Beat the Backlist Review: Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu, audiobook read by Felix Star

Publisher Old Barn Books, cover illustration by Zainab ‘Daby’ Faidhi, October 2020

When I received an advanced review copy of Kicked Out by A.M. Dassu last week, I realised that I hadn’t actually written a review of Boy, Everywhere as I originally read it at a time when I was swamped with writing up coursework assignments and then gave my copy away. Fortunately, the audiobook was available from my wonderful public library, so my walks to and from work this week have been enriched by Felix Star’s wonderful narration of this powerful novel.

Boy, Everywhere is for people everywhere and I would urge you to read or listen to it and recommend it to everyone that you know. I honestly believe that fiction has the power to change hearts and minds and through the voice of thirteen year old Sami, the author enables us all to travel the path of a refugee and realise that their story could be our story. Sami lives a golden life in Damascus, where his father, Baba, is a surgeon and his mother, Mama, is a headteacher. He attends a good school, loves football and video games, hangs out with best friend Joseph and feels safe in the modern capital city while civil unrest rages in Aleppo. That is, until the day when the local shopping mall is attacked and Mama and Sara are caught up in the aftermath and his life will change forever.

Author, A.M. Dassu, is so clever in presenting Sami’s life in Damascus as one that resonates with readers here, so that we can truly feel his pain and bewilderment as all aspects of ordinary life – hot showers, clean bathrooms, personal space, regular meals – are stripped away on the arduous refugee journey. In writing for an upper middle grade audience, her protagonist describes the dangers and trauma of the journey through Lebanon and Turkey and across the Mediterranean on a small boat in language that allows readers to feel the unrelenting state of anxiety without going too deeply into the horrors that are experience en route. I also admired the way that Sami is presented as a regular teenage boy, resentful of the decision that his parents have made to rip him away from the life he knew whilst also struggling with the guilt he feels at having insisted that his mum should collect his new football boots from the shopping mall on the day of the explosion. He makes some foolish decisions along the way, sometimes can be a bit irritating but also reveals his kindness towards an unaccompanied Syrian teenager called Aadam who is also waiting for a boat out of Turkey.

Boy, Everywhere provides an education into the harsh and brutal reality faced by refugees as they seek safety by personalising the journey, a narrative that is often missing from the reports in the mainstream media. As well as exposing the hostility encountered in the asylum system the story also shows the difference that acts of kindness can make to an individual’s experience and outcomes. I have to admit that my favourite character in the story is Ali, a classmate at Sami’s new school in Manchester, who reaches out the hand of friendship and who is the anchor for Sami’s assimilation into his new life.

The recommended reading age for this book is 10-14, I think that many adults would benefit from reading it too. Lookout for a follow up story, Kicked Out, which will be published on 19 October 2023, it is available to pre-order now. My review of an advanced copy will appear soon!

MG Fiction Review: Worrybot by Simon Packham, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan

Cover art by Lucy Mulligan, Publisher UCLan, 3 August 2023

Ever since Josh had his self-esteem destroyed by his best friend he has suffered with anxiety, requiring counselling and a home-made, cardboard “Worrybot” to calm the worst of his fears. However, mum’s recent promotion to her dream job as a Director of Public Health means the family must move to Brighton and Josh has to start at a new school, halfway through Year 6. The attentions of class bully Ethan make it difficult for Josh to settle in and he really doesn’t want to take up his lovely teacher, Miss Wright’s suggestion that he befriend Charlie, whose presence in the classroom is a high-tech “distance-learning avatar”. Nevertheless, he begins to develop a “remote” friendship with Charlie in the absence of any everyday friendships amongst his class mates and gradually their dual back stories are revealed.

This is a beautifully paced and plotted story, dealing with issues of anxiety and school-refusal with great sensitivity. The child characters are absolutely believable, their interactions and conversations laced with authenticity. Josh’s younger sister Willow is a likeable livewire, who shows a lovely empathetic bond with her anxious elder brother. I loved the cast of adults in this book too. Their parents are supportive and positive, and Dad’s former acting career injects the book with some underlying humour, whilst he also shows real generosity of spirit to grumpy next-door-neighbour, Norman. It’s great to see a Mum with the high-flying job whilst Dad is the house-husband and the arrangement shown to work positively rather than being a source of tension in the narrative.

