[My image, Swaffham, May 2021] Gaspard’s Foxtrot by Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew. Just like his other stories, this latest offering from Zeb Soanes (also known as the voice of the Shipping Forecast and the news on Radio 4), follows Gaspard the fox who hangs out in Honey’s garden with her dog Finty and the other neighbourhood animals. I love the use of long, complicated words like “peregrinating”, and phrases like “Gaspard de la nuit”. Gaspard gets his first, accidental, bus journey, passing Islington Green, Museum Street, Chinatown, the theatres, Piccadilly, and that famous umbrella shop. And then, Hyde Park Gates, where Honey is going to see the “Proms in the Park”. We get beautiful descriptions of the pieces of music that are played, and the final piece, whose composer says it has no title yet, becomes The London Foxtrot, or better still Gaspard’s London Foxtrot. The maps on the inside covers of the book take us on the journey of the number 38 bus, which Gaspard accidentally took, and there is even a description of all the places you’ll see through the illustrations, on the route. Zeb Soanes says that the book was designed to be both a book and a concert, and has now been adapted by the composer Jonathan Dove, and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to be premiered on 10th May 2021, and made available to every primary school in Scotland. The story has been brought to life using music, puppetry, digital animation, narration by Zeb Soanes, and live illustration by James Mayhew. Thanks to @Graffeg Fletcher and the caterpillar by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beek. Last year saw the re-publication of the first four books in the Fletcher's Four Seasons series, and this year will see a new four-part series of seasonal stories about Fletcher the fox, of which this book is the first, with a further three planned for August 2021, June 2022 and October 2022. Fletcher the Fox finds a caterpillar under a juicy green leaf, and is really interested to see if it wants to join in with his games. Not really, but Fletcher and his friends try hard, even though all the caterpillat wants to do is munch. Fletcher and hs friends take care of the caterpillar as it changes into a "green blob" which really worries Fletcher, but Mum says all caterpillars do that. So imagine Fletcher's surprise when the green blob turns into....well we all know how that ends, and in this picture book it is beautifully illustrated. Thanks to Graffeg Published on 23rd March 2021 Allotment Fun by Helen Isaac, illustrated by Tim Burgess. A story about a little girl who has fun on her allotment. She loves her allotment at the end of the road, especially picking juicy red tomatoes, big round pumpkins, cabbages, and giant parsnips. We learn the names of loads of different fruits and vegetables, and all the different jobs she does to keep her allotment going. Some things grow, some things are disasters, but she's had a lot of fun. Excellent. Available here - https://olympiapublishers.com/books/allotment-fun Albert Upside Down by Ian Brown and Eoin Clarke. This is the first in a new series from this award-winning duo of a TV writer and an animation director. Albert the pet tortoise has a problem. Trying to reach the tasty treat he has ended up on his shell upside down, and stuck! The illustrations from the perspective of an upside down tortoise are brilliant, and the other garden creatures who try to help Albert are hilarious. Eventually it is the tiniest, lightest butterfly that makes the difference, in this wonderful story of working together to solve a big problem. Published by Graffeg on 27th April 2021 How to change everything by Naomi Klein with Rebecca Stefoff. Another offering from Penguin Random House for Earth Day, except it's really for every day isn't it? Because protecting the planet and each other (as the subtitle for the book says) is an everyday action. Naomi Klein, author, academic and social activist, has written widely for adults on important issues such as the climate emergency, economics and capitalism, and this new title is for teenagers. We find clear informatin about how our planet is changing alongside inspiration, ideas and tools for action. As she says in the introduction, "The huge uprisings against racism and for climate action show us that millions are hungry for change. We can build a better future, if we're willing to change everything." Thanks to Penguin Random House Stories to light the night by Susan Perrow, a grief and loss collection for children, families and communities. The author is a pioneer of healing storytelling, or story medicine, and this book is "story medicine" for children, families and communities at times of grief, loss and separation. The theory is that stories and words have therpeutic potential (and indeed they do), as they help to strengthen us, to reframe things and to help make meaning. The book contains 94 stories, for many different circumstances, including death, separation, adoption, loss of a pet, health or wellbeing, and separation from home, contry or place. Many are original stories by the author, and many are stories from around the world from different cultures and countries written by a diverse selection of writers. Each story is accompanied by a description of who it was written for, the age group and the situation. A truly wonderful collection with a truly empathetic heart. Published by Hawthorn Press At this very moment by Matthew Hodson. I love this one, it's a beautiful, lyrical story about what else is happening in the world right now, in this very moment. A mouse waking up, whales singing, potatoes growing, crocodile snapping, and babies sleeping. Thanks to Cicada books Publishes in May 2021 https://www.cicadabooks.co.uk/books/p/at-this-very-moment. And as you can see from the photo - at this very moment the sun was shining in my window! History of cars by Elliot Kruszynski. The knowledgable dog, Professor McPaw takes you on a journey through time discovering cars. The illustrations are bright and "cartoony", full of things to spot and talk about as we discover early wooden wheels, steam power, brakes, pistons and spark plugs, and cars of the future. Lots of information, and super accessible for a little one to share with an adult. Published by Cicada in April 2021 https://www.cicadabooks.co.uk/books/p/the-history-of-cars Hurray, the library is open again! I didn't read these cover to cover, but