Yes, it’s been a very long while! I underestimated the all consuming nature of teaching especially as an NQT. However, as a year four teacher, I have had to read a range of wonderful children’s fiction. Here are my faves so far…
How to Train Your Dragon. Iwas pleasantly surprised to find out that the book differs to the movie! So to my teacher readers, this is a great one for predictions and as a hook, particularly for boys, to find their love for reading. My class were very eager for it to be our class text based on some prior knowledge and the fantasy genre. Another positive is the authors choice of language, especially for children’s fiction! Stunning, high-level vocabulary fills the pages and she does repeat them which is excellent as a learning tool. Although, the characters name bother me aka “Snotlout” and “Hiccup” as well as heavy speech. Cressida Cowell tells the tale of “Hiccup Haddock Horrendous the Third” (awful, I tell you!) the son of the chief, to remain part of the Viking tribe, he and his generation must capture a dragon and train a dragon otherwise they will be exiled. With themes of heroism and unlikely friendships.
Ruby’s Worry by Tom Perceval. During a staycation visit to Leeds with my old housemate and fellow teacher, we enjoyed a trip to Waterstones where he recommended this picture book. With stunning illustrations amongst carefully selected colour choices, Ruby’s Worry was a perfect stimulus for my year fours kids regarding worries and emotions. Stunning pages depict our black protagonist (so instantly relatable for child me!) who discovers a worry which she attempts to ignore, until this vibrant worry cannot be ignored any further…
Not as we Know It by Tom Avery I’m not sure how I feel about this one! I was hooked by the Portland coastal setting and mysterious creature quest. However, the creature isn’t the main focus of the story, instead it’s the protagonist’s dying twin. I commend the author for writing about children often forgotten in children’s fiction, although the quest could have been further developed.
This was just a bit about each children’s book, which I recommend for any age to enjoy!
Amber Reads something 