With a brilliant plot twist revealed at the end of term Drama Club performance, this is a compelling and satisfying read which I would recommend for children of 10+. It will make a great addition to school library collections in both primary and secondary schools and is an empathy-inducing read for any upper MG readers who enjoy contemporary fiction. There are also some useful, practical tips for managing anxiety at the end.

My thanks to UCLan Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson PR for sending me a copy of Worrybot to review ahead of publication on 3rd August 2023.

Graphic Non-Fiction: Drawn to Change the World, text by Emma Reynolds, 16 illustrators listed in review

Cover image by Emma Reynolds, Publisher HarperAlley (US) and Harper360 (UK), publication dates 12 September 2023 (US) & 14 September 2023 (UK)

Every now and again a book appears that stops me in my tracks and compels me to use that pause to reflect on the content in the context of my everyday experience and to try to make some change in response. Drawn to Change the World written by Emma Reynolds and illustrated in graphic novel format by Emma and fifteen other artists from diverse backgrounds has had exactly this impact on me. Written primarily for a Middle Grade readership, I think that this is a book that everyone should read. It is a collection of graphic novel-style biographies of sixteen young climate activists, each illustrated by a different artist who belongs to a minority group. I have named each artist at the end of the review, alongside the activist whose story they have depicted. After each comic strip biography, there is a double page of factual information including the awards and accolades that each campaigner has won and their website or social media details for anyone who wants to explore their work in more detail. There is also a summary of the climate and nature crisis at the beginning of the book and further facts, timelines and resources at the end.

As I read the biographies contained within this collection, I was struck by these thoughts:

Firstly, how astonishingly young these activists are now, and how young they were when they began their activism. It is really humbling to see how much they have achieved in their lives so far, driven by the realisation that they have to do something to halt the climate emergency because my generation have been so complacent.
Secondly, these stories make plain a truth that I was aware of but probably needed to have spelled out by those with lived experience – the consequences of pollution and climate change are suffered disproportionately by those living in minority communities and in the “global south”.
Thirdly, that we should respect the culture and practices of indigenous communities who have a connection with the land and know how to nurture and honour their environment.
Fourthly, how impactful the graphic storytelling format is when used for biography.
Finally, that there are changes and choices that I can make in my own life to try to reduce my own impact on the environment and to show solidarity with these brave and inspirational individuals. They are driven by the belief that change can happen and I feel the need to acknowledge their optimism and make a contribution to their goal.

Of course, many young readers will be very familiar with the story of Greta Thunberg and some will also know about Dara McAnulty through his books and television appearances. Drawn to Change the World shines a light on fourteen more activists from across the global community, including those from first nations and indigenous communities such as Autumn Peltier from Ontario, Canada and Tokata a member of the Standing Rock Sioux in Dakota, USA. The ingenuity and bravery demonstrated by the young people in these biographies not only illustrates their characters but also the sense of urgency that they feel about the climate emergency and the consequences for their futures if action is not taken quicklyy. Many have won national and international awards for their campaigning, some have delivered TED Talks or spoken at the UN General Assembly and some such as Arshak Makichyan and Ōu Hóngyi have had the courage to start protest movements in Russia and China. I am so grateful to Emma Reynolds and her fellow artists for bringing these profiles to life through their fantastic graphical art which will be in full colour throughout the finished edition when Drawn to Change the World is published in September 2023.

To quote Leah Namugerwa, who started the #FridaysForFuture strikes in Uganda, aged just 14:

Young people have shown the world that we can get things done – at times better than adults. That’s why organisations should have youth representatives on their governing bodies, that’s why young people should be involved in climate negotiations. We understand the needs of young people. We have the biggest stake in the future.
page 113

Drawn to Change the World is a book that needs to be in every school library, both primary and secondary (it got a strong vote of approval here from a teen who has a very discerning taste in books), I’d also recommend it to all adults of my acquaintance.

I’d like to finish by acknowledging all the artists who bring these biographical stories to life with their unique graphic art styles. I know from friends who are school librarians and teachers that the graphic novel format is extremely popular amongst students and I hope that this collection will grab the attention that it deserves.

