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Celebrating Books 2022

Celebrating Reading Together

What books do you like? Do you like being read to? Or do you like to snuggle up with a book by yourself? What – and who – is on your bookshelf?

We know that books are really important. Not just for supporting children to read and write, but for helping children to learn social skills, see new worlds and perspectives, and to inspire their own imaginations. This article by children’s author Maisie Chan explores how children can learn about and develop empathy through reading.

How representative is your bookshelf? It may be time to take a good look – who do your children see in the pages of the books, and in the authors who wrote them?

To celebrate books in 2022, we have connected with five people who live and/or work with children and asked them to share one of their favