8 minute read
SPRING BOOKS
MUST READ
3+
WE ARE FAMILY
by Lucy Reynolds Illustrated by Jenna Herman
DOODLES & SCRIBBLES, £12.99
The latest book from a recently arrived publishing house set up by two Oxford graduates, Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman, this hardback brings together their specialisms in poetry and fine art. We Are Family explores the diverse nature of families. While very young children will be captivated by the lovely illustrations and poetic narrative with messages of inclusivity, older readers will be absorbed by the accompanying nature notes about how different animals live and raise their broods.
TOP SPRING
From love and loss to a technology guide for budding inventors, a rediscovered Paddington and a history tour of great world cities, here's our pick of great spring reads
3+
Love is...
by Lily Murray Illustrated by Sarah Maycock
BIG PICTURE PRESS, £14.99
This is a follow-on to Lily Murray's Sometimes I Feel... – which was shortlisted for an ALCS Award. You will find the same lyrical prose style to engage very young readers, and with powerful messages about looking out for each other and the strength that love brings to our lives and relationships. This, plus mesmerising wildlife illustrations by Sarah Maycock, makes it a book to return to for comfort and reassurance.
3+
FIVE LITTLE CHICKS
by Lily Murray Illustrated by Holly Surplice
TEMPLAR BOOKS, £6.99
Just in time for Easter and celebrations of spring's arrival, Five Little Chicks is a delightfully traditional read-out-loud story with lots of interactive fun. Every page has flaps that lift up to reveal an array of cute animals with accompanying text. The main narrative, told in rhyme, encourages children to find and count the chicks that feature on every page. Holly Surplice's colourful illustrations add plenty of extra interest and a whole array of animals to identify. 8+
A GATHERING STORM
by Tamsin Mori
UCLAN PUBLISHING, £7.99
Tamsin Mori's debut novel draws on childhood experiences of her mother's homeland Shetland, a place of myths and legends – and wild weather. This entrancing and fast-paced tale features an apprentice weather weaver and her mentee. It's the annual Gathering where weather magic and stories are traded by the weather weavers. But Tamar's welcome is going to be frosty because she's broken a cardinal rule that risks everything – including Stella's future and her magical relationship with her cloud Nimbus. This is the first of a trilogy of adventures that looks sure to attract many fans.
5+
THE LAST SEAWEED PIE
by Wendy Shurety Illustrations by Paddy Donnelly
STORYHOUSE PUBLISHING, £6.99
The Seaple and Treeple inhabit very di erent worlds. These collide when the Treeple's passion for making things in their jungle home and then throwing cast-o s into the ocean makes the world below uninhabitable. This vividly drawn and engaging tale for young readers contains lessons about working together, and with a section at the back giving advice on how to protect our oceans and planet. Every UK purchase supports the work of the Marine Conservation Society.
Editor's pick
8+
A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 25 CITIES
by Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin Illustrations by Libby VanderPloeg
NOSY CROW, IN COLLABORATION WITH THEBRITISH MUSEUM, £16.99
This is a book that will intrigue parents as much as children, bringing together the might of the British Museum and with heavyweight children's writers and illustrators. It combines maps (brilliantly created to capture a moment in history), descriptions of what life was like then and facts about the cities today. We love the range of places, from Jericho, Memphis, Baghdad and Benin City to London, Tokyo and Delhi. The final two entries cover cities of today and tomorrow. Definitely a theme to spark questions and further investigation by young geographers and historians.
9+
COOL TECHNOLOGY
by Jenny Jacoby Illustrated by Jem Venn
PAVILION, £9.99
Cool Technology is brilliant for fuelling the imagination of aspiring scientists and creatives. Covering everything from gaming to virtual reality and future food, it includes experiments and activities to try at home and has an easy-read format that packs in a lot of information. There's also a timeline of technology advancements of the past – the Industrial Revolution and printing press among them. It's the latest in a series by Jenny Jacoby that includes engineering, physics, maths and art – all appealing reads for non-fiction fans. 4+ 5+
Paddington's Easter Egg Hunt
by Michael Bond and Karen Jankel Illustrated by R.W. Alley
HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN'S, £12.99
One of our best loved heroes returns, all thanks to a lockdown clearout by Michael Bond's agent Hilary Delamere – a good news story. This is a tale that was penned by Michael Bond and his daughter Karen Jankel during the 1990s, originally for a charity newsletter, and then filed away before its timely rediscovery. With familiar illustrations by the longstanding Paddington illustrator R.W. Alley, and a perfect theme for spring, this picture book makes the perfect gift to delight a whole new generation of fans.
5+
THE WINDOW
by Laura Gehl Illustrated by Udayana Lugo
STUDIO PRESS, £6.99
This moving story covers one of the toughest themes of all – bereavement. Daria's grandfather is in hospital and his window overlooks the ocean. Every time she visits, they watch the waves, wildlife and people and she talks to him about when they'll be able to visit the beach again. With words and sensitive illustrations, it shows the darkness of grieving, but also the hope and love that come from memories. The book includes a practical note after the story from Dr Sharie Coombes, giving advice on supporting children through bereavement.
Editor's pick
5+
WHEN I SEE RED
by Britta Teckentrup
PRESTEL, £10.99
Anger is something we are taught to suppress, but Britta Teckentrup's book takes a deep dive, encouraging children to think about what rage is and – importantly – how we move beyond it. Children are taken on the journey of 'seeing red', with dramatic pictures and text describing just how all-encompassing and immense it can feel. It's a wonderful read, and not just for young children, with a poetic quality to language and visuals that helps to make this emotion feel less terrifying and isolating.
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STUDY SMART
Cult Furniture give their expert advice for ensuring your child’s study space o ers smart style and room to grow
Your child’s bedroom has to work hard as they grow – taking in everything from hobbies and craft projects to online chats with friends, homework and revision. Smart study spaces grow with them, providing an inspiring backdrop to work, play and rest.
First, think colourway. Give your junior study space a sophisticated senior look with a bold feature wall (a cool backdrop for video chats) or opt for a clean and neutral colour palette so they can add and adapt artworks and details as their tastes change.
Invest in a desk that does it all – brainstorms for homework and group projects, space for games and room to stretch out comfortably. Drawers or slots to tuck away stationery, phone and other life essentials are key. Remember our design mantra: clear space equals clear mind.
Go bold and luxurious on the chair. Cult Furniture’s brilliant o ce and dining chairs come in a wide range of styles and price points. Comfort is king, but beyond that design essential, you’ll fi nd fabulous tactile textures – including bouclé and velvet – to make sitting down to study a pleasure. A pack away pou e will earn its keep when friends come round.
Don’t forget the o ce accessories. Clean storage designs – including our popular and timeless rattan and cane – let them tidy away their ‘stu ’ and store old toys and games they can’t bear to part with yet. Add some of our task and ambient lights and colourful or graphic prints and your child’s study space is ready to take them all the way through to their late teens. Find furniture, accessories and inspiring styling ideas when you visit Cult Furniture’s fashion-forward Wandsworth showroom or shop with us online. Use the Absolutely Education code CULT10 online or at Cult Furniture’s showroom for a 10% discount on all orders.
timeless rattan and cane – let them tidy away they can’t bear to part with yet. Add some of and inspiring styling ideas when you visit Cult
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