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If you are a West Sussex Primary school and subscribe to the Schools Library
Service, click here to benefit from a 25% discount on any books purchased
through our Book Purchase Scheme. All paperbacks come with dust jackets for a
longer shelf life and non-fiction has decimal classification spine labels attached. AR
labels may be applied on request to those books which are registered on the
Renaissance website.
For more ideas of new books and good books to share during the winter holidays, join us for the autumn term Primary Book Chat on
Tuesday 3 December 3.45pm – 4.45pm (MS Teams)
SLS Primary Book Chat
Discover new books recently added to the SLS catalogue and take part in an informal chat with colleagues across the county about children’s publishing and best practice. A prize draw is also open to all participants on the day.
The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty ISBN 9781915244666
A touching picture book about loss and grief that doesn’t shy away from saying that life isn’t always happy and that sometimes people die. However, wise Gerda Bear shows Bertle the turtle a way forward by encouraging him to think about all the happy memories he has of his friend Hertle Hare, so that these fill the hole she has left in his life.
Beautifully illustrated by Thomas Docherty.
The Rainbow Flamingo by Catherine Emmett. ISBN 9781471181726
Adele the flamingo wants nothing more than to fit in, she is desperate for her feathers to be pink like all the other flamingos. But as the flamingos prepare to perform in the fabulous Flamboyance Parade, Adele begins to discover that standing out isn't so bad after all.
This is a fun, colourful picture book told in rhyme with the theme of being yourself.
What We Wear When We Take Care by Sarah Finan. ISBN 9781529520392
We often wear things to protect ourselves in different environments, whether it’s goggles when snorkelling or helmets whilst riding a bike. Sometimes it’s headphones around loud noises, or neon vests when crossing a busy street, or warm gloves in the freezing snow. Whatever the situation calls for, special gear keeps us and others safe.
Equal parts fun and informative, with child-friendly artwork and sound words to engage the youngest readers, this picture book aimed at two to five year olds looks at the gear we wear, from head to toe, which helps us take care when exploring and enjoying the world around us.
Hank Goes Honk by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie. ISBN 9781801046527
Hank is a very rude goose. He doesn't see anything wrong with interrupting others when they're speaking. He makes honks in the library and movie theatre and he pops his friends' balloons! He's really upsetting everyone!
But Hank isn’t having fun, in fact he’s feeling very lonely. Will Hank find a way to be more considerate of his friends? This book has themes of friendship, recognizing others’ feelings, and being considerate of those around us.
Crookhaven: The school for thieves by J J Arcanjo and Euan Cook. ISBN 9781444965735
Gabriel is a pickpocket to help keep a roof over his head and put food on the table for Gran and himself. He might be a thief but he tries to be as honest as he can. However, when he is recruited to join the secret school which trains its students in subjects such as Forgery, Deception and Crimnastics he cant help being drawn in to a world where his skills are admired.
Will he be tempted to become crooked or will he return to his Gran empty handed? Or is there a third option, to assemble a crew of his own?
This is a page-turning, mystery adventure with a few elements of magic, sleight of hand and the criminal underworld all set in a location very similar to the modern world.
Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat. ISBN 9781915026354
An Egyptian-based time travel fantasy adventure from debut author Laila Rifaat. Aliya never thought there was anything special about her or her family. But, when she is whisked away to a magical school for time travellers, Aliya discovers that she is, in fact, very special indeed. Pursued by dark forces and tempted by mysterious offers from anonymous sources, Aliya must learn what is right and true to successfully save the ones she loves.
This is an action-packed fantasy full of engaging characters and fascinating Egyptian history and folklore.
A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders. ISBN 9780571310982
It’s 1973 and Jenny has been cast as one of four children in a film that bears a striking similarity to ‘The Sound of Music’. The children and some family members spend their summer filming in France, during which time problems are overcome, new relationships develop and ‘The Music Makers’ is made. A thoroughly enjoyable read with some funny moments, the story also touches on World War 2, mental health issues and alcoholism.
Kate also wrote Five Children on the Western Front which is the sequel to the classic novel Five Children and It by Enid Nesbit.
You Don't Know What War Is by Yeva Skalietska. ISBN 9781526659934
This is a diary of a twelve-year-old girl from the Ukraine.
Yeva is just twelve years old; she records the first few months of the conflict between Russia and her home country the Ukraine in her diary. She describes the devastation of war including when she and her grandmother flee to the basement of their flat.
Channel 4 hear of Yeva’s diary and her story makes the headlines. Her diary tracks their journey as they leave everything they’ve ever known. The book contains diary entries, photographs, and text message conversations with Yeva’s friends.
The diary is a moving account which shows Yeva’s bravery but also her vulnerability at a tender age. It depicts what war does to ordinary people. In her final note she finishes with ' We are only children, and we deserve a life of peace and happiness!'
A good informative read for Upper KS2. It is highly relatable due to the author’s age.
She Speaks: The women of Greek myths in their own words by Honor Cargill and Camellia Pham. ISBN 9781915569509
She Speaks is an entertaining and accessible introduction to Greek mythology from the female perspective. We often hear about the Gods of Olympus and their stories of heroism and derring-do, but here is a book which tells of the tale of each of the Greek Goddesses. Told from their own personal point of view with colour pencil illustrations and captions in bold which highlight significant parts of the text.
Accessible for confident readers in key stage 2.
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Lifesize: Ocean Animals by Sophy Henn. ISBN 9781839946226
Sophy Henn’s latest title in the Lifesize series of oversize picture books is Ocean Animals. Compare your tooth with the tooth of a Megladon Shark or open the double page spread to see just how long a Spide Crab’s legs are. This is a book for all ages which will fascinate and amaze anyone interested in ocean life. Data at the back of the book reveal the dimensions and vital statistics of the individual animals featured in the book.
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Fly by David Lindo and Sara Boccaccini Meadows. ISBN 9781915569295
Everything you have ever wanted to know about birds is contained in this slightly larger than A4 hardback. Half the book is dedicated to features of birds and the other half is dedicated to habitats where birds live. There are also pages on conservation, migration and the urban jungle.
There is a glossary and a bibliography of further reading, but no index. Perfect for browsing this topic.
There are two other titles in this series which are equally as lavish as this one: Glow (Space and the Universe) Grow (Plants, trees and flowers).
Supernatural Creatures. Published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd ISBN 9780241656938
Supernatural Creatures introduces the reader to mythical creatures from around the world. From Chimeras and Golems to the Roc and Mothman. As you would expect from DK the layout is clear, illustrations and photos are vivid immersive with narrative text and captions perfectly complimenting each fascinating horror!
One to dip in and out of. Perfect for KS2 classroom collections.
If you have any queries about the books you have read about in this newsletter or you would like to know more about new books and how to source a wide range of texts to support the children in their reading over the Christmas holiday period you can email us.
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