understand themselves. There is a lovely example of a map of ‘what humans are like’ for use by aliens who have landed on Earth – this could be used as a stimulus for children to create a map about themselves and what they want people to know about them.

The book also talks about the fact that some maps are designed so that everyone can understand them, whereas others are just for one person – the book could be used to encourage children to make a personal map to help them understand something about themselves: perhaps about their feelings (there is a good example of this in the book).

Importantly, the book goes on to explain that while a map can help us to learn and understand things better, it doesn’t have all the answers and that’s okay. This is a wonderful tool for use in the primary classroom.

Why Can’t Horses Burp?

Lily Snowden-Fine & Nick Crumpton

Non-fiction

Calling all horse lovers! Have you ever wondered why horses can’t burp? Why horses wear shoes? Whether horses and humans can be friends? Well look no further! This child-friendly, non-fiction text is an informative and fun way to learn everything you need to know about our lovable horsey friends.

Each double-page spread starts with an intriguing question about horses. From diet, exercise, breeds and winning Olympic medals, there is a breadth of information to interest any young equestrian-lover. The illustrations are bright and playful and are surrounded by short bursts of text, making it easy to read and enjoy.

I would highly recommend this information book for anyone who wants to become an equine expert, or any person, young or old, with a thirst for animal knowledge.

Glow: The Wild Wonders of Bioluminescence

Jennifer N. R. Smith

Non-fiction

The astonishing phenomenon of bioluminescence is brought to life in vivid detail by medical illustrator Jennifer N. R. Smith.

The natural world is an infinite source of wonder and the phenomenon of bioluminescence is no exception. Glow explores the remarkable way animals and plants light up of their own accord, and what we can learn from their incredible glow-in-the-dark abilities. Written and illustrated in minute detail by medical illustrator Jennifer N. R. Smith, Glow takes readers on a magical journey to the deepest ocean trenches, through winding networks of caves and into the darkest corners of the forest to experience the wonder of bioluminescence.

The first in a series of non-fiction children’s books exploring natural phenomena, Glow introduces readers to creatures that glow in the dark including anglerfish, firefly squid, lanternfish, the glowing sucker octopus, Flor de Coco and Honey fungi, as well as hosts of fireflies and glow-worms. It also celebrates the scientists and deep-sea explorers who, at great personal risk, have travelled to the ocean floor to study bioluminescence. Combining natural history with STEM, Glow considers how bioluminescence works and what we can learn from it, including ways to prevent climate change and tackle pollution.

Printed using UV printing techniques, the illustrations appear luminous on the page, making for a truly awe-inspiring reading experience.

The Brainiac’s Book of the Climate and Weather

Harriet Russell & Rosie Cooper

Non-fiction

Quirky stories, interactive activities and off-the-wall infographics serve to answer young brainiacs’ urgent questions about the climate and weather.

What’s the difference between the climate and weather? How do we know global warming is real? The answers to these and many more pressing questions are explored in this book through memorable stories, infographic data dumps, and by engineering a solar oven from a pizza box, among other hands-on activities. Aimed at young brainiacs who want to know how many cow farts make up the Earth’s atmosphere, and how to whip up a homemade storm.

A History of Words for Children

Mary Richards & Rose Blake

Non-fiction

A history of the world told through the prism of language, from Shakespeare to Anne Frank, Martin Luther King to Greta Thunberg.

A History of Words for Children explores the uniquely human ability to transfer thoughts from one brain to another using words. Written in a lively narrative style, the book presents a history of the world and human development through the prism of language, introducing readers to the civilisations, inventions and wordsmiths who have shaped the way we communicate.

Divided into themed chapters, the book explores what words are and how humans communicate using spoken language and sign; the development of written scripts and writing implements, including paper; the history of manuscripts and printed books, including worldwide bestsellers and famous libraries; the process of learning another language; dialects and accents and the way language can reflect our identity; the power of words to calm, inspire, rally crowds and rule nations; graffiti’s role in spreading messages; codes and invented languages; the patterns of poetry; the future of words, including emojis; and languages facing extinction.

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Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

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