Recommended Reads

I've only just started doing this blog and I'm already doing tonnes of research. If I'm not teaching, I'm immersed in the children's book world.

It's a festive time of year so I will shortly be bringing you some festive reads, some great books from 2019 and a look ahead to 2020. I don't know about ou, but I really can't wait to see what delights the children's book world will bring next year.

Whilst researching, I came across a more winter reading list than festive, by the The Publishers Association. The link for the original pdf I came across is here.

These books are in no particular order, but I will link each title to Waterstones, where the books can be bought,

I haven't listed all the the books here, just a selection. The reasons I really liked this list of books are because:

• I haven't heard of all of the titles
• They are not Christmas related (except two)
• Poetry is included

I've picked those with a nature theme (even if it's a little tenuous! So let's just dive right in with my picks ...

Pick A Pine Tree

By Patricia Toht

Illustrated by Jarvis Walker Books

Pick a pine tree from the lot - slim and tall, or short and squat! Long straight limbs or branches bent... Mmm! Just smell that piney scent!

From the winner of the V&A Best Illustrated Book 2017

From Alan's Big, Scary Teeth creator, Jarvis, and author Patricia Toht, comes a beautiful, irresistible Christmas gift book that all begins with ... picking a pine tree! Brimming over with the excitement of being with family at the festive season, a gorgeously rhythmical, read-aloud narrative accompanied by warm, joyful art celebrates all the familiar rituals of decorating the tree - from digging out jam-packed boxes of trimmings, stringing tinsel, to, at last, turning on those twinkly fairy lights.

I am the seed that grew the tree

 A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

 By Fiona Waters

 Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon

A dazzling, soaring compendium of illustration and verse, I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree presents a poem for every day of the year – including those that leap.

Capturing themes of the natural world, this sumptuous volume gathers together an exciting sweep of names, including works from Ted Hughes, William Carlos Williams, Emily Brontë, Carol Ann Duffy, John Updike, Grace Nichols and William Blake. From ice-dusted birch trees on a January night to an autumn glimpse of a hawk in flight, this landmark anthology sings with the power of language to capture the magic of our changing world.

These thoughtful poems have been gathered from all around the world, and specifically chosen to suit each individual day of the year. The selections were curated by Fiona Waters, a passionate champion of children’s literature. Waters has worked with children’s books all her life as a bookseller, publisher, author and reviewer, and won the CLPE Poetry Prize in 2005. In collecting the poems for I Am the Seed, Fiona and the publisher Nosy Crow have maintained regional spellings and usage, in order to preserve the integrity of the originals.

The captivating and playful illustrations are provided by Frann Preston-Gannon, who was previously shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2013 for The Journey Home. She has brought life and imagination to every page, enough to make children and adults alike stop in their tracks.

The Wonders of Nature

 By Ben Hoare

 Illustrated by Angela Rizza and Daniel Long

Every page reveals a surprising story from the natural world that you just won't forget.

Discover the wonders of planet Earth and learn about some of the most amazing animals, plants, rocks and minerals, and microscopic life that live here.

The storybook descriptions and close-up images let you discover the myths and legends of living creatures and minerals, as well as key facts about their natural history. Find out how the prowling jaguar uses spots to avoid being spotted, why a sticky sundew means big trouble for insects, and what on Earth a radiolarian is. From opals to orchids and tapirs to toadstools, this beautiful collection brings more than 100 remarkable items from the natural world to life.

With a decorative foil cover, gilded edges, and a ribbon for keeping your place, The Wonders of Nature is an irresistible gift for children who can't get enough of nature.

The Little Island

By Smriti Prasadam-Halls

Illustrated by Robert Starling

The Tree That's Meant To Be

Written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer

A gorgeous Christmas picture book that's destined to become a festive classic.

A little fir tree is too small and too imperfect to be chosen at Christmas time. But being left alone in the forest brings more rewards than the tree could ever have hoped for ...

This is a charming and classic-feeling Christmas picture book with a heartfelt message about love and embracing what makes us different. Families will love sharing the story and talking about kindness, generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas. Award-winning author Yuval Zommer puts the living world at the heart of his powerful storytelling.

Frostheart

Written and illustrated by Jamie Littler

Way out in the furthest part of the known world, a tiny stronghold exists all on its own, cut off from the rest of human-kin by monsters that lurk beneath the Snow Sea.

There, a little boy called Ash waits for the return of his parents, singing a forbidden lullaby to remind him of them... and doing his best to avoid his very, VERY grumpy yeti guardian, Tobu.

But life is about to get a whole lot more crazy-adventurous for Ash.

When a brave rescue attempt reveals he has amazing magical powers, he's whisked aboard the Frostheart, a sleigh packed full of daring explorers who could use his help. But can they help him find his family . . . ?

There you have it. I hope there's something there that tickles your fancy or that of your child.

Happy reading,

Allison x