Book Recommendations

This half term's book recommendations are linked to some of the themes we are focusing on and celebrating in school and nationally.

For many more reading recommendations by age and interest take a look at this website https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/browse-by-age You can also sign up for a monthly newsletter which is packed with the latest releases to spark an interest in reading for your child with you at home.

Because we've been reading Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah in UKS2

The Place for me, stories about the Windrush generation

By Dame Floella Benjamin

This book presents 12 moving tales of sacrifice and bravery, inspired by first-hand accounts of the Windrush generation. "Home ain't jus' where you live. Home is your heart an' yer history." Each inspiring story helps to bring the real experience of Black British people into focus.

Because it's Black History Month

Legacies - Black British Pioneers

By Larnia Narjee

This bold, colourful work tells the stories of the trailblazers, innovators, and champions that have helped shape Britain, many of whom have previously been overlooked in mainstream education. Narjee’s writing harmoniously pairs with Timothy’s vibrant illustrations to bring each figure to life, navigating through four significant domains: The Arts, STEM, Sport, and Politics & Social Justice.

Because we've focused on plants and trees during Biology week

The Magic and Mysteries of Trees

By Jen Green

Discover how trees communicate and warn each other of predators, how they nurture their networks, record the past, and anticipate the future to ensure their survival. There’s so much more to trees than meets the eye.

Delve into the amazing natural science of trees in this nature and science children’s book. From the highest branch all the way down to the complex “wood wide web” of roots, every part of a tree plays an important role. Not only in its own growth, but that the ecosystem of the whole forest or woodland. Did you know that trees take care of each other and that whole forests are connected?

Because we've focused on plants and trees during Biology week

Eco Girl

By Ken Wilson-Max

Inspired by his father’s passion for trees, Ken Wilson-Max’s picturebook is a delightful introduction to conservation and care for the natural environment.

Eve is lively and thoughtful, living at the edge of a big, old forest. She loves everything about it, the trees most of all, especially the Baobab, the African “tree of life”. On her birthday, Eve and her parents visit Grandma, deep in the forest, where she gets a magical surprise. Unwrapping the bark from around a parcel that Grandma has carried to a special place, she finds a Baobab seedling to plant and take care of. Following family tradition, it will grow next to the trees that her father, grandma and great-grandma nurtured, connecting her forever with the forest she loves.

Because our whole school value is Friendship and love

Farmer Duck

By Martin Waddell

This classic story demonstrates the power of friendship and working together. A poor, overworked duck is made to slave away on the farm by the lazy old farmer, who spends all day in bed. Seeing their friend so sleepy and weepy and tired, the other animals decide to take a stand! They tiptoe up to the farmer’s bedroom, tumble him out of bed and chase him away! Then they all pitch in together to run their farm.

Because our whole school value is Friendship and love

The Boy who Loved Everyone

By Jane Porter

Dimitri is new at nursery, and no matter how many people (and trees) he says 'I love you' to, no one says it back. Dimitri starts to get really sad. Even the guinea pig seems to want to get away!

When Mum walks him to nursery the next day, she explains that people show their feelings in different ways: the mean old man on the park bench is telling the stray cats he loves them by giving them tuna. Berthe the dinner lady says 'I love you' with her smile. Stella, Sue and Sophie tell the birds they love them by feeding them seed. Encouraged, Dimitri starts to see that most people love others.

Because UKS2 have enjoyed a poem by michael Rosen

Out of this World

By Michael Rosen

A brand new collection of poetry by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, with illustrations by acclaimed artist Ed Vere.

What would it be like to live in the future? Or underwater? What would you do if you could go back in time? Or be a cat? Or a blood cell? What would happen if a monster ate every letter of the alphabet?

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