Welcome to the third volume of Reading Quest’s book review page for teachers and schools.

We are testing out picture books to see how children and their parents/carers respond to them in our 1-1 teaching lessons as well as in our work with families. Afterwards, we are liaising with teaching staff and examining how these books can be used in the classroom.

Why are we doing it? Well, we want to:

• Give schools some book buying ideas to make resource buying easier. We will be looking at Key Stage One youngsters who are struggling with their reading and particularly be thinking of children aged 6 and 7 years old who are behind their chronological age in their literacy.
• However, we will also be making suggestions about how these books can be used in general in a whole class situation in various subjects and focussing on different topics.

Reading Quest firmly believes that books can have many uses within schools. We work with Year 2 pupils aged 6 and 7 years old. If you have any comments on the reviews or would like to suggest some books yourself, don’t hesitate to e-mail us on jayne.lacny@readingquest.org.uk.

A plea for support

We would ask any schools buying books as a result of our reviews to order them online using the Easy Fundraising Website. Please nominate Reading Quest as your chosen charity and a small percentage of the sale will go to Reading Quest and it won’t cost you a penny more. Many thanks.

Latest reviews

Chickens can’t see in the dark
Oxford University Press Hardback £10.99
By Kristyna Litten
ISBN: 978-0-19-275679-4

The Pirate House
Macmillan Hardback £10.99
By Rebecca Patterson
ISBN: 978-0-230-75440-9

Nothing like a Puffin
Walker Books Hardback £11.99
Written by Sue Soltis and illustrated by Bob Kolar
ISBN: 978-1-4063-3581-1

Pants on the Moon
Macmillan Hardback £10.99
By Chloe and Mick Inkpen
ISBN: 978-0-230-74847-7

Daisy’s Big Dig
Frances Lincoln Hardback £11.99
By Angie Morgan
ISBN: 978-1-84780-208-8

Older reviews

Bear at Home
Barefoot Books Paperback £5.99
Written by Stella Blackstone/Illustrated by Debbie Harter
ISBN: 978-1-84148-435-0

Monkey’s Friends
Andersen Press Paperback £5.99
By Ruth Brown
ISBN: 978-1-84939-228-0

Say please, Louise!
Usborne Hardback £6.99
Written by Phil Roxbee Cox/Illustrated by Jan McCafferty
ISBN: 978-0-74608-494-6

Fussy Freya
Frances Lincoln Paperback £6.99
Written by Katherine Quarmby/Illustrated by Piet Grobler
ISBN: 978-1-84780-045-9

Christopher’s Caterpillars
Oxford University Press Hardback £10.99
By Charlotte Middleton
ISBN: 978-0-19-273231-6

My green day, 10 green things I can do today
Walker Books Paperback £6.99
By Melanie Walsh
ISBN: 978-1-4063-3001-4

Skip through the seasons
Barefoot Books Paperback £5.99
Written by Stella Blackstone/Illustrated by Maria Carluccio
ISBN: 978-1-9052-3671-8

Hidden Hippo
Barefoot Books Paperback £5.99
Written by Joan Gannij/Illustrated by Clare Beaton
ISBN: 978-1-84686-532-9

Secret Seahorse
Barefoot Books Paperback £5.99
Written by Stella Blackstone/Illustrated by Clare Beaton
ISBN: 978-1-84148-876-9

Ask Me
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Paperback £9.99
By Antje Damm
ISBN: 978-1-84780-125-8

Guess how much I love you (30 postcards)
Walker Books Hardback £6.99
Original book written by Sam McBratney/Illustrated by Anita Jeram
ISBN: 978-1-4063-3737-2

If you have any comments on the reviews or would like to suggest some books yourself, don’t hesitate to e-mail us on jayne.lacny@readingquest.org.uk.

Reading Quest’s Chosen Author

Paul Geraghty
“We are delighted to select book illustrator and author Paul Geraghty as our chosen author for Volume 3 of our books reviews”, writes Jayne Lacny, Director of Reading Quest.

South African-born Paul has produced many, many top class picture books – often with an environmental/wildlife theme – and each one is an absolute treasure with his wonderful illustrations and thoughtful stories. He’s lived in the UK since 1986 and has been the proud winner of a number of awards, including the Children’s Book Award for Solo in 1996.

Some years ago, my son (then a toddler) and I spent many happy hours exploring volumes, such as The Hunter, The Great Green Journey and Solo. As a Reading Quest tutor I was able to use his books with some of the pupils we worked with and as many came from disadvantaged homes with little likelihood of travelling, the animals Paul introduced opened up a whole new world to them. It is now superb to see our present day tutors sharing Paul’s books with a new generation.

In March 2012, I went to read to a class of Year 1 and 2 children at a local primary school in Oxford for World Book Day. I took with me Look out, Patrick! and found with each page, the children moved closer and closer – such was their concern for little mouse Patrick – until they were almost on the lap for the final page. Magical moments!

If you want a starting point to get to know Paul’s books, there is one absolute favourite and the one that I’d take with me if stuck on a desert island – Slobcat. It’s the story of a pet cat believed by its owners to be rather lazy but he’s anything but!

Next time you’re in Oxford, Paul – come and see us.