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Books for Keeps 185 - the children's book magazine online

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BfK No. 185 - November 2010
BfK 185 November 2010

Cover Story
This issue’s cover illustration is from John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury’s There’s Going to be a Baby. This book, as well as an exhibition of John Burningham’s work, is discussed by Julia Eccleshare. Thanks to Walker Books for their help with this November cover.

Digital Edition
By clicking here you can view, print or download the fully artworked Digital Edition of BfK 185 November 2010

BfK No. 185 Articles

Editorial – November 2010

News and comment from the Editor.

Walter Crane: A revolution in nursery picture books

Lesley Delaney explains Crane’s revolutionary approach to learning to read.

Christmas Books for Giving

Rosemary Stones on books for younger readers.

To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th anniversary

Geraldine Brennan assesses its impact.

Ten of the Best: Graphic Novels

Clive Barnes chooses his top ten titles.

BfK Basics: Helping your child enjoy books and reading

Margaret Mallett suggests ways to start a home library.

Mr Gumpy and other Outings: John Burningham at Seven Stories, Newcastle

Julia Eccleshare discusses a Seven Stories exhibition on John Burningham.

Authorgraph No.185: Michelle Paver

Michelle Paver is interviewed by Nick Tucker.

Obituary: Hazel Townson

Hazel Townson: 1928–2010

Obituary: Lesley Agnew

Lesley Agnew: 1944–2010

Obituary: Eva Ibbotson

Eva Ibbotson: 1925 - 2010

BfK Briefing – November 2010

Awards * News

Useful Organisation No.53: The Faber Academy

A creative-writing programme based in the Bloomsbury offices of publisher Faber and Faber

Hal’s Reading Diary - November 2010

Roger Mills on how Hal dislikes loose ends in stories.

I Wish I’d Written… Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Linda Chapman chooses J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Good Reads: Owl Academy, New Jersey, USA

Reviews from pupils of the Owl Academy, New Jersey, USA.

Classics in Short No.84: Don Quixote

Brian Alderson on Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote.

Books for Anti-Bullying Week (15-19 November) and beyond

Books for Keeps Editor, Rosemary Stones offers a list of appropriate titles.

Bartimaeus and the Ring of Solomon

Extract from: Bartimaeus and the Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - the film - how good is it?

The film of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ has just been released.  Julia Eccleshare went to see it…

Christmas treats

Books for Keeps Editor, Rosemary Stones, recommends two handsome volumes for younger readers of about 5-8 that will be treasured.

Editor's Choice

Otto, the Autobiography of a Teddy Bear

Tomi Ungerer
(Phaidon Press)
5

In 1940 Ungerer’s native Alsace was annexed by the Nazis and the then 8-year-old Tomi subjected to Nazi indoctrination in school. This powerfully moving picture book tale of Otto the teddy bear is perhaps a riposte to that experience.

Told...

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New Talent

Unhooking the Moon

Gregory Hughes
(Quercus Children's Books)
5

12-year-old Canadian Bob doesn’t remember much about his mother who died when he was little. He lives with his father who drinks too much but is an excellent cook (French onion soup and olive bread soon get a mention) and his quirkily wayward...

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All Children's Book Reviews in BfK No. 185

  • Under 5s
  • Ages 5-8
  • Ages 8-10
  • Ages 10-14
  • Ages 14+
  • Books About Children's Books

Under 5s

  • Look Out Leon!

    Jez Alborough
    5
  • Iris and Isaac

    Catherine Rayner
    5
  • Ginger and the Mystery Visitor

    Charlotte Voake
    5
  • Fortunately, Unfortunately

    Michael Foreman
    5
  • Busy Boats

    Susan Steggall
    4
  • Winnie in Space

    Valerie Thomas
    4
  • Just Because

    Rebecca Elliott
    4
  • I'm Number One

    Michael Rosen
    4
  • Green Eggs and Ham

    Dr Seuss
    4
  • Out and About in My Boots

    Christina Goodings
    3
  • Sir Laughalot

    Tony Mitton
    3
  • Wake Up!

    Katie Cleminson
    3
  • Tinysaurus

    Sheryl Webster
    3
  • Bears on the Stairs

    Julia Jarman
    3
  • A Bit Lost

    Chris Haughton
    3
  • I Want to Do It by Myself!

    Tony Ross
    3
  • The Sticky Doll Trap

    Jessica Souhami
    3
  • Music

    Polly Goodman
    1

Ages 5-8

  • Eddie’s Toolbox: and How to Make and Mend Things

    Sarah Garland
    5
  • Lola and the Rent-a-Cat

    Ceseli Josephus Jitta
    5
  • Instructions

    Neil Gaiman
    4
  • Three by the Sea

    Mini Grey
    4
  • Firebird

    4
  • Madame Pamplemousse and the Enchanted Sweet Shop

    Rupert Kingfisher
    4
  • Hudson Hates School ¦ It’s Called Dyslexia

    Ella Hudson
    3
  • Mary’s Penny

    Tanya Landman
    3
  • Stories for a Fragile Planet

    Kenneth Steven
    3
  • The Heartless Robots

    Simon Bartram
    3
  • Wasim One Star ¦ Wasim’s Challenge

    Chris Ashley
    3
  • The Three Little Witches

    Georgie Adams
    3

Ages 8-10

  • Michael Rosen’s Big Book of Bad Things

    Michael Rosen
    5
  • Otto, the Autobiography of a Teddy Bear

    Tomi Ungerer
    5
  • Taff in the WAAF

    Mick Manning
    Brita Granström
    5
  • Animals at the Edge

    Jonathan Baillie
    Marilyn Baillie
    5
  • FArTHER

    Grahame Baker-Smith
    4
  • Doctor Bonkers!