Natasha Donovan illustrated the story of Autumn Peltier

Gloria Félix illustrated the story of Tokata

Ann Maulina illustrated the story of Melati and Isabel Wijsen

Bill Masuku illustrated the story of Edgar Edmund Tarimo

Teo DuVall illustrated the story of Jamie Margolin

Derick Brooks illustrated the story of Jerome Foster II

Emma Reynolds illustrated the story of Greta Thunberg

Shivana Sookdeo illustrated the story of Ridhima Pandey

Devon Holzwarth illustrated the story of Daphne Frias

Anoosha Syed illustrated the story of Iqbal Badruddin Jamal

Erin Hunting illustrated the story of Jean Hinchliffe

Margarita Kukhtina illustrated the story of Arshak Makichyan

Jade Zhang illustrated the story of Ōu Hóngyi

Natasha Nayo illustrated the story of Leah Namugerwa

Victoria Maderna and Federico Piatti illustrated the story of Dara McAnulty

I am immensely grateful to Emma Reynolds and Harper Alley/Harper360 for sending me an ARC of Drawn to Change the World ahead of publication in September 2023.

New series review: Princess Katie’s Kittens by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Sam Loman

Cover image by Sam Loman, publisher Piccadilly Press, 6 July 2023

A new series of illustrated, early chapter books is always cause for celebration and Julie Sykes knows how to create stories which engage young readers and help them to build confidence as they take on the challenge of independent reading. The first two books in the Princess Katie’s Kittens series are sweet, fun and filled with distinctive black and white illustrations by Sam Loman.

Book 1: Pixie at the Palace

We meet animal-loving Princess Katie of Tula in Book 1, Pixie at the Palace, as she arrives home from school and dashes off to ride her pony Misty. Meanwhile, across the city, five playful kittens are being put into a cardboard box by a weeping old lady who cannot afford to feed them. Fortunately, it is kind-hearted Katie who eventually discovers the box with the words “Please look after us” emblazoned on the lid and from the minute she opens the top and a little silver-grey tabby that she names Pixie leaps out, a rescue is planned. Unfortunately, a princess’s busy schedule means that Katie must attend a dance lesson before she can transport the box to the Starlight Palace, and while she is away, curious Pixie sets off on an adventure of his own!

This is a gentle adventure story, with just a small amount of peril which will not be upsetting for readers of 5+ but will make them want to keep turning the pages. Katie and her best friend Becky are the sort of girls that young readers would want to have as a friend and every child who loves their pets or would like to have a pet will enjoy this story. The playful names of the characters will add a layer of interest to those children who are already enjoying experimenting with vocabulary, I particularly liked Madame Quickstep, the dance instructor. At the end of the book there is a kitten fact file about Pixie and a few pages of information about how to look after a kitten. The good news is that there are four more books to come in this series, one book for each kitten and the second title is being released on the same day as the first…

Book 2: Bella at the Ball

As the Queen’s birthday draws closer, the Starlight Palace is a hive of activity. Katie’s dance lessons are intensifying as she learns the special dance that she will perform for her mother at the Birthday Ball, and Mrs Snippet the dressmaker is busy measuring and sewing the outfits for the grand occasion. All this hustle and bustle means that both Katie and Becky are having to cut short the time that they devote to playing with the kittens, and sometimes the door to the boot room, where the kittens are kept, is not always closed carefully!

Bella, the playful black and white kitten takes the open door as an invitation to explore the palace with inevitable repercussions! The chaos that one tiny cat can cause in a large kitchen will have readers giggling, but what will the consequences of ruining a birthday cake and a ball gown be for the mischievous kitten? And will Katie’s younger brother Alfie ever learn to close doors behind him? Young readers will enjoy discovering the answers in this illustrated early chapter book, which is printed in large font and is the perfect length for newly independent readers of 5+. At the end, as well as a fact file on Bella, you will find Prince Alfie’s Purrfect Cat Facts.

I think that Key Stage 1 classrooms and primary school libraries will be delighted to offer these appealing stories as choices for readers of 5-7 years old, and for those children lucky enough to have a home book collection, I expect that this is a series that will be collected and re-read.

I am very grateful to Piccadilly Press and Antonia Wilkinson PR for sending me review copies ahead of publication on 6th July 2023.

Non-fiction Review: The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers by Dr Adam S Smith & Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Stieven Van der Poorten

Cover image by Stieven Van der Poorten, publisher UCLan, 03 August 2023

This engrossing, non-fiction title beautifully demonstrates the dynamic nature of scientific understanding to young readers as it examines the evidence from recently discovered fossils and explains how this has helped scientists to update their theories about Tyrannosaurus rex. Written by palaeontologist, Dr Adam S Smith with children’s author, Jonathan Emmett, it never patronises its audience but provides clear, accessible explanations which are vividly illustrated by Stieven Van der Poorten.

