TEY 13.2

BEA’S BAD DAY (Bloomsbury, paperback, £7.99) When it comes to books that help children understand difficult emotions, Tom Percival’s Big Bright Feelings series is hard to beat. In Bea’s Bad Day , the talented author and illustrator tackles one of the most hard-to-handle emotions children regularly experience: disappointment. It’s almost Bea’s birthday, and she can hardly wait for it to arrive – she knows exactly what is going to happen, and it is all going to be perfect . Unfortunately, when she wakes up on the day itself, she is faced with an unexpected change in the weather, which throws all her plans into disarray. No presents, no party, no visit from her grandparents; it seems like Bea’s whole world is falling to pieces. Percival’s words and illustrations capture the rollercoaster of feelings that ensue perfectly – from overexcited anticipation to frustration, anger and even grief – and there’s both a reassuring conclusion and a friendly opening note reminding readers that all of this is both normal and manageable. A HOME FOR STONE (Orchard, hardback, £12.99) When a little boy finds a lonely stone on a quiet beach, he decides to find him the perfect home among other stones just like him. With stripes just like an old-time bathing suit, Stone really does stand out, but his face is the picture of misery. When the child finds him, all he wants to do is make Stone smile – and so begins a quest to find Stone a new home. Surely he’ll want to be somewhere with other folks like him? Told in rhyming verse, this warm-hearted picturebook joyfully explores profound ideas in a way that’s completely accessible for young readers. “Fitting in” does not mean “being the same”. It is our differences that bring pleasures and possibilities, and with them come learning, change and growth. The bright artwork has a fresh, contemporary feel, and children will enjoy responding to the rich visual landscapes. Stone’s story also invites thoughtful reflection about collecting and its impact on the environment. How many different types of stones can children find in your outside space? READ ALL ABOUT IT! Have you seen these fantastic publications? Monsters Never Get Haircuts (Boxer Books, hardback, £12.99) Have you ever seen a monster drinking strawberry milk? Probably not, because monsters don’t exist… or do they? In this imaginative and visually sophisticated picturebook, 15 monsters try – and fail – to do un-monsterly things, framed by a deadpan text that chips away at their dignity and power. Humour abounds, but younger or more sensitive children could find some of these illustrations unsettling. It’s all great fun, though, for those ready to be playful in this way. Sounds Good! Discover 50 Instruments (Gecko Press, hardback, £16.99) From snakes playing glockenspiels to vultures with harps, the creatures in this appealing hardback are keen to share the sounds their instruments can make. Just click on the QR links to hear original music for each spread. Ole Konnecke’s concise and dryly humorous text includes well-chosen facts and feels like chatting to a friend. Beautifully designed and illustrated, Sounds Good! really makes an impact. Flying High (UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99) It’s tough being left out, but trying too hard to fit in can bring more problems – and learning to value your differences may be the hardest thing of all. Gently and affirmatively, this striking picturebook explores these issues through the eyes of a child who yearns to play with the bigger kids. Full instructions on how to build a Chinese kite are included inside, too. GREEN LIZARDS VS RED RECTANGLES Tackle the tricky topic of conflict with activities based on this classic story... Talk to children about the story. Why do they think the rectangles and the lizards are at war? How do they eventually share their space? Do they think it’s a good idea? What do the children argue about, at nursery or at home? Can they come up with peaceful ways to resolve their conflicts? Create patterns on white paper with red rectangles, then lay them out on the floor and ask children to choose their favourites. Have a stash of cut-out lizard templates for children to colour green and stick in the gaps. Look at the final spread of the book. How do the lizards and rectangles feel, and what do the children think they’re saying to each other? Role-play their conversation. Teachearlyyears.com 53