Children's Literature in Primary Schools

A classic adventure story of pirates, hidden treasure and a young boy's great adventure. Some of the language is archaic and even Y6 children may need help to access some of it, but it can prove a good introduction to writing from an earlier age. Some discussion of life on large sailing ships might also be necessary. Nevertheless, the excitement of the story should appeal to Y6 classes.

The old film may be useful but some modern revisionist interpretations go a long way wide of Stevenson's original story!

One of the very earliest children's books of the first great Golden Age of children's literature, the classic story of Alice's magical adventures has been interpreted in many different ways. Beware of using any of the film or television versions in class to accompany your reading – many directors have all put their own distinctive take! The poems and songs can set off good imaginative writing, as can ideas such as the magic potions and size changes.

Four children, and their baby brother, find a magical creature in a sand-pit, who has the power to grant their wishes. However, these rarely turn out as expected. The book's Edwardian setting adds interest, and though some historical details will need further discussion, the characters and their conversation and actions remain fresh and humorous. An excellent starting point for imaginative work on “What would you wish for?”

The story has two sequels, The Phoenix and the Carpet and The Story of the Amulet. Nesbit's many other works include both magic-based stories and more straightforward ones such as The Railway Children, all told with the same humour and engaging style.[Page 205]

This book is the second in Blyton's Faraway series, but seems to be the best-known and loved. The Faraway Tree has an ever-changing rotation of different lands at the top, and the children who climb it explore them in a series of adventures. Although Blyton is often criticised for the blandness of her writing, her simplistic and sometimes patronising style, there is no denying that these books have been favourites for many years and continue to give children a taste for reading, which can only be a good thing! The original stories have been bowdlerised slightly for a new generation – for instance, Dame Slap is now Dame Snap and terrorises her classes by shouting at them rather than with corporal punishment.

Perhaps a book for children to find for themselves rather than to be used whole as a class text, but nevertheless the case can be argued for it having a place.

Mole leaves his house underground and discovers a whole new life on the river bank with his new friend the Water-Rat, meeting Mr Toad and Mr Badger and helping to rescue Toad from the consequences of his exciting adventures when he steals a motor car and is sent to prison. Although some of the attitudes may need careful explanation with a young audience, and two chapters (“The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” and “Wayfarers All”, both of which are outside the main thread of the story) are often omitted for the young, the beauty of the descriptions and the humour of the characters continue to delight new audiences.

In particular, the detailed descriptions of interiors of rooms could be the stimulus for writing activities.[Page 206]

Two sisters have a “year of naughtiness” while their father is away: their adventures include the magical (turning themselves into kangaroos and solving a mystery in a zoo) and the exciting (rescuing their father from imprisonment in the wicked Count's castle). A wide cast of characters and a constant pace of events make this book sheer comical entertainment, and a possible starting point for imaginative work. Who hasn't wanted to stow away in a removal van? What animal would you choose to turn into?

Danny is initiated by his father into the excitement of poaching pheasants from the local unpleasant landowner. Dahl's eye for detail, and for narration at the right level, makes this a real page-turner. It has been made into a film starring Jeremy Irons with his own son, Sam, playing Danny. The film sticks closely to the text and would be very suitable for classroom use. The story could lead into PSHCE discussions of right and wrong and breaking the law.

Roald Dahl's other works are mostly too well-known to need listing – always original and sure to engage children.

Susan possesses a bracelet with an unusual stone in it: she does not know that this is an ancient and magical weirdstone, which is being sought by dark forces from many centuries ago. With her brother Colin, and with the assistance of a mysterious wizard, she must save the stone from the enemies who are trying to seize it, including a shape-shifting witch. A fast-paced and action-filled story, imaginative and exciting.

There is a sequel, The Moon of Gomrath. Some of Garner's other writing is more suitable for older readers, as his style became more elliptical, but those who enjoy this might also enjoy Elidor.[Page 207]

Mary is a lonely and disagreeable orphan when she arrives to live at her uncle's vast and remote house, but gradually discovers the pleasures both of watching the neglected garden come to life and of developing friendships. Her relationships with Dickon, the maid's brother who is a straightforward Yorkshire boy, and Colin, her spoilt and self-centred cousin, are described with sensitivity and realism.