    Jeremy Strong
    4
  • Dustbin Cat

    Ingrid Lee
    4
  • Worse Things Happen at Sea!

    Alan Snow
    4
  • A Boy Called M.O.U.S.E.

    Penny Dolan
    4
  • Frightfully Friendly Ghosties: Ghostly Holler-Day

    Daren King
    3
  • Swarf

    L P Howarth
    3
  • Fetlocks Hall: The Unicorn Princess ¦ Fetlocks Hall: The Ghostly Blinkers

    Babette Cole
    3
  • Wanted!

    Kate Thompson
    3
  • Philippa Fisher and the Stone Fairy’s Promise

    Liz Kessler
    3
  • Grow Your Own Monsters

    Nicola Davies
    Simon Hickmott
    3

Ages 10-14

  • Unhooking the Moon

    Gregory Hughes
    5
  • Forest Born

    Shannon Hale
    5
  • Dancing in the Dark

    Peter Prendergast
    4
  • The Ogre of Oglefort

    Eva Ibbotson
    4
  • Cherry Crush

    Cathy Cassidy
    4
  • Candor

    Pam Bachorz
    4
  • Wishful Thinking

    Ali Sparkes
    4
  • I Shall Wear Midnight

    Terry Pratchett
    4
  • The Mourning Emporium

    Michelle Lovric
    4
  • Flood and Fire

    Emily Diamand
    4
  • Loving Spirit

    Linda Chapman
    3
  • Shadow of the Ninja

    Andrew Matthews
    3
  • Trash

    Andy Mulligan
    3
  • A Most Improper Magick

    Stephanie Burgis
    3
  • The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight

    Jenny Valentine
    3
  • Witch Breed

    Alan Gibbons
    3
  • What’s the Point of Being Green?

    Jacqui Bailey
    3
  • The Dead

    David Gatward
    2
  • The Cabinet of Curiosities

    Paul Dowswell
    2
  • Put Out the Light

    Terry Deary
    1

Ages 14+

  • Genesis

    Bernard Beckett
    5
  • The Radleys

    Matt Haig
    5
  • The Children of the Lost

    David Whitley
    5
  • Angel

    L A Weatherly
    4
  • Passing Strange

    Daniel Waters
    3
  • Almost True

    Keren David
    3
  • Dark Secrets 2: No Time to Die and The Deep of Fear

    Elizabeth Chandler
    3
  • The Cardturner

    Louis Sachar
    2

Books About Children's Books

  • Choosing and Using Fiction and Non-Fiction 3-11

    Margaret Mallett
    5
  • The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature

    4
  • Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl

    Donald Sturrock
    3

BfK News

LONGLISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 CILIP CARNEGIE AND KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS

The longlist for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced.

CKG Logo

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LONGLIST ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 KLAUS FLUGGE PRIZE

Klaus Flugge Prize logo

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NOW OPEN: 2021 HENRIETTA BRANFORD WRITING COMPETITION

Finish a story started by Branford Boase Award winner Liz Hyder

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, is now open.

read more...
TWO UK ENTRIES ON IBBY LIST OF OUTSTANDING BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Every two years, IBBY invites nominations for its international List of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities. Nominations are made by IBBY national sections and the final list is selected from these by the IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Young People with Disabilities, based in Toronto. Because of its international content, the list is unique in the children’s book world. It is a huge voluntary undertaking as every country is encouraged to submit up to twelve titles across the three categories.

read more...
LONGLIST FOR THE 2021 BRANFORD BOASE AWARD

The longlist for the 2021 Branford Boase Award has been announced. Set up in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of Walker Books, the Branford Boase Award is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children.

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NATASHA FARRANT WINS 2020 COSTA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD

Natasha Farrant

Writer and literary scout Natasha Farrant has won the 2020 Costa Children’s Book Award for Voyage of the Sparrowhawk, a book which the judges described as ‘pure heavenly escapism and a purely joyful read.’

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ROBIN WALKER WINS THE 2020 ALCS EDUCATIONAL WRITERS’ AWARD FOR BLACK HISTORY MATTERS

The winner of the 2020 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award is Black History Matters: The Story of Black History, From African Kingdoms to Black Lives Matter. Written by acclaimed Black historian, Robin Walker, the 2020 judges praised this accessible, comprehensive and inspiring book which provides a timely introduction both to Black history and the Black Lives Matter movement.

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IBBY UK nominate Marcus Sedgwick and David McKee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award 2022

IBBY UK has announced that Marcus Sedgwick and David McKee will be the UK nominations for the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award.

read more...
SHORTLIST FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD 2020

Debut authors Darren Charlton and Jenny Pearson join Natasha Farrant and Meg Rosoff on the shortlist for the 2020 Costa Children’s Book Award.

The shortlist for the 2020 Costa Children’s Book Award has been announced. No less than 146 books were submitted and from those the judges have chosen a shortlist of four. They are:

Wranglestone by Darren Charlton (Little Tiger)

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BOOKTRUST’S REPRESENTS INTERIM RESEARCH & CLPE REFLECTING REALITIES SURVEY 2020

CLPE Reflecting Realities Report 2020

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