picked out some bits that are relevant at the moment. Understanding attachment and attachment disorders by Vivien Pryor and Danya Glaser - the introductory chapters on attachment theory are really up to date and accessible. Mental health in children and young people by Dr Sarah Vohra - this is written essentially for parents who want to know more about children's mental health issues such as anxiety. Each chapter covers another topic and it is super accessible with advice on what to do if worried. Mrs Muddle by Helen E Jones and illustrated by Helen Highton Gottberg. Enter the wonderful world of Mrs Muddle, whose favourite food is Chicken in custard and jam. And also chocolate covered cheese with fishfingers and peas. And also ice creams scoops on her ham. Crumbs. I love her rusty brown bike, with a basket for the mouse. But why is she so different to everyone else...? She jst wants to be free to be herself, and to be happy. A lovely rhyming story, with colourful illustrations to match Mrs Muddle's colourful character. Available from https://olympiapublishers.com/books/mrs-muddle Mouse and Mole - The Secret of Happiness by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew. This is a collection of three more previously unpublished stories focussing on friendship, teamwork, helping each other and having fun. The furry best friends Mouse and Mole explore the world around them in these charming and humerous stories discovering the answers to their many questions through helping each other. Three lovely stories of fidgety Mole, and infuriating Mouse, and the answer to the secret of happiness...! You'll have to read it to find out. Published by @graffeg on 11th May 2021 Why love matters - how affection shapes a baby's brain by sue Gerhardt. The author is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and founded the Oxford Parent Infant Project. This book is a really accessible account for parents and professionals alike, explaining how early interactions between infants and carers imact on brain development, and can have long lasting consequences for future emotional and physical health. It's up to date with the latest neuroscience, and takes a fascinating look at the effects of stress on the emotion and immune systems. I highly recommend this to anyone working with young children, parents, or carers. It's a topic that matters to us all, and shpws that there is much that we can do as individuals, collectively , and as governments, to mitigate for some of the long lasting effects of early stress. Published by Routledge Psychology. Nen and the Lonley Fisherman by Ian Eagleton and James Mayhew. This is a contender for one of my Best of 2021 picture books. It re-imagines the story of the Little Mermaid, starring Nen, a merman, an explorer with an empty heart, and Ernest, a lonely fisherman, with a passion for the environment. Nen's song of hope reaches Ernest across the sea, and he ventures out in his rowing boat to discover the source of the beautiful song, meeting Nen and finding a connection. Nen's father the merman Pelagios is angry, mostly because Ernest is a human and humans are destroying the oceans, so he sets a wild storm to protect the ocean. Can Nen save Ernest? You'll have to read this timely tale of inclusivity, love and environmentalism to find out. Published on 1st June 2021 by Owlet Press Finger Rhymes by Nigel Tetley and illustrated by Peter David Scott. An original collection of finger rhymes for children. Fingers become runners in a race, a horse, a crab, a playground, things from the seaside and the garden, fireworks and christmas celebrations. Thanks to www.nigeltetleyauthor.co.uk, peterdavidscott.com Nigel Tetley Author The Choir Press The Vanishing Lake by Paddy Donnelly. The Irish author-illustrator grew up on the North coast of Ireland surrounded by mythical stories of giants, magical creatures and shape-shifting animals, set in a stunning landscape, inspired in a love of nature, animals, the sea and storytelling, this is his debut author-illustrated picture book. Meera's grandad lives beside a lake called Loughareema, surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, but this is no ordinaty lake, from time to time it would vanish! And then after the rain it would fill back up again. Grandad says it's because the sheep swim in it and their wool soaks up all the water, or the mermaids take the plug out, or the narwhals make holes in the bottom with their horns and the water leaks out....Meera is sceptical and is determined to investigate the truth, so Grandad takes her on a hike to see what really happens to the water in the lake. A lovely, captivating story of determination and imagination, with beautiful illustrations that capture the magic perfectly. Thanks to @paddy (instragram) and https://lefft.com/ Published by Yeehoo Press See what I can do! by Jon Roberts and illustrated by Hannah Rounding. Sixteen little stories about all types of difference from autism and dyslexia to epilepsy and asthma. In each story, the children tell their own little tale of what it's like to be them, with all the facts we need to answer questions. Perfect for sharing each little tale, or all in one go, as we explore differences and so give everyone the opportunity for fairness and equality. 80% of the royalties will go towards the work of Scope and Sarah's Trust, and the range of charities we can go to for advice and information on all the the differences talked about are listed in the back of the book. Published on 22nd June 2021 by Graffeg Ceri and Deri - Pudding for Dessert by Max Low. Another Ceri and Deri offering from author/illustrator Max Low. Is it a pudding, or a dessert? This story attempts to settle the argument between Delwen (of Delwen's Domain of Desserts) and Peredur (of Peredur's Pudding Palace). Ceri and Deri love to visit both shops, and have banana splits, carrot cake and ice cream, in both shops. Detective Inspector Nigel, the mayor, and Psteve the psychiatrist all attempt to settle the argument. You'll have to read it to find out what happens after the inevitable pudding / dessert food fight... So much to talk about here - feelings, occupations, friendship and compromise. Published on 15th June 2021 by Graffeg And we shared these picture books with the children as our special story of the week through May and June - Blog | www.itsallaboutstories.blogspot.co.uk Facebook | www.facebook.com/itsallaboutstories/ Pinterest | uk.pinterest.com/allaboutstories/