This book has been filmed and televised many times, and has a charm not always found in the author's Little Lord Fauntleroy which was a bigger success in her lifetime. Children who enjoy it are likely also to enjoy A Little Princess, which again has an independent-minded orphan heroine. (In this book, filmed and televised several times, Sara suffers a downturn of fate and being made a maid in the school where she had once been prize pupil.)

Two families of children in the Lake District spend the summer sailing, camping and having self-reliant adventures which, although perfectly prosaic on one level, are always enhanced by the imagination of the children. A girl alone on a lake island becomes Man Friday to herself, a man who lives on a household is a retired pirate… Although Ransome's world of the 1930s is one of considerably more freedom from adult interference and such concerns as Health and Safety, the personalities of the characters and their relationships have not dated and Ransome's own maps and illustrations bring the stories vividly alive.

The first of Ransome's 12 children's stories, Swallows and Amazons has been filmed several times in a sympathetic and faithful way.

Sophie and her mother are surprised when a tiger turns up at their house for tea – and more surprised by his unending appetite! He eats and drinks everything in the house, so that when Sophie's father gets home the family have to go out to a café for tea. A very simple story whose appeal has not dated, with Kerr's detailed and charming illustrations in which the tiger is smiling and saturnine rather than wild or threatening.[Page 208]

Eleven-year old Harry suddenly learns that he is a wizard, and finds a whole new world in which he can escape from his boring life. The first story to introduce the whole detailed world of Hogwarts and its magical education, which is now captivating a second generation of readers. Humour, fast-paced adventure, magic and a range of thoroughly convincing and varied characters make this story a practically universal pleaser. J.K. Rowling kept complete editorial control of the film script, which means that the film is totally faithful to the book and can enhance any classroom reading.

Barney makes friends with Stig, who seems a mysterious survivor from Stone Age times. Their adventures lead to a magical night when time zones cross and Barney, with his sister, sees the building of a great monument of standing stones. Much of the book's enduring appeal lies in the efforts at communication between the boys from different worlds, and Stig's reactions to aspects of modern life – a good starting point for many imaginative activities.

Stig has been filmed and also made into a television series, largely available on YouTube.

Almost too well-known to need introducing, the first story in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia continues to enchant new generations of children from the first moment when Lucy finds a strange snowy country in the back of a wardrobe, to the final conflict between the great lion Aslan and the wicked White Witch. Sometimes criticised for its underlying Christian message, the book and its successors are still wonderful imaginative stories which can be enjoyed at face value.

The recent films of this and the next two books, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, are fairly faithful to the text and would be useful in the classroom. Although The Magician's Nephew is a prequel in the time-sequence of the books, it is better read later.[Page 209]

Despite the recent expansion of this story into three epic films, the original remains a fairly straightforward magical adventure with a range of lively characters, and a range of humour, wit, excitement and suspense. The introduction of a range of creatures, both nice and nasty, can inspire the imagination and enthral audiences. The story lends itself to possibilities of drama and illustration, and the songs and poems in the story could be a basis for creative writing activities.

The adventures of the original well-meaning but often rather dim bear, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, remain fresh and the humour of the characterisation and situations continue to delight, despite their exploitation by the Disney studios. These stories were written to be told or read aloud, rather than tackled by young readers, so sometimes the language is slightly more demanding than the stories – a wonderful opportunity for a range of voices!

The sequel, The House at Pooh Corner, carries on the story and introduces new characters such as Tigger, Kanga and Roo.

The countless and unbelievably naughty children of the Brown household are tamed into order by the fearful and magical Nurse Matilda. The riotous behaviour and the terribleness and logic of the punishments make these stories a perennial delight, ideal for reading aloud and sharing. For example, when the children refuse to get up in the morning they find themselves confined to bed with measles for the day; when they refuse to say please and thank you they must repeat their actions over and over until they will say “Please stop!”. Edward Ardizzone's illustrations capture the humour of the stories beautifully.

Although the recent “Nanny McPhee” films were based on the idea of the stories, they represent a very watered-down and saccharine version.[Page 210]

Only 700 words long, this rhymed story is a delight for children who will enjoy joining in with the ends of the lines. A small mouse walks through the woods, and warns off all the fierce animals who want to attack her by threatening them with the Gruffalo… then she comes face to face with the real Gruffalo. The endearing pictures are never too scary, and there are useful lessons about not being afraid of things which seem alarming.

