Tony Mitton I could spend aeons deliberating over this. I don’t think I could nominate 5 top reads as an absolute category. What I can do is to give 5 titles and say why I think they’re great children’s books, why I think they can (and have, in my experience as a parent and a…
Tracey Corderoy Charlotte’s Web by E.B, White A wonderful story about friendship, delicately balanced with the harsh realities of life. Sometimes it’s only through empathy that you learn to consider the bigger picture. Life might change but some things will endure . . . The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr Children love it when…
John Rice One Hundred and One Favourite Poems: Poets pick their favourite poems, edited by John Foster As well as being a fine poet, John Foster is one of the UK’s most respected editors of children’s poetry. His vision as an editor is far-reaching and in this collection he invited 101 contemporary poets to choose…
Emma Carroll There are so many amazing kids’ books nowadays it’s impossible to narrow it down. These are ones I’ve particularly enjoyed: For Love of a Horse, by Patricia Leitch My absolute favourite book as a pony-mad child. It’s different from other horse books in that it’s not all gymkhanas and rosettes. It’s about that…
Cressida Cowell is the author and illustrator of the bestselling The Wizards of Once and How to Train Your Dragon books series, and the author of the Emily Brown picture books, illustrated by Neal Layton. The Wizards of Once series has been translated into 37 languages and has been signed by DreamWorks Animation. How to…
Brenda Marshall is a former teacher and librarian. Brenda organises conferences, is a member of UK School Library Association (SLA), the Reviews Editor of English 4 – 11, and is a Fellow of The English Association. Collected Poems for Children Ted Hughes Faber and Faber A fabulous collection by an outstanding poet. It begins with poems to read…
Jo Bowers is an Associate Dean at Cardiff Metropolitan University, lecturing in literacy to student teachers. She has a lifelong love of children’s literature and is a member of the English 4-11 Editorial Board. Jo is can be found on Twitter talking and sharing books with other fellow book lovers at @Jo_Bowers. Wales on…
Sue is an independent consultant and Co-Creator of www.lovemybooks.co.uk Varjak Paw by SF Said Varjak Paw, a misfit in his family of sheltered pedigree cats, sets off alone to seek help in the city when danger strikes. Gradually he gains allies and learns the secret survival skills of his ancestor, Jalal. Can Varjak help his…
Sally is the Primary SCITT Leader for Suffolk and Norfolk SCITT leading the team and working with partnership schools to train primary teachers. Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton Polly faces a major problem when she needs to rescue her new friend, Padlock the bear, from the nasty Mr. Gum. Andy…