From the Booksellers
In their final column of the year, Danny (Quinn’s Bookshop) and Kirsty (Kibworth Books) explore the magic and wonder of children’s books. But never fear, they will be back next year with more recommendations!
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Danny
Engendering an early love of reading gives children (and ultimately adults) the vital ability to transport themselves to another place when times are trying, and to access the information they need to form independent identities – which is why the children’s section is one of the most important in the shop. Our bestselling children’s book by a landslide is The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions by Isabel Thomas, mainly because a local school buys a copy for each of their students as a leaving present every year! Isn’t that lovely? Replying to burning questions like: Why can’t I remember being a baby? and Do plants have feelings? with straightforward answers to debunk even the most bamboozling of topics. I am a huge fan of children’s picture books and Barbara Throws a Wobbler is no exception! Written by Nadia Shireen, author of The Good Little Wolf and the Grimwood series for older children, Barbara Throws a Wobbler is about a catastrophic day (involving accidentally stepping on cracks, strange peas and uncomfortable socks, culminating in a dropped ice cream) which causes Barbara to have a wobbler so intense that it manifests as a giant red jelly that follows her around. Exploring the concept of bad moods, what causes them and how we can (or can’t) control them. A book I think more people should know about is The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson. As a bookseller, it’s easy to get caught up in new releases, but this book is 25 years old and still going strong – for good reason. A thoroughly amusing fantasy adventure which has heavily influenced many bestselling children’s novels since, this book features a portal under King’s Cross Station which opens to a magical island, but only once every nine years. Through this, a motley crew of four fantastical friends enter our world searching for their lost prince, only to find him a spoilt, repugnant young man with no aptitude for magic. Are they doomed to be ruled by this revolting boy, or is it all a case of mistaken identity? You’ll have to read the book to find out… Kirsty Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer Geese don’t come meaner than Gordon. He thinks nothing of sabotaging an ice cream or sandcastle, and delights daily in thinking up ways to terrorise just about everyone in town – even the fellow members of the ‘Meanest Goose Society’. He’s seriously mean. But when Anthony the Piglet surprises Gordon with an unexpected gift, he is at a loss how to respond. Why is he feeling like this? And why doesn’t being mean feel so good anymore? A hilarious, heart-warming and heaped-full-of-silliness tale of empathy, courage and friendship, this makes for a brilliant bedtime read for children aged 5+. Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk ‘What if you could step into a memory?’ This is the question explored here by Dutch author Yorick Goldewijk and, boy, does it make for a memorable read! 12 year-old Cate has grown up without her mum and with a dad who is distant and locked in his own grief. Even with her beloved pet rabbit for company, she feels lonely. So, when she receives a mysterious invitation to an abandoned cinema, her interest is piqued and she soon finds herself drawn into a time-travelling adventure which will change her in ways she couldn’t possibly imagine. Breathtakingly original and beautifully written, love, loss and grief are dealt with so skilfully here, sensitively written for readers aged 10+. (Grown-ups might want to have some tissues to hand!) A Symphony of Stories: Musical Myths and Tuneful Tales by James Mayhew There are some children’s books that are just made to be pored over, read repeatedly and treasured well into adulthood. This is one such book. Six world-famous orchestral pieces from renowned composers are brought to life on the page, introducing children to the stories behind the music. Mayhew’s illustrations are nothing short of breath-taking and cannot fail to captivate. This is a stunning gift book that introduces children to the world of classical music, familiarising them with composers such as Vivaldi, Stravinsky and Debussy. Expect the pages of this book to become well-thumbed as it’s read and enjoyed time and time again. |
Issue 23
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