The book has rapidly achieved classic status since its first appearance, and the sequel The Gruffalo's Child is becoming equally well-loved.

Stories to be read aloud, for the best appreciation of Kipling's love of the sounds of words and the pleasure of repetition. “How the Elephant got his Trunk”, “The Cat that Walked by Itself”, and “How the Armadillo Became” are humorous delights of fantasy. In some of the stories Kipling's nineteenth-century colonialism might need some explanation or editing; strange gods appear, for instance, and attitudes which are no longer within the range of political correctness. Nevertheless, the life and humour of the stories continues to appeal to new generations of readers.

This is the first of the series in which Wilder recounts the true story of her childhood and early life on the Great Frontier in the nineteenth century, as her pioneering father wants to move the family ever further West. The close family atmosphere and the relationship between Laura and her older sister Mary keep the interest lively, and the detailed descriptions of such events as butter-churning and “sugaring-off” the maple trees would enhance history work on the USA or farming.

There are six more books waiting for readers who want to follow Laura's growing-up: Little House on the Prairie, probably the best-known, has vivid descriptions of Victorian-style schooling, and By the Shores of Silver Lake describes the building of the railroad heading west across the undiscovered continent, all through young eyes at first hand.[Page 211]

There are four volumes of these stories, in which a clever little girl constantly outwits a fierce and hungry but extremely stupid wolf, most of whose plots to catch her are based on familiar stories and rhymes. In the classroom, a reminder of the original story first might help with understanding where the wolf goes wrong – as he does, every time.

The wit and humour of the writing goes well beyond the enjoyment of the very small, and these stories can be enjoyed for years. Polly is a sensible and matter-of-fact girl, whose reasoning and explanations always outwit the wolf.

This series of books featuring the adventures and inventions of an eccentric professor was first started in the thirties, and the settings have a period charm, although Hunter wrote the later volumes until as late as 1983. They are filled with comic characters and ideas, and could be the trigger for imaginative or serious work on inventions and discoveries. The naming of the characters (Colonel Dedshott, Mrs Flittersnoop) could also be a spark for creative writing.

Heath Robinson's illustrations add much to the early books, and there have been films of the Professor made by the BBC and starring Harry Hill, as recently as Christmas 2015.[Page 212]

Tom goes to stay with his uncle and aunt when his brother has measles, in a flat which forms part of an old Victorian house. When he goes downstairs at night he finds the house and garden as they were 50 years ago, and gets involved with the life of Hatty, who lives there, also with an aunt. His understanding gradually grows, and the final scene has often been called one of the most moving in all of children's literature.

Although the book was written in 1958 and some context may need explaining – measles and quarantine, for example – the characters and dialogue remain fresh and original.

The book can also provoke discussion about how houses, landscapes and people change over time, and even about the nature of reality. One of those books everyone should encounter, it has come to be regarded as a classic of the second Golden Age of children's books.

Bill Simpson wakes up one morning to find that everyone sees him as a girl and he has a new frilly pink frock to wear to school. As the day progresses, he finds unfairness and frustration on all sides at the differences from his life as a boy. These range from practicalities (no pockets in his clothes) to attitudes and perceptions – his anger is dismissed as “being a bit upset”. Interestingly, we are never told whether he has actually become a girl for the day – Bill's own self-image is still firmly set in being a boy. Still relevant 40 years after publication, the story challenges and raises consciousness about differences in attitudes towards girls and boys.

Funny, memorable and provocative, the book has been filmed and also has a range of classroom resources available online, as well as a book published by Scholastic on further ideas for its use in schools.[Page 213]

This wonderful interactive book uses many well-known traditional stories as its springboard, as the postman goes from house to house delivering messages to familiar characters such as Cinderella and the Three Bears. The book includes eight separate and removable letters, each in its own envelope. An excellent starting point for early writing – replying to the letters, or imagining the scene when each letter is received.

A wide range of well-designed classroom resources for using this book is available online, many of them free.

Stanley Lambchop is flattened into two dimensions when a heavy board falls on him. He soon discovers the advantages of his new state – entering rooms by sliding under doors, for instance, or posing as a picture on the wall to foil art thieves. The fast and funny adventures of Stanley and his younger brother first appeared in 1964 but have a perennial appeal.

