| Good Books for Tough Times 5-8 - FRIENDSHIP AND DIFFERENCE |
|
|
The Not So Abominable SnowmanAuthor Matt BuckinghamIllustrator Matt Buckingham Reading age 6+ Interest level 4-7 Review Bert is not your average abominable snowman. He doesn't just stay in the snowy mountains, but rather, he likes to run, jump, and chase butterflies in forests below. When Bert finds a little boy, Tom, looking for his father, he decides to help. When Tom's father is eventually rescued by Bert and his friends, Tom realizes that maybe abominable snowmen aren't that abominable after all. A charming story with quirky, colourful illustrations, this book is perfect for reading aloud to a young and imaginative audience. Publisher Little Tiger Press
|
|
|
Something ElseAuthor Kathryn CaveIllustrator Chris Riddell Reading age 6+ Interest level 4-8 Review Something Else is a lonely creature, excluded from everything because he is different. One day an equally curious creature (Something) turns up, giving him the chance to meet someone even stranger than himself. At first he rejects him on the grounds that he is so peculiar, but then realises that this is exactly what he has experienced. This is the perfect book for reassuring any child that being different can be a very positive thing, and that people who are different can be friends. Publisher Puffin
|
|
|
Melrose and Croc Friends for LifeAuthor Emma Chichester ClarkIllustrator Emma Chichester Clark Reading age 4+ Interest level 3+ Review Croc is green and Melrose the dog is hairy. Croc is also helpful and enjoys playing noisy music. Melrose is good at somersaults but can be quite messy. Through contemplations such as: Who am I? Who are you? I wish I were... I wish you were... and, I like the way you... the book explores the idea that people are unique, with different talents, interests and personalities. And in doing so it beautifully introduces the idea of learning to love others and yourself. Publisher HarperCollins
|
|
|
Melrose and Croc Find a SmileAuthor Emma Chichester ClarkIllustrator Emma Chichester Clark Reading age 4+ Interest level 3+ Review Melrose and Croc are back, but Melrose is decidedly melancholy. He's lost his smile and, as any best friend should, Croc is anxious to help him retrieve it. They take a drive to the country. Eventually, when Croc asks exactly what they were looking for, Melrose can't remember and... smiles! The illustrations and text in this story of friendship have an airy, elegant simplicity accompanied by real emotional depth. The humour is perfectly judged, as is Melrose and Croc's St Tropez lifestyle and Croc's natty pink scarf! Publisher HarperCollins
|
|
|
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-TrentAuthor Lauren ChildIllustrator Lauren Child Reading age 7+ Interest level 6-10 Review Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent, or ‘H' for short, lives with his very rich parents in an enormous house. When he begins to realise that his parents have squandered all their money, genius H and best friend Stanton Harcourt set out to find a solution to their financial crisis. In the end, they find that they don't need a lot of money to be happy. Hilarious detail and fantastic illustrations make this picture book a real joy from start to finish. Publisher Hodder Children's Books
|
|
|
BeeguAuthor Alexis DeaconIllustrator Alexis Deacon Reading age 6+ Interest level 4-7 Review Beegu is from another world and somehow gets lost on Earth. Lonely and confused, she wanders off to a nearby city to find some friends. But the only friendly people she comes across are the children, while the big Earth creatures just don't seem to understand. The simple text and bold and enchanting illustrations cleverly convey a child's feelings of uncertainty and confusion when faced with new surroundings. This is a heart-warming and satisfying tale that is certain to provide comfort to young children. Publisher Red Fox
|
|
|
Looking after LouisAuthor Lesley ElyIllustrator Polly Dunbar Reading age 7+ Interest level 5+ Review Louis has an autistic spectrum disorder and reacts differently from his classmates. They have to learn how to understand him and help him to join in with their lessons and games. Initially disconcerted by his behaviour, they all find their own special pleasure when he shows he likes playing football, and they learn that sometimes you are allowed to break the rules for special people. Completed by a simple professional explanation of the condition, the story sympathetically addresses some of the difficulties involved in dealing with autism. Publisher Frances Lincoln Children's Books
|
|
|
Hairy HezekiahAuthor Dick King-SmithIllustrator John Eastwood Reading age 8+ Interest level 5+ Review Hairy Hezekiah is a camel living a sad solitary life in a zoo, and seems to be the only animal without a friend. So he slips through the main gates to look for a mate. Creating mayhem in the countryside as he searches, Hezekiah eventually reaches a safari park, where an instant rapport with the hirsute aristocratic owner results in the arrival of Hephzibah to share his life. An appealing story about finding friendship from the author of ‘Babe' and many other animal stories. Publisher Young Corgi
|
| Partnership for Children is a participant in the Amazon Europe S.à.r.l. Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk | |
