Engaging reads for children, from Books go Walkabout

Month: September 2023

Welcome to Wild Town by AF Harrold & Dom Conlon. Illustrated by Korky Paul

An exciting first collaboration between two acclaimed poets, exploring the nature of ‘wildness’. Do you dare to come to Wild Town?

Watch out for the tigers of Bengal Street in the Carnivore Quarter and maybe avoid the fish tank in number 3, Danger Close – it’s stocked with piranhas and electric eels. In Wolf Park you may come across a silent, stalking wolf and at the Wild Town Rec polar bears are pushing on the slide and orcas are in the paddling pool. While at the quiet end of town dormice are sleeping and grumpy Bertha the Bear is slumbering.
One thing is certain – you will never be the same after a visit to Wild Town, and when you leave, the wild will go with you….

An exciting poetry adventure, a journey of wild encounters in streets, houses and parks – this is an astonishing and brilliant poetry collection by two of the UK’s most admired poets, AF Harrold and Dom Conlon. Illustrated with verve and wit by the internationally bestselling illustrator Korky Paul.

Worth looking at Otter-Barry Books, the publisher’s website, loads of information about the book and authors/illustrator.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Nikhil and Jay: Off to India by Chitra Soundar & Illustrated by Soofiya

Nikhil and Jay visit India in this third book in the sparkling Early Reader series about a British Asian family. Beautifully written for children starting out on independent reading, with stylish illustrations on each page.

Nikhil and Jay and Amma and Appa are off to India for the Christmas holidays to visit Chennai Granny and Grandad. The boys have their first Chennai Christmas, with mango-leaf decorations, Indian sweets for Father Christmas, a basket of beautiful Indian wooden toys – and a special Christmas star. The family see in the New Year the Indian way. They make a Welcome poster, Granny lights a lamp at midnight and they all eat Granny’s delicious Kesala as an Indian New Year treat.

This third book in the Nikhil and Jay series written by Chitra Soundar, is perfect for children moving on from picture books to longer stories, helped by Soofiya’s lively and characterful illustrations. Publisher’s Otter-Barry Books have an excellent portfolio of engaging books for all children.

Definitely on my recommendation list for primary schools.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton

An amazing book, with captivating text and illustrations from the beginning to the end..

‘These are my streets, these are my people, this is my story.’

The first novel, told in verse for middle-grade readers, by a leading children’s poet, with atmospheric pictures by a Carnegie-shortlisted illustrator.

Life can be tough in your last year of primary school. Tests to take, preparing for the change to high school. Nate is ready for it all, knowing his best friend PS is at his side – they’ve been inseparable since Nursery.

But when they are put in two different classes and PS finds a new friend in Turner, the school bully, Nate’s world turns upside-down. As he struggles to make sense of this and forge new friendships, he’s dealt another blow when his youngest brother, Dylan is rushed into hospital.

His new teacher, Mr Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate that’s lit by his love of reading and writing and shows him how to use this to process what’s going on. But with so much working against him, and anger rising inside him, will this be enough?

A powerful and lyrical story about finding your place in the world and the people that matter within it.
Matt Goodfellow is a former primary school teacher and now a full-time poet living in Stockport. His visits to schools are dynamic and have lasting impact. Watch the video…

Joe Todd-Stanton is an author/illustrator who won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize with his picture book, The Secret of Black Rock.

Otter-Barry Books have a powerful portfolio of books and The Final Year joins their strong interest in publishing children’s poetry books.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

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