In a clever and engaging twist, we are taken through the evolution of scientists’ understanding of this magnificent dinosaur by a cheeky velociraptor who wishes to give a museum T rex exhibit an evidence-based makeover! From the well-known stance of T rex, which was influenced by the way that the first whole skeleton was displayed in the early 1900s, to the position of the arms and nostrils, a new picture of T rex emerges as you progress through the book. Fossils found in 1988 show that this dinosaur only had two fingers, rather than three and perhaps most startling of all, it is now thought that T rex had at least some of its body covered in feathers.

I have never yet met a nursery or primary school child who is not fascinated by dinosaurs and I think that the blend of humorous dialogue between the T rex and velociraptor, teamed with the factual panels and dramatic illustrations will grab their attention. There is a double page spread at the end of the book which provides some more detail about the way that scientists construct theories from the fossil evidence, as well as a timeline of T rex fossil discoveries. For those who wish to immerse themselves further in palaeontology, Dr Adam S Smith has a fact-filled website plesiosauria.com which you can explore.

The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers is an essential book for introducing science concepts to primary school children. I am most grateful to UCLan Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson PR for sending me a review copy ahead of publication on 3rd August 2023.

Non-fiction review: Art is Everywhere by Joe Haddow, illustrated by Ellie Hawes

Cover image by Ellie Hawes, publisher UCLAN Publishing,
6 July 2023

With this book, author, podcaster, producer and drummer, Joe Haddow throws open the doors to the world of “the arts” and welcomes everyone with open arms. I was charmed by his chatty, inclusive writing which encourages every reader to participate in one or more of the arts and assures them that their opinions and preferences are valid. The engaging tone is further enlivened by varied font choices and graphics as well as black and white illustrations by Ellie Hawes. At a time when financial and political decisions are preventing many children from having the opportunity to explore creative arts, I am sure that this book will be welcomed by many schools, libraries and homes.

Joe sets the tone of the book by introducing himself and explaining his own lifelong passion fro art in all its forms. Growing up he watched his Dad painting which turned him into a collector of modern art; the experience of being read to by his mum developed his love of books and reading. He learnt to play the drums in childhood and got into radio production when he was at university. His career has encompassed many art forms and I was especially impressed that he had toured as a drummer with one of my favourite singer/songwriters, Sara Bareilles!

The entire book feels like a direct conversation with an adult who genuinely wants to impart their own enjoyment of a particular hobby to a young audience, in the hope that they will derive the same joy. The inclusivity of this book is seen in the broad range of music, dance, poetry, acting, comedy and artistic styles that are introduced. In addition to talking about the creative arts generally, I felt that a great strength of this book is the recommendation of individual artists and where their work can be viewed for free online. I also loved that readers were advised to check with their parents/carers before using the online information sources. This gentle guidance from a cool adult will hopefully inspire young readers to begin exploring the art world and start to discover what moves and inspires them. His message that there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to creating or appreciating art is such an empowering one for youngsters, who are sometimes put off by gatekeepers opining on good or bad art.

Art is Everywhere will be published on 6 July 2023 and I highly recommend it to Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 school libraries and classrooms or to gift to any child of 9-13.

I am most grateful to UCLAN publishing and Antonia Wilkinson PR for sending me a review copy of Art is Everywhere ahead of publication.

MG Review: The Mystery in the Marshes by Mark Dawson & Allan Boroughs, illustrated by Ben Mantle

Cover image by Ben Mantle, published by Welbeck Publishing,
January 2023

I have seen a lot of chat on Twitter in recent days about the fact that particularly post- lockdown, and the disruption to education, many children are choosing not to read longer books leaving school librarians or primary school teachers, searching for shorter length, engaging paperbacks for their pupils. Having read this third adventure in the After-School Detective Club series this afternoon I would say it fits the spec perfectly. It is 271 pages in length, but printed in a larger font than usually found in MG novels, and with extra line spacing, making it super readable and appealing to all readers of 8+.

The After-School Detective Club consists of four friends from very different backgrounds and a loyal dog who seem to fall into adventure as they explore the Suffolk landscape. It transported me back to my seven-year-old self, discovering the Famous Five books many years ago. I am sure that today’s young readers will derive the same pleasure from this book (and others in the series) which is certainly superior to the Enid Blyton books I enjoyed so many years ago. Like them, it would appear that each individual mystery can be read entirely as a standalone book, so important when many children have to rely on library books rather than being able to collect the whole series themselves.

