Teach-Early-Years-14.1

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? (Faber, paperback, £7.99) How inclusive is your book corner? Does it feature characters with different backgrounds and abilities? These questions matter, because if children don’t see both themselves, and those who are different from themselves, in the stories they encounter, then what messages are they getting about who really matters and whose voices should be heard? This feisty, funny narrative from James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George, captures beautifully the frustration of a child repeatedly having to answer the same question from his peers when all he really wants to do is be accepted as a playmate. It’s a touching exploration of difference and a rich starting point for learning: is it okay to be curious about people? How does all that interrogation make Joe feel? Can your charges think of better ways to discover what they might want to know? Joe only has one leg, but it’s a strong one; why not find out how good everyone is at hopping and balancing, using PE apparatus to create imaginative challenges? THE RABBIT, THE CLOUD AND THE RAINY DAY (Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99) If you’re having trouble convincing your children that there’s no such thing as bad weather, as long as you’ve got the right clothing, then this story about a bunny who really doesn’t like getting wet could be just what you need to persuade everyone into their wellies. Rabbit is off to do a spot of fishing when he spots a rain cloud and decides to take action to make sure it doesn’t put a dampener on his fun. However, Duck knows that precipitation is something to be celebrated – and when his arguments about beautiful plants and flowers, flowing rivers and delicious, crunchy carrots fail to convince Rabbit of rain’s importance, he has one final, impressive point to make… Nicola O’Byrne is a wickedly clever author/illustrator, combining sharp dialogue with beautifully judged expressions to bring her characters to life in a way that’s both understated and hilarious. Do your readers agree with Duck or with Rabbit? What’s their favourite weather of all? THE HARE WHO WOULDN’T SHARE (Simon and Schuster, paperback, £7.99) There’s no lack of picture books dealing with the often fraught issue of sharing – and for good reason. It’s a tough notion for little ones to grasp, yet a behaviour that’s highly valued by society, and often from an earlier age than is developmentally appropriate to expect it. On those grounds alone, this tale about a grumpy hare who wants to hang on to all his turnips would be a useful title to add to your bookshelves; but author/illustrator Steve Small is exploring other ideas here, too. His protagonist takes a logical approach: if he gives his stuff away, there is less for him , so what is the point? It’s only when the wider community is threatened by a much stronger, greedier enemy that his sense of responsibility kicks in; he risks his own safety and sacrifices his crops to protect his neighbours – and in return, they take him in. A geopolitical parable for our age? Perhaps, but above all, a warm, positive story, with a happy ending, that children will love. TheBookCorner GREAT TITLES TO SHARE WITH YOUR BUDDING READERS 52 Teachearlyyears.com