Well here it is!
The NEW school year is upon us and we are all (hopefully) ready, rested and raring to go. I hope that you have all had a break which has relaxed and inspired in equal measure and to are looking ahead to the exciting new things that lay ahead of us.
So, here is the first Reading Newsletter of 2019-20. I wanted to share a few books that I have read over the Summer (almost 20 now I think!), but my 'To Be Read' list has grown more than it perhaps should have!
What have you read? Let me know and I can share some books you have enjoyed next month.
WELCOME BACK AND HAPPY READING!
Mr Watson
EYFS Book of the Month
An out-of-this-world interactive adventure from Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott!
This time, an adorable alien has crash-landed in YOUR book! UH OH!
We think you're the PERFECT little reader to help Alien back up into space, by jiggling, bouncing and turning your book upside down! Because aliens don't belong here on Earth . . . do they?
There's an Alien in Your Book is the next in the series of bestsellers There's a Monster in Your Book and There's a Dragon in Your Book. It's packed full of interactive fun, with a gentle message about openness, acceptance and inclusion that will speak to the very youngest readers.
'Featuring bright, colourful illustrations and interactive fun, There's an Alien in Your Book, is a magical story with a kind gentle message at its heart' Baby Magazine
MR WATSON SAYS: This is just a fun, read aloud, read it again, silly story that will put a smile on everyone's face. It's just lovely!
KS1-Y3 Book of the Month
One morning the townspeople of Dull-on-Sea wake to find that their town is overrun with rats. Big rats, small rats, fierce rats, hungry rats - it is an infestation! Just when everyone is at their wit's end, a nautical stranger who plays the pipe turns up and offers to get rid of the rodent problem - for a fee.
Once that rats have gone, the greedy mayor refuses to pay - so the Pirate Piper plays an enchanted tune and leads the children away. It's up to Matilda, Jim and Nugget to save their friends.
The fourth title in Jonny Duddle's bestselling Jolley-Rogers fiction series.
MR WATSON SAYS: Do you recognise the theme? Do you?
Of course you do, it is The Pied Piper of Hamelyn! This is a really good, fun spin of that story. This may be the fourth in Jonny's series, but I really enjoyed it - enough to start seeking out the first 3 books!!.
Y4-6 Book of the Month
'Fans of Nevermoor will love this quirky debut, fizzingwith humour, scares and vivid world-building.' THE BOOKSELLER
Emily's parents have vanished into the secret world of the Midnight Hour - a Victorian London frozen in time - home to magic and monsters. Emily must find them in the city of the Night Folk, armed only with a packed lunch, a stowaway hedgehog and her infamously big mouth.
With bloodthirsty creatures on her tail, Emily has to discover the truth to rescue her parents. What family secret connects her to the Midnight Hour? And can she save both worlds before she runs out of sandwiches?
MR WATSON SAYS: I absolutely loved this story. It has something of everything! Mystery, Magic, Monsters and Missing Parents! Follow Emily on her journey to save her mum and dad, her home and possibly the world. All she has is a weird key and a sleepy hedgehog to keep her company - and her 'Gob', she has that too - unfortunately!
Author of the Month
Sophie Anderson
Sophie Anderson grew up with stories in her blood, from her mother, who is a writer, to her Prussian grandmother, whose own storytelling inspired The House with Chicken Legs.
Born in Swansea but now living in the Lake District with her family, Sophie loves walking, canoeing and daydreaming. Her dream is to create stories that help children to explore the world and fall in love with its beautiful diversity.
You can visit Sophie at:
MR WATSON SAYS: The House with Chicken Legs was my favourite book of 2018, I have had the pleasure of reading an early copy of The Girl Who Speaks Bear and it too is utterly brilliant!
Sophie's stories are rich tapestries of language and scenery that transport you to the forests, mountains and seashores they describe. Her characters are rich and full and are so easy to empathise with, you will find yourself feeling as they do and rooting for them!
Excellent author, fabulous stories.
Your Recommendations...
Of course this Newsletter shouldn't be just about my choices.
I would love to hear recommendations from you too.
If you have read and enjoyed a book and think that someone else might enjoy it too, then share the name of the book and author with me, along with a brief summary of the plot and why you think someone else would enjoy the book.
Share the love of books.
You can E-mail your ideas, recommendations and reviews to: mike.watson@eagle.lincs.sch.uk
How can you help encourage your children to read?
Remember as always, reading is a beautifully subjective thing... if you don't like a book, think about why before giving up.
Might it be worth another chapter?
Do you understand what is happening?
Use these thoughts to shape your future choices.
HAPPY READING!!
Mr Watson
Credits:
Created with images by Jonas Jacobsson - "untitled image". Book synopsis and author biography from Amazon.co.uk. Other sources cited.