Meg Barclay, education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews books which teach children about space, the importance of staying true to yourself, and model team work to overcome adversity
Curious Kids: Stars and Space
By Jonny Marx
Illustrated by Christiane Engel
Caterpillar Books
June 2021, pp16, £10.99
9781838911812
Reading age: 3-6 years
This is a wonderful book packed with amazing facts and information about stars and space which will certainly inspire and excite readers.
Each double-page spread explores a different space-themed topic, accompanied by fabulous pop-up art work. This really helps bring the information to life, and allows younger or weaker readers to engage with a complicated topic in a fun, meaningful and age-appropriate way.
Topics include Sensational Stars, Space Stations, Stupendous Solar Systems and Amazing Astronauts, to name a few. Each topic comprises simple facts in short sentences, supporting language acquisition and science vocabulary. Readers are introduced to temperature, time and gravity. Some support may be needed with the more advanced language and concepts.
A high-quality board book, this will provide hours of enjoyment. However, it is not suitable for children under three due to chocking hazards, so may not be suitable for child-directed areas.
The Midnight Panther
By Poonam Mistry
Templar Books
June 2024, pp48, £8.99
9781787418936
Reading age: Birth-5 years
Readers will be enchanted by this wonderful fable following Panther, the black cat of the forest. He is not like other cats who have bold and fearless stripes, a golden mane or dazzling spots. He is small and dark and scared of heights, and the other cats tease him for this.
Panther goes off trying to find ways to fit in using leaves, pollen and feathers. But Nature knows who he is, and shows him how transient these adornments are when it is raining, windy or sunny.
In time, Night calls him up to the top of the forest, where he finds that when he answers the call of moonlight, he discovers his own inner strength (to climb to the top of the trees) and outward beauty, to dazzle with the starry night.
With themes of resilience and courage to find out who you are, as well as the importance of being true to yourself, this is a must-have for all settings.
Beautiful, lyrical text conveys the narrative, building an atmospheric plot which grips readers’ attention in a gentle and accessible way.
The stunning illustrations are a real highlight of this work helping also to create and a sense of mystery and timelessness to this tale.
A beautiful work which models for readers important lessons that they will take with them into the rest of their life.
Lighthouse and the Little Boat
By Katie Frawley
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Quill Tree Books
July 2024, pp32, £12.99
9780063114234
Reading age: 4-8 years
This is a sweet story which follows Brightness, the Little Boat, on her adventures around the harbour with the help of Lighthouse showing the way.
Brightness always wants to know what is beyond the horizon but is also afraid of the unknown. One day curiosity gets the better of her and she goes out of the harbour and into the wider sea. Lighthouse patiently waits and watches, concerned that she didn’t say goodbye. When a dark storm hits, Lighthouse realises she needs to shine her light to bring Brightness home.
Exploring resilience, perseverance and overcoming adversity, this will be a useful book for settings looking to support team work, positive mental health and build confidence in children.
With much potential to appeal to a wide age range, I think it likely this book will interest younger readers the most, with the simple storyline being perhaps less attractive to older ages.