Twenty years after the original book, the author started to write the first of six sequels following further adventures of Stanley. The idea of the books has given rise to the Flat Stanley Project, an international initiative in which letters, journals and ideas are sent to other schools around the world in envelopes with a Flat Stanley cut-out – more information on this can be found on the project's website.

This timeless series of books for the younger reader – 22 books in all – feature the comic adventures of the world's least scary (and least efficient) witch and her cat, often accompanied by their friend Owl. The clear lively drawings and simple text invite discussion and engagement.

The stories are also widely available on YouTube and on DVD.[Page 214]

Every child has probably had the “What if you were all alone on a desert island?” idea: this book takes this ubiquitous thought further. Michael is sailing round the world with his parents when he is washed overboard one night and lands on a remote island; while he is working out how to live there alone, he discovers that there is another inhabitant, Kensuke, a Japanese doctor and WWII soldier, who has been there since 1945. The two gradually and realistically build a working relationship which is totally convincing for the reader.

All of Morpurgo's many books can be recommended without reservation for use in schools – he has a gift for narrative and dialogue which are clear and natural.

Dave takes his favourite toy, Dogger, everywhere with him, and when Dogger goes missing a huge search is launched. This is a very engaging story for younger children, with pictures full of interest and detail, and a happy ending. A good starting point for discussion of favourite toys, and looking for lost things, which could lead into writing activities.

Shirley Hughes’ books are always full of visual detail which can be enjoyed in depth, and often deal with simple but familiar situations (feeling shy at a party, going to the shops or the seaside).

This colourful book for younger children has won a number of awards for diversity. Handa sets out through an African landscape with a basket of fruit for her friend, but as she walks a variety of animals steal the different fruits. When she arrives there is a fresh surprise for her. The pictures help children to predict and follow the story.

There is an animated version of Handa's Surprise available on the internet, and a wide range of associated teaching resources.[Page 215]

One of Jacqueline Wilson's first and best “issue” novels for children, in which she confronts the experience of children for whom separated parents, step-siblings, and commuting between two households, become the pattern of their lives. Andy is ten and dislikes both her mother's new partner and her father's partner's two children. Her only friend is the toy Sylvanian rabbit she has had since she was tiny… Andy gradually becomes more isolated at school and dreams of a return to her secure childhood. By the end of the book she has learnt to accept the new order to a greater extent, and to found better relationships with her new families.

A good book for helping children in similar situations to talk about their own lives and problems; the first-person narrative makes the story personal and accessible.

Harmony is ten and wants nothing more than an animal of her own – then her uncle Ginger sends her a coin which grants her ten wishes. The familiar theme of “what would you wish for?” is given an original and involving narrative offering plenty of opportunity for discussion, role-play and creative writing.

The book was adapted into several television series, and also a radio adaptation, all fairly faithful to the novel.

A cheerfully revolting series of choices, from the mildly silly (Would you rather an elephant drank your bathwater or a hippo slept in your bed?) to the downright disgusting (Would you rather be made to eat spider stew, taste slug dumplings, chew mashed worms, or drink a snail shake?), presented with lively pictures and a rhythm built for reading aloud. This book is guaranteed to provoke discussion and entertainment! Younger children will enjoy making their choices and suggesting more of their own.[Page 216]

Twelve-year old Dennis has an ordinary life of school, home with dad and big brother, and football, but always feels different – until he becomes friends with Lisa, an older girl, and discovers the thrill of wearing glamorous dresses and shoes. The story is told with humour and incident, and Dennis's friends and family show remarkable ease, after initial shock, in accepting his choices. This is a light story with no overt references to sexuality or life-style; an underlying reaction to Dennis missing the softer side of life since his mother left is there to be picked up, but is never spelt out.

Children's books by celebrity authors are often criticised for elbowing their way onto the shelf; nevertheless, this one is original and written in a voice and idiom which appeal to the junior age-range.

This series of books – seven in all – combines traditional boarding-school stories with the added element of magic. The magic is mostly light-hearted without the darker elements of the Harry Potter canon, and much of the books’ humour arises from the central character, Mildred Hubble, getting things wrong and her spells having unexpected effects.

A good range of characters and original stories make these books favourites in an increasingly popular genre.

