Teach-Primary-Issue-19.2

Book CLUB We review five new titles that your class will love 86 | www.teachwire.net My Path by JanaCurll (£7.99, Nosy Crow) Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, ill. Matt Rockefeller (£12.99 HB, Harper Alley) KS1/2 EYFS/ Y1 Body Detective! Decode Your Sensory Signals by Janet Krauthamer, ill. Christiane Engel (£14.99 HB, Barefoot Books) EYFS/ Y1 Loss, an epic journey and a creative approach to palindromes drive this story of a boy whose quest for truth delivers more than he expects. Sumptuously illustrated in graphic-novel style and drawing on video gameplay, this stunning picturebook follows a grieving boy as he struggles to ask his mum an all-important question. Battling through fantasy landscapes to a ruined tower, his mum’s gift changes every aspect of his journey home, and as he retraces his steps, the boy weaves a visual whole-book palindrome. Satisfying to read as a simple visual adventure, but conceptually challenging and layered with meanings, Drawn Onward rewards close observation and thoughtful questioning, and will be enjoyed by a wide age-range. “Every path is special. So choose yours… and keep going!” Every morning, Snail sets off along a path. Sometimes it’s easy and they have company, sometimes they have to make their way alone. Unexpected obstacles get in the way, and Snail might need to ask for help. But as long as their path feels right, Snail keeps going, and small-scale triumphs ensue. Expressive characters, exciting visual shifts and a well-judged text make for a rewarding read. The tough beauty of the natural world is skilfully evoked, and small fingers will enjoy following Snail’s silver path across each spread. My Path presents an important lesson in a light-hearted, easy-to-follow way, and sets the stage for creative retellings and informed discussion. We use our eyes to see and our tongue to taste, but how do we know we’re feeling hungry, nervous or relaxed? Join the Body Detective to discover more about the amazing ways our brains and bodies communicate in this non-fiction board book about interoception, the internal signals that tell our brain what’s going on. Nine everyday feelings are described, one per spread, with answers hidden behind sliding tabs. The visually inclusive pictures depict common situations – in the kitchen, outdoor play, performing on stage – that young readers will recognise, and two final lift-the-flap spreads provide more information. Well-designed and fun to explore, this chunky book presents intriguing facts in a child-friendly way, promoting individual ‘reading for pleasure’ as well as group sharing.