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Maggie’s Red Circus Bus by Sue Wickstead

Oct2

Working Together

Maggie’s Red Circus Bus by Sue Wickstead is a most delightful book and just perfect for the under fives. The story has its’ roots in fact, as we learn from the back of the book.

The whole book is very colourful and appealing. The illustrations are full of detail and make perfect starting points for discussions with our children.

We see that the bus is at the heart of the community. It stands out as a bus but needs to be identified as a play bus. The children work together to decorate it.

Over a summer the children learn different circus skills, working towards a performance at the end of the summer.

The book teaches the importance of working together, learning new skills and how we are all part of our communities.

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Star Of The Show by Jacqueline Wilson

Sep18

Family, Loyalty & Love

Star Of The Show by Jacqueline Wilson is a most delightful, children’s historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is perfect for ages ten years and over.

The novel is set in Victorian times and surrounds a family of five children who don’t have much materially, but do have a lot of love.

The children have to fend for themselves. Each has a different talent (except for the baby) and they put their talents to work, bringing in money to support themselves and baby Ada.

The star of the book is definitely Tess. She has the ambition and drive to succeed in her dream. She also has love in her heart, spending her hard-earned money on Christmas gifts for her family and friends. She has a spirit of generosity.

We see the difference between the classes as Tess befriends Master Cedric who lives in a large house with servants. His household staff are warm and welcoming to Tess and her siblings.

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The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll

Jul31

The Adventurous Spirit

The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll is an exciting children’s historical novel that is perfect for ages ten years and over. This book will entertain you whatever your age.

The novel is set in 1616 and has its foundations in fact. There really was a Somerset tsunami. The rest of the story is fictional.

Within the book we see the disparity between the classes and the sexes. The ruling class looked down on those they deemed to be beneath them. The working class had large hearts and a spirit of generosity.

Males were seen as superior to females. It was decided that a teenage boy would be better than any woman, to rule a hamlet that consisted of women and children.

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Secrets Of A Sun King by Emma Carroll

Jul25

Educated & Entertained

Secrets Of A Sun King by Emma Carroll is an absolutely fascinating historical children’s novel that will educate you as you read. It is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The novel is set in the autumn of 1922. It surrounds the opening up of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter. This is a subject that has many myths surrounding it. Emma Carroll has spun a tale that is grounded in fact.

The novel is highly entertaining and engaging, whatever your age. It is not only set in 1922 but the reader is transported back to Tutankhamun’s final days in the form of a (fictional) letter. The reader has much sympathy for the young Pharoah who just wanted to be an ordinary boy. “Riches haven’t brought me happiness.” The true riches in life are always found in people and never in possessions.

We also see the role of women in the world. Though they had done men’s jobs during World War I, in the early 1920’s they were treated very much as second class citizens to men.

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