This much-loved book for very young children introduces the idea of an egg changing to a caterpillar and finally to a butterfly, and is good for simple counting practice. Much of the appeal lies in the novelty of having holes in the pages through which a caterpillar, or a finger, can poke as the caterpillar eats its way through an ever-changing diet. Reinforce the edges of the holes before you let small children handle the book![Page 217]

The opening line, “Where's Pa going with that axe?”, sets the mood – Wilbur the piglet, runt of the litter, is threatened with untimely death. He is befriended by Charlotte, a spider who lives in the barn, and is eventually saved by becoming a celebrity on the agricultural show circuit, thanks to the mysterious slogans which Charlotte weaves for him.

This book defies categorisation in many ways – a favourite since it appeared more than 60 years ago, it has a heroine who dies near the end of the book, a mixture of human and animal characters, and an ending neither wholly happy nor sad. It has been filmed both in animated and live versions.

While staying in an old Derbyshire farmhouse, Penelope travels to and fro into the world of the same house in Elizabethan times, and gets involved in the family's plots to save Mary Queen of Scots. The book gives well-researched domestic detail of Elizabethan life, and a good introduction too to the politics of the day. Some of the locations described are still standing and open to visitors, so for those within range a trip might be possible.

The Moomins are a carefree and adventurous family who live in a magical valley somewhere in Scandinavia, though they sometimes travel to distant and exotic places. The author's own illustrations show us the creatures, white and cuddly, without any unnecessary detail in the writing as to exactly what and why they are. The nine books detailing their adventures are filled with humour, excitement, magic and above all a cheerful family optimism.[Page 218]

Timid, orphaned Sylvia comes to stay with rich and daring Bonnie in her great house in Yorkshire. But soon Bonnie's parents are missing and the horrible new governess is making many changes to the household… A splendidly Gothic series of adventures ensue, in a lively and exciting story. This is the first in Joan Aiken's long series set in a parallel history, in which the Jacobeans are the ruling house and the wicked Hanoverians constantly plot to overthrow them.

This book can be enjoyed as sheer entertainment, but could also tie in with history work on the nineteenth century and conditions of child labour.

These stories of a stubborn, mischievous and constantly inquisitive little girl are excellent for reading aloud to younger readers. There are five volumes, all in finite five-minute episodes which are constantly fresh and entertaining. Although they were first written in the 1950s, the situations (such as going to a party or sharing toys) are still those relevant to small children's lives.

Shirley Hughes’ illustrations add to the charm of these stories: there are resources online illustrating their use in a KS1 classroom.

A new housing estate is built on the site of an old manor house and country park. This enrages the eighteenth-century landscape gardener who first designed it, and the new occupants are haunted by the ghost of the original grounds, in a completely unexpected way. Tim, Jane and Tim's granddad set out to solve the mystery.

A funny and original story which could be a starting point for discussion of how and why landscapes change and towns develop.[Page 219]

Greg Heffley struggles with the expectations of his family, friends and school about what a red-blooded all-American boy should be like. He tries to cope with life in his middle school but his ideas and strategies do not always work out well. The books are presented as a hand-written and illustrated diary, with short chunks of text and frequent cartoon-style drawings, which can enhance their appeal to reluctant readers.

This series of books makes good reading and discussion material, especially for boys at the upper junior age-range.

Winifred is astonished when the new owners of her friend Iggie's house turn out to be African-Americans – the first in the neighbourhood. As she gets to know them and sees some hostility from certain neighbours, she comes to reconsider her own feelings about people different from herself. Although this story first appeared in the UK in 1980 and some of the reactions from neighbours may seem out-of-date, the story is still funny and provocative, with strong characterisations and dialogue.

Judy Blume's books always confront issues such as religion, family problems, changing schools or growing up, with humour, wisdom and realism. An excellent author to use as an introduction to sensitive topics which might arise in PSHCE.

Astonishingly, this book is more than 25 years old, but still rings fresh and true. Grace wants to play Peter Pan in the school play but is told by friends that she can't because Peter Pan wasn't a girl and he wasn't black. The strength of the story and the power of the beautiful illustrations send as clear a message today as they always have. A wonderful introduction to equality issues in the classroom.[Page 220]

A picture book for the younger age-range, with a wealth of possibilities and online resources (including an animated version) for classroom use.

