We continue highlighting the independent books that were part of Simon Smith’s Best Picture Books 2020.
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The Blurb
‘This tale reminds children of the importance of being kind and inclusive. It subtly demonstrates that by celebrating difference, new experiences can be enjoyed. While eloquent text presents the perspective of the unfriendly students, the new girl’s emotions are accentuated through the thoughtful page layout and delicate watercolour illustrations. This dual narrative enables readers to clearly understand how the cruel behaviour affects the girl’s emotions, helping them to develop empathy and compassion.’ Book Trust
‘In this gentle story, issues of diversity, bullying, acceptance and growing friendship are explored as the narrator (one of the bullies ) explains what happens when a new girl from another part of the world joins their class.’ Fallen Star Stories
‘An inspiring and beautiful story which I can’t wait to use in school.’ Sue Wilsher, Reading Zone
‘An intense story of inclusion, opening and transformation, so beautifully illustrated by Cathy Fisher who is such an incredible visual storyteller.’ Children of Books
Kiku starts a new school in a strange new town. The children in her class are unfriendly towards her and refuse to include her. Kiku helps introduce the other children to the art of paper folding, creating many different kinds of flowers and introducing them to her culture, helping to transform the children’s attitude towards her and their vision of themselves and their own lives in this inspiring story.
The Blurb
From two-time Caldecott Winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall!
If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other.
This stunning book is inspired by the thousands of children Sophie Blackall has met during her travels around the world in support of UNICEF and Save the Children.
* An engaging storybook about a single curious and imaginative child
* Simultaneously funny and touching
* Carries a clear message about the need to care for the earth and each other
If you come to Earth, there are a few things you need to know. . .
We live in all kinds of places.
In all kinds of homes.
In all kinds of families.
Each of us is different. But all of us are amazing.
And, together, we share one beautiful planet.
This masterful and moving picture book is a visually comprehensive guide to the earth, imbued with warmth and humor.
The Blurb
Buried amongst the treasures in Professor Brownstone’s vaults, lie a humble collection of books. Filled with legendary stories from his ancestors, they tell of fearless fighters and unlikely heroes.
Venturing into Greek mythology, this is the fourth title in the Brownstone’s Mythical Collection. Full of dangerous challenges, cunning monsters and godly heroes, this title is sure to be a hit with fans of the series and anyone interested in the fascinating tales of Greek mythology.
The Blurb
An uplifting, stunningly beautiful book about optimism in the darkest of places.
Rain before rainbows. Clouds before sun.
Night before daybreak. A new day’s begun.
A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Along the way, they find friends to guide and support them. Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. A book with immense hope at its heart, this is a positive message for anyone who’s ever gone through a tough time.
The Blurb
A ghostly love story set in a spooky, underwater world from the highly acclaimed author and illustrator P.J. Lynch.
Jacob’s father was a farmer, but after their river is dammed and their town is flooded, Jacob takes to fishing the new lake over the town. A village girl falls in love with him, and he with her, but he asks her to wait until she’s sixteen before they marry.
A year before they’re to be married, Jacob disappears into the lake, lured underwater by the ghosts who inhabit the sunken village.
For fifteen years, his fiancee fishes the lake and searches for her love while Jacob lives, unaging, with the ghosts.
It’s only when Lilith, leader of the ghosts, wants to marry Jacob, that he remembers his love for the girl above the lake and can break free to the surface, where his fiancee is able to rescue him – and, at last, to marry her love.