As The Mystery in the Marshes begins, the friends have very different reactions to a letter inviting them to participate in a Duke of Wellington awards camping trip, in keeping with their distinctive personality traits. Athletic Lucy cannot wait for a weekend of outdoor activity. Young genius, Max, wants to deploy any modern piece of equipment which can make the dread of spending time in the great outdoors more comfortable. Cool, funny, Joe wants to make the most of his final chance to spend time with his friends before his rich parents send him away to boarding school to separate him from children that they consider inferior and a bad influence on their son. Meanwhile, fierce, independent Charlie faces the weekend with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment about the fact that her mother’s financial situation means she will have patched up, second-hand equipment.

Co-writers, Mark Dawson and Allan Boroughs, have plotted a tense, pacy, mystery story, written in accessible language and featuring characters with which all children can identify. The addition of black-and-white artwork by Ben Mantle, illustrating key scenes in the story only helps the total immersion in this enjoyable adventure. As the children and Charlie’s dog Sherlock set off on their camping expedition to Black Heath Wood in the Suffolk Marshes, there is much joking about reported UFO sightings around the nearby US Airbase. When Max needs a nighttime “bathroom” trip and sees mysterious lights across the flat, misty landscape his sense of panic about an alien invasion is soon superseded by a more terrifying and ruthless enemy.

Humour, tension and boggy mud are in abundance in this lively tale. I particularly enjoyed the ghastly portrayal of PE Teacher Mr Finnegan and the comic nature of Max’s interactions with this smug, polyester-clad bully. For an action-packed read, laden with kindness, bravery and a very unusual implementation of an electronic marshmallow toasting fork, I highly recommend The Mystery in the Marshes.

My grateful thanks to Welbeck Publishing and Antonia Wilkinson for sending me a review copy of this book.

Non-Fiction Review: The Truth Detective – How to Make Sense of a World that Doesn’t Add Up by Tim Harford, illustrated by Ollie Mann

Cover image by Ollie Mann, published by Wren & Rook, 16 March 2023

This is a book about how to think clearly about the world.
page 6

Read this book and find out how to be a truth detective, meeting some heroes and villains of the information game along the way. Tim Harford provides an exceptionally clear guide to making sense of the “infodemic” distilling his ideas into 10 simple rules which form the 10 chapters.

Working as a health librarian, I have a professional interest in information literacy and I’m very aware of the need to train children and teens in the skills that they need to navigate the vast array of sources of information, misinformation and disinformation, which they encounter on a daily basis. I therefore wholeheartedly recommend guide which enables a discerning approach to assess the reliability of any information source. It is presented in an engaging style that can be clearly understood and accessed by anyone age 10 and above. I would say that The Truth Detective is an essential purchase for any primary school library or Year 5/6 classroom and also for any secondary library or sixth form learning resource centre.

Author, Tim Harford, who is a well-known broadcaster specialising in the communication of ideas related to maths and statistics, cleverly blends factual text, real life scenarios and relatable cultural figures, ranging from Darth Vader, via Sherlock Holmes to Jack Monroe, to illustrate his explanations. In Chapter One, entitled Don’t Fool Yourself, the author describes the evolutionary instincts, which can often lead us astray when considering whether to believe a new piece of information which has been presented to us. Using Darth Vader’s classic line “search your feelings” he encourages us to consider that our own inherent biases might get in the way of clear thinking.

Rather than always, following our gut instincts on what to trust, we are advised to use observation and deduction to work out the truth. Asking ourselves questions such as: does this idea make sense; does this story conflict with something that I know to be true; is the source trustworthy? He also provides advice about how to check on the sources of a particular piece of information. In this way we can overcome what is known as confirmation bias, and enable ourselves to sort truthful information from that which might be designed to mislead.

Further chapters look at topics such as: looking at information through different lenses; knowing when to put the magnifying glass down and use our own clear sight; using statistics to try to see the truth or big picture; making sure that we observe the labels on any data that is presented to us; asking what is missing from an information source; making the right comparisons between pieces of information; using graphical representation of data; helping to build a statistical radar and finally sharing curiosity. Each chapter is presented with an exciting blend of text, graphics (by Ollie Mann) and case study information including relevant information heroes or villains. It is a book which can be read cover to cover, or consulted according to a particular data investigation need. This book provides a valuable tool kit, which will be helpful to very many young people and indeed adults who want to see through the noise and take agency over their information consumption.