Bernard's parents are too busy to pay attention when he finds a monster in the garden: they ignore his successive appeals to them, and don't even seem to notice when the monster eats Bernard, simply accepting the monster in his place and putting him to bed in their son's place. The story can be enjoyed at face value, or possibly interpreted as the “monster” representing Bernard having, and giving way to, a tantrum.

Carrie and her brother Nick are evacuated to deepest Wales during World War 2 and learn gradually to come to terms with the new world they find themselves in: the strict shopkeeper who runs the household and his sister with inflexible severity, the mysterious sister who lives down in the valley, and the kind but downtrodden “Auntie Lou” who wants to make the children happy.

Nina Bawden's many books for children all show strong characterisation as well as a narrative which constantly engages and surprises the reader, as well as giving a strong sense of place. This is a worthwhile book in its own right, but would also fit well with history work on World War 2 or evacuation.

A tried and tested favourite for early readers; a child repeatedly writes to the Zoo to send him a pet, but there is something wrong with all the Zoo's offerings until they finally get it right. This book is a gift for “all join in” activity – guessing what animal is inside each book, working out what is wrong with each one, and recognising the simple and repetitive elements of the text.[Page 221]

The recent feature film, and various television animations, have helped keep the small bear from darkest Peru popular for more than 60 years. Much of the humour is derived from Paddington's reactions to the everyday life of the Brown family with whom he lives, finding the absurd and unexpected in such situations as travelling on the underground, shopping in a big store, or going to a party. His literal interpretation of idioms, and a good range of characters, make this book and its sequels continuously entertaining.

Pippi is nine, the strongest girl in the world: her father is a sea captain and she lives alone with a horse and a monkey. From the first page it is obvious that these stories are going to be different and exciting! The humour and inventiveness of the adventures into which Pippi leads her friends from next door, Tommy and Annika, remain fresh 70 years on from their first appearance.

Pippi's reaction to such situations as school, and her own brand of logic applied to life, are always original and engaging.

Dinah starts at a new school with her foster-brothers but soon finds that something very strange is going on: the prefects and her fellow-pupils have their minds and memories controlled. How and why this is done is the mysteries the three set out to solve. They find themselves pitting her wits against a very strange Headmaster who thinks everything would be better under his complete control. This is an exciting and lively story, which has been made into a television series. The first book was followed by a sequel, The Prime Minister's Brain, and then a number of other books featuring the Demon Headmaster in the title.[Page 222]

Naughty children are guaranteed to appeal, and the constant variety of Horrid Henry's evil schemes, plots and practical jokes, often directed against his brother Perfect Peter, are lively both in their narration and in Tony Ross's illustrations. The stories are told in accessible language and although Henry's machinations are unusually sophisticated for his age, they are engaging and usually result in a satisfactory comeuppance for him.

All the children in the books, of which there are currently 24 as well as 33 “Early Readers”, have alliterative nicknames (Moody Margaret, Gorgeous Gurinder etc.) which could be a starter for writing activity. Many episodes and materials are available online.

During World War 2, Will is evacuated from his deprived life in London to find a whole new world of friendships and experiences in the country, where he is billeted with an ageing widower. The story of his stay is both moving and full of interest, full of event and well-drawn characters. The book was faithfully filmed with John Thaw in the title role.

Details of wartime life are often explained, and the book would fit well with a historical project work set in this era; however, death and cruelty to children are both themes which occur in the book, and sensitivity may be needed.

A boy builds a snowman, who comes alive at night and takes him on a magical adventure – but by the morning he has melted away. A wordless picture book, with an animated version which has become a classic of Christmas television.

The detail in the pictures, and the wordlessness, make this a perfect stimulus for imaginative story-telling work with younger children.

Raymond Briggs’ detailed pictures in his Father Christmas books are also a delight which can be enjoyed over and over again.[Page 223]

Andersen's Fairy Tales

Andersen's stories have contributed so much to the heritage of British childhood reading that their inclusion needs no explanation. Every child should have the chance to read the original, unDisneyfied telling of such stories as Andersen's The Little Mermaid and The Snow Queen, as well as the lesser-known tales. Poignancy and even sadness are elements in these stories, reflecting Andersen's own unfulfilled life, but the stories in their original versions are the richer for it.

