Teach-Primary-Issue-20.1

Book CLUB We review five new titles that your class will love 62 | www.teachwire.net The Snow Girl bySophieAnderson, ill.Melissa Castrillon (£7.99, Usborne) The Winter Snow Goose byGill Lewis, ill. Irina Avgustinovich (£7.99, Barrington Stoke) KS1 KS2 Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant by CraigBarr-Green&FrancisMartin (£7.99, Little Tiger) The fourth book in Gill Lewis’s heart-warming educational series takes us to the end of summer, where Tia feels like everything is changing. Her mum, the island vet, shows her a flock of pink-footed geese who have migrated from the far north. Among them is an injured snow goose. Tia and her best friend Nat must work together to care for the snow goose through the winter. When storms prevent the ferry from bringing supplies from the mainland and the island loses power, the islanders come together to look after each other and share the stories of their lives. Through new traditions, Tia learns to welcome change and embrace new beginnings. This uplifting story contains dyslexia-friendly vocabulary, page tint and font, making it accessible for everyone. Sophie Anderson reimagines the traditional Russian tale of The Snow Maiden through a beautiful story of the magic of snow, friendship and overcoming fears. Tasha and her parents have gone to live on her grandpa’s farm. When the first snow falls, they build a wonderful snow girl – the kind of friend Tasha wishes she could have. To her amazement, she discovers wishes on snow can come true. Each night, the Snow Girl comes to life. As Tasha spends time with this sparkling friend and learns more about the traditional stories of snow spirits, she realises she has powers of her own. She has a choice – to give in to the anxiety that overcomes her and stay in the shadows of winter, or push through the cold to find her strength and step out into a new season of courage and hope... This spirited young heroine lets everyone know what she thinks! On a school trip to the art gallery, Gina spends some time in the Reading Room and picks up a very familiar tale. According to Gina, the story of Jack and the Beanstalk is full of BIG mistakes and she’s going to fix them! She communicates through her feelings chart with face emojis and by explaining to readers just what she’s going to do to make sure the giant is treated fairly and not misunderstood as a villain. Starring a neurodiverse main character, this story is honest and illuminating – demonstrating strategies that help Gina communicate her feelings, her lovely relationship with a TA, and actions that make her trip to the art gallery a success. KS2