Books we have read this year (20-21)
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
This is a lovely lift-the-flap book about a little boy who writes to the zoo to send him a pet – the zoo sends him a variety of increasingly unsuitable animals before he finds his perfect friend.
The Little Red Hen (Ladybird First Favourite Tales Edition)
A traditional folk tale about the busy little hen, whose lazy friends are nowhere to be seen when she is working hard to grow corn, harvest the grain, grind the flour and bake the bread, but who are suddenly ready to 'help' when the bread is ready to be eaten!
Unfortunately there is not a read-aloud of this version available online.
Journey by Aaron Becker
This beautiful, wordless book tells the story of a lonely young girl who travels to a fantastic world by drawing a door on her bedroom wall. In the world she enters, anything she draws becomes real, and her adventures lead her to make friends when she comes back to reality.
Fox, by Margaret Wild (illustrated by Ron Brooks)
This is the story of Dog and Magpie, survivors of a bush fire, who become friends and go everywhere together. But when Fox comes out of the desert and into the bush, everything changes. This is a powerful story of betrayal and friendship.
Here is a read-along version of the story.
As part of our recovery curriculum we have been reading
The World Made A Rainbow
by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Emily Hamilton
Light can't shine without dark. Rainbows can't colour the sky without rain. And the world is full of hope and possibility, even when we feel lost and alone.
This beautiful, reassuring picture book is a perfect reminder of fun, hope and togetherness.
Here is a read-along version:
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy and Bill, wake up one night in their hole in a tree to find that their mother has gone. So they sit on a branch and wait... Darkness gathers and the owls grow anxious, wondering when their mother will return. But, at last, she does and they bounce up and down with joy, welcoming her home.
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
by Jill Tomlinson, illustrated by Paul Howard
Plop is a baby barn owl, just like any other baby barn owl. Except... Popl is afraid of the dark. "Dark is nasty" he says. Until his parents take him to meet all sorts of folk who like the dark, for all sorts of reasons, and Plop learns that what he thought was scary isn't so bad after all.
Here is a read-along version:
Katie in London by James Mayhew
When Katie and her brother Jack visit London with Grandma, something very unexpected happens . . . One of the Trafalgar Square lions comes to life and takes them on a wonderful tour of all the best sights!
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Grace loves to act out stories. When her school decides to perform Peter Pan, Grace is longing to play Peter, but her classmates say that Peter was a boy, and besides, he wasn't black... But Grace's Ma and Nana tell her she can be anything she wants if she puts her mind to it.
Coming to England by Floella Benjamin (illustrated by Diane Ewan)
Black History Month
The story of how Floella Benjamin travelled from Trinidad to London in the 1950's to join her parents, finding a very different world from the one she left behind.
The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas
My Hero Is You
“My Hero is You” is a book written for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “My Hero is You” should be read by a parent, caregiver or teacher alongside a child or a small group of children. It is not encouraged for children to read this book independently without the support of a parent, caregiver or teacher.
While We Can't Hug by Eoin McLaughlin
Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. Owl helps them think of different ways they can express their feelings for one another and let each other know they are loved.