The night Max wore his wolf suit… This story has become the subject of much psychological analysis, and has been adapted into a stage show, a feature film and even an opera. However, for the age-group who love it best it remains a simple story of how Max's bed becomes a boat which sails to the island of the wild things, where Max has a “wild rumpus” with them before returning home to find his supper is still hot.

The monsters are never too frightening, and they make Max their king in a most endearing way. The story has been interpreted as that of a little boy having a tantrum, giving rein to it and then returning to normal; however, this analysis is not necessary for the enjoyment of this favourite.

Clear pictures of a family expedition make this an ideal book to share with a young class joining in with the simple and repetitive text, going through the traditional chant. This is a book for reading aloud and sharing, with plenty of opportunity for sound effects and all joining in.[Page 224]

Charlie and Lola, the sensible big brother and the wilful little sister, have become familiar through television and comic off-shoots, so the original books have some appeal and acquired glamour from these. Lola is full of the prejudices of toddlerhood and is gradually persuaded into new experiences. A popular book with small children, this can be a starting point for discussions of their own likes and dislikes.

There are several similar titles in the series, such as I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed (2001) and I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (2003)

The Grimm brothers devoted much of their time to collecting old folk stories, and not all of them were comfortable or even originally intended for children. However, the Grimms’ telling of Hansel and Gretel or Snow White have charm and detail which are often lost in simple retellings, and the Gothic atmosphere of many of the stories has a perennial appeal to imaginative children.

Ten-year-old city boy Tom is sent to spend the summer on his uncle and aunt's farm while his parents are away. At first he is lonely and dislikes everything, but after he sees the black fox and her cubs in the wood his view changes and he comes to develop a relationship with the natural world. But his uncle is a farmer and has no time for foxes, so how can Tom try to save his new friend? Tom's real problems in life are mingled with his fantasies and ideas, which make the story continuously involving. Classwork on this book could offer plenty of opportunities for drama, debate and writing in role.

Betsy Byars has written many children's books and is a winner of the Newbery Medal for The Summer of the Swans.[Page 225]

The perennial appeal of this and all of Beatrix Potter's stories lies as much in the charm of the illustrations and the format as in the simple stories. The books are small and child-sized, and neat squares of writing are framed on white pages which make the stories look accessible to young readers. Peter Rabbit is naughty and disobeys his mother, always a winning feature, and has a narrow escape from the wrath of Mr. McGregor.

Modern children may be surprised by the realism of the fact that a gardener may actually shoot a rabbit for his wife to put in a pie! Peter is appealing and wears a little blue coat, but Potter's sentimentality goes only so far.

At the beginning of the story Oliver only eats chips. He tells his grandpa that he doesn't like vegetables. But grandpa has a wonderful garden where he grows his own, and after a week of munching through beetroot, rhubarb and spinach, Oliver declares that vegetables are delicious! An appropriate book for exploring healthy eating.

Earthsea is a world of islands and ocean. Ged, an orphan, is a goatherd on one of the more remote islands, until he finds that he is to be sent to the school of the Mages and learn to be a wizard or Mage. The beginning of the story, then, has much in common with others from Harry Potter to Star Wars. Le Guin's skill in atmospheric writing and characterisation, and in developing the ideas of her magic world in which “to light a candle is to cast a shadow”, makes this an exciting and gripping read for the older primary age-range.

This is the first book of a trilogy, followed by The Tombs of Atuan and The Farthest Shore. [Page 226]

Lyra, who lives in a version of Oxford which is both similar to and unlike the real modern city, becomes involved in a magical quest to discover the nature of “dust” and to stop the State-sanctioned “Gobblers” from separating children from their daemons or souls. In this world, the daemon is a small familiar animal which accompanies its owner everywhere and all the time. In children, the daemon changes form frequently; when adulthood is reached, the form becomes fixed in the creature which best reflects the person's inner nature.

A book for more mature readers at the top end of the primary school, both because of the complications of the story and the sophisticated level of the subject matter itself. This is the first story in Pullman's Northern Lights trilogy, which continues through a range of universes in the epic search to establish “the republic of Heaven”. It has been suggested that this trilogy and its underlying ideas offer a direct rebuttal of Lewis's overtly Christian messages in the Chronicles of Narnia.

Simple, bright drawings and a clear multi-coloured text present for early readers the idea that although families come in different shapes and sizes, all are important and strong, and your family is special no matter what it's like. A good starting point for discussion about all kinds of diversity.

