Wren & Rook ISBN 9781526361158 £9.99
Somewhat put off by the triteness of the title, I was very pleasantly surprised by the depth and impact of this book. Ex-Olympic table-tennis player, writer and broadcaster Syed has managed to convey the simple fact that by perseverance, dedication and developing a ‘growth mindset’, all children can become good at whatever they want to excel in. That sounds ‘preachy’ – but it isn’t. By a clever mixture of autobiography, diagrams, jokes, examples of success and reference to Science and authorities such as Carol Dweck, Syed has produced something eminently readable and utterly beguiling. It is 158 pages long and yet the clever use of yellow, mixed type faces and sizes, speech bubbles and other cartoon elements all contribute to making it a page-turner and a positive reading experience. The arresting fact that when Syed was table tennis champion many of the top players in the country came from his street in Reading is testament to his theory that with opportunity (the local club), a passionate teacher and children practising together a lot can achieve astonishing results. There is something for every 10/11-year-old to be inspired by here – and their parents and teachers!
Sue Barrett, retired teacher and lecturer