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Topic: Books of the Month - Teachers' Favourites 2021

Non-fiction

The essential starting place for anyone who wants to learn about Black British History. David Olusoga’s thought-provoking text charts the forgotten histories of Black people in Britain from Roman times right through to the present day. From Roman Africans guarding Hadrian’s Wall, to an African trumpeter in the court of Henry the Eighth, Black Georgians fighting for the abolition of slavery, Black soldiers fighting for Britain in the First World War, Windrush and right up today. These are the stories that brought us all together in this country.

When did Africans first come to Britain?

Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings?

Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution?

These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history.

This children’s edition of the bestseller Black and British: A Forgotten History is beautifully illustrated in full-colour with maps, portrait galleries, timelines, photos and portraits.

Chapter book

Tomas is a fully-fledged expert dragon grower and protector of the dragonfruit tree. He has eyes in the back of his head for watching over those sneaky dragons, awesomely fast reflexes for putting out sparks and dodging the diving antics of whirling newly hatched dragons. He’s got it all down pat – and managing his little lightning bolt dragon Zing, too.

But he’s not quite prepared for the adventure that awaits him when a huge secret is revealed about his new friend, Aura. A thrilling secret that will take Tomas and Aura on a journey of discovery that will finally unlock the last mysteries of the dragonfruit tree. A journey of discovery that all the dragons will be in on – and just what will happen when lightning bolt dragon Zing and storm dragon Flicker get together?

Get ready for the ride of your life in this fizzing, sparkling final story in THE BOY WHO GREW DRAGONS series.

Chapter book

Milo and I have been looking forward to this half-term for what feels like FOREVER – we’re finally going to the National Space Centre, to meet a real-life space engineer!

My whole family wanted to tag along and visit a festival first, where this super-famous, mega-expensive diamond is on display. But guess what? The diamond has been STOLEN! And the police think MY GRANNY did it so she’s in serious TROUBLE.

Someone needs to prove Granny Jas is innocent, so it looks like Milo and I might need to go UNDERCOVER. It’s lucky I’m Anisha, Accidental Detective!

Picturebook

The Most Important Animal of All is a beautiful picture book, illustrated by award-winning Hannah Bailey, where a teacher challenges her class to decide which is the most important animal of all. Seven children champion a different animal for the top spot.

* Is it BEES as master pollinators, or BATS who are night-time predators as well as pollinators? * Is it ELEPHANTS who shape their landscapes and spread seeds, or BEAVERS who create watery habitats? * Is it TIGERS or SHARKS who keep populations in balance so there is food for all? * Is it tiny KRILL, food for so many whales and sea creatures?

Learn all about these keystone species, plus see photographs of them up close and in their habitats. At the back there’s information about other important animals, such as wolves, hummingbirds and coral.

This is a positive and gentle primer for young children from 5 years old about the more worrying issues of habitat loss, endangered species and climate change.

Picturebook

A playful, warm and funny story following a boy with a wild imagination and his lively family, from brand new creative duo: Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola.

Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear.

In this family, it’s just possible that Dad is a grizzly bear . . . He has fuzzy fur, enormous paws and loves the outdoors. He sleeps a lot even in the cinema and when he’s awake, he’s always hungry, usually eating up all the honey. What else could Dad be? But sometimes, when it’s scary at night, a lovely big bear hug is just what is needed.

A hilarious debut picture book written by Swapna Haddow author of the Dave Pigeon series and illustrated by the brilliantly talented Dapo Adeola author of Look Up!

Picturebook

Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear … and how to defeat an icebear who wants to be king. Ideal for readers moving on from picture books.

‘A perfect animal double-act.’ The Times , Book of the Week

Icebear has arrived in Rabbit and Bear’s valley, and he wants to be king. He’s big and scary, and the more kind and understanding the animals are, the meaner he becomes.

Rabbit is confused: Bear has always been able to fix their problems in the past – but maybe this time he needs to ask for help from someone else. Does Wolf have the answer to the bad king’s demands … or will Rabbit and the other animals find the solution within themselves?

From novelist and playwright Julian Gough, and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, this is a story of friends, enemies, and how to avoid being pooped on by an icebear.

Picturebook

Bird and Frog find a strawberry on their way. There’s only one strawberry and the two of them. So, only “the best” animal gets to eat the fruit. Soon Rat, Shrew, Squirrel, and others join them in a competition to find “the best” and award them with the strawberry. The animals have fun playing together. But, as they reach the finish line, it’s time to see who gets the reward. The animals find there is a lesson for all of them about being “best friends”.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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