Once upon a time there lived a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued. One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister's fears. When he doesn't return his sister has to pluck up the courage to go through the tunnel too. She finds her brother in a mysterious forest where he has been turned to stone…

This story could lead into discussion of sibling relationships and feelings towards one's brothers and sisters.[Page 227]

The idea of miniature worlds is always one which fascinates, and the world of the tiny Borrowers who live under the floorboards by “borrowing” from the giant worlds of Human Beans has a wide appeal. A hatpin and a scissor blade are their tools and weapons, a postage stamp makes a picture for the wall. The details of their life are complemented by the story of Arrietty's growing friendship with a real full-size boy, and the family's constant fear of discovery and extinction. The Borrowers was filmed starring Ian Holm and Penelope Wilton: the film keeps the basic concept, but changes the story beyond recognition. A more faithful adaptation is the Japanese anime Arrietty, which retains more of the original charm.

Four sequels (in which the Borrowers are consecutively Afield, Afloat, Aloft and Avenged) follow the further adventures of the family; the same author also wrote Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which was made into a very successful Disney film. Children could enjoy creating a Borrowers–style house or room, looking at everyday objects from a quite different perspective.

Little Bear can't sleep because his bed is in the dark part of the cave. Big Bear can't read his bear book because Little Bear repeatedly disturbs him. But Big Bear is very patient and takes Little Bear a series of lanterns that get bigger and bigger. Finally, Big Bear takes Little Bear outside to see the biggest lantern of them all – the moon. The story has a reassuringly repetitive style, and explores the ideas of light and dark, shadow and being afraid of the dark.

Hokusai's classic woodcut of a majestic wave becomes the starting point for a storybook children will want to read again and again.

On a stormy winter's day, a baby boy, Naoki, is swept into a fisherman's boat by a great wave. Years pass, but still Naoki does not grow. Must he return to the ocean in order to become a young man? The answer arrives in the form of a mythic fish.[Page 228]

In this lively, poetic book we meet many jungle creatures, such as a gangly giraffe, ravenous rhino and galloping gazelle. Each animal is described in a verse that contains lots of rhyming and alliteration. The verses are accompanied by colourful, humorous illustrations by David Wojtowycz. Children enjoy writing further verses about other animals, in a similar style. The book could be used as a starting point in developing a fact file about jungle animals. The verses are also ideal for performing aloud, and can be effectively used as a stimulus for music and drama.

The Rainbow Fish has colourful, sparkling scales, making it the most beautiful fish in the ocean. Other fish are amazed by its beauty, until The Rainbow Fish refuses to give a scale to another fish, and then he is ignored by everyone and becomes lonely. He seeks the advice of the wise octopus, who suggests he give his scales one by one to the other fish. The story is accompanied by illustrations complete with shiny, foiled scales. It raises many issues, including pride and cherishing things that are precious, selfishness and sharing and being lonely and isolated from a group. It provides opportunities for discussion about being an individual and a member of society.

An amusing and yet poignant story about Lily and her dog Dill's discussion about what heaven might be like. Dill is told by an angel that it is “time” and leaves a temporarily bereft Lily, but she soon find another puppy and remembers all the things that Dill had described as heavenly. The story provides a gentle and engaging starting point for discussing bereavement.[Page 229]

At night, when the library is closed, the book shelves come to life. Doors and windows appear in the back of books, lights appear along the shelves, and the library is transformed into a bustling miniature city. But on a shelf of cookery books beginning with ‘Q’ lives a boy called Peter, who has discovered a secret in the library – there is only one book in the world missing from its shelves, a book called How to Live Forever or Immortality for Beginners. This is the story of Peter's labyrinthine journey through the library to discover the lost book and its secrets.

When he moves house, Michael finds a strange creature living concealed in the garage of the new house, and gradually establishes a relationship with him. At first, seeming to be an old man, Skellig is later found to have wings and – maybe – life-saving powers. Michael befriends the girl next door, Mina; a home-schooled child who is into birds, nature and William Blake.

This is a strange book, defying classification: even the author remains uncommitted as to who or what Skellig actually is or represents. There are references to the Persephone story, to archaeology, to medicine – and yet the book is not “about” any of these. A thought-provoking read for imaginative children. There is a prequel, written some years later: My Name is Mina.