Many of my reviews are posted on this blog are for books which have been sent to me by publishers or book publicists, in this case, The Truth Detective How to Make Sense of a World that Doesn’t Add Up, is a book which I purchased myself because of my professional interest in critical appraisal of information. I heartily congratulate Tim Harford and WREN and ROOK for producing such a valuable resource which I highly recommend to everyone.

MG Review: Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions by Carrie Sellon, illustrated by Sarah Horne

Cover art by Sarah Horne, publisher Guppy Books, 8th June 2023

Fully loaded Margherita anyone? At The Little Pizza Place you’ll get more than you bargained for!

There’s a lot on Pete‘s life menu:

The arrival of Fox Pizza, a chain run entirely by robots, threatens the existence of the small neighbourhood pizza takeaway, that his dad has run single-handedly since Pete‘s mum died when he was only two years old.
He hasn’t been able to face going to school for the past month due to his extreme anxiety following a panic attack
Dad’s mum, Granny Tortoise, keeps having funny turns and is now living in the thoroughly depressing Flowerdown Care Home.
He needs to help dad raise £10,000 in four days, or they will lose their home and business.
Oh, and he and best friend Anna have found a briefcase full of mysterious potion bottles in the attic, and a few drops of grow potion on top of an undersized Margherita has caused his head teacher, Mrs Winterbottom’s head to explode!

At this point, Pete‘s anxiety levels caused him to feel

a pressure on my chest, like a long string of mozzarella was wrapping itself around my insides, squeezing tighter and tighter.
page 11

Can Pete, Anna, and Anna’s dog, Useless, put things right with the busload of teachers and save the day for The Little Pizza Place or will interference from Pete’s arch enemy, Archie, cause further mishap? This fun filled story of the desperate attempt to change a small family business into the coolest pizza place in the world will have readers laughing all the way to the nearest takeaway. In amongst all the laughs, the magic and the increasing chaos, there is a warm heart at the centre of this story; the importance and meaning of home. At 202 pages and with Sarah Horne’s hilarious black-and-white, illustrations scattered throughout, this book follows the perfect recipe to encourage any child of 8+ to read for pleasure. I highly recommend it to teachers in Key Stage two and primary school librarians, and indeed anyone who wants to give a child a book which will provide a deliciously entertaining read. At the end of the story there is an easy Margherita Pizza recipe, a perfect way of making this book fully interactive, either at school or perhaps as a summer holiday activity at home. This debut novel by Carrie Sellon marks her out as an author who understands what middle grade readers want in a story, and I will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment of Pete’s adventures.

I am most grateful to Guppy Books for sending me a copy of Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions to review on my blog.

Picture Book Review: Pea Pod Lullaby by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King

Cover art by Stephen Michael King, publisher Old Barn Books, June 2023

I wanted to post my review of Pea Pod Lullaby, a wonderfully subtle and poignant picture book during #RefugeeWeek2023 as it made me reflect so deeply on the plight of refugees. This is a book that eloquently expresses the interconnectedness of climate change and conflict and their dual impact on the poorest members of the global community. As I sat reading it on a family beach holiday I was struck by the difference between my experience of the coast as an environment for relaxation and the wildly different resonance that the coast must have for those who are displaced.

This truly collaborative book began as artwork painted onto the walls of the Manning Regional Art Gallery in Australia by Stephen Michael King. Having started the painting, he was joined by Glenda Millard who added the words, adapting her poem as the artwork progressed. The result is an absolutely beautiful book depicting the voyage of a mother, a baby, a child and a dog (joined en route by a polar bear) as they flee from conflict, holding on to the hope that they will be welcomed into safety.

The tiny boat sailing on a vast expanse of ocean in many of the spreads is a breathtaking representation of the precariousness of life for so many in our world. I found that each individual line of the poem caused me to pause and make a detailed observation of the art, and I know that this is a book I will want to return to repeatedly. The overall impression is one of awe at the resilience of the human spirit.

I think that primary school teachers and librarians will want to use Pea Pod Lullaby at every age level, there are so many ways in which this book can be studied and enjoyed. It would also make a wonderful gift for a young child. To the best of my memory I have never before seen an image in which the synergy between climate change and displacement is so subtly portrayed as in this spread on pages 7 and 8.

image of pages 7 and 8 from Pea Pod Lullaby, artwork by Stephen Michael King,
words by Glenda Millard

I am hugely grateful to Old Barn Books and to Liz Scott for sending me a review copy of Pea Pod Lullaby in exchange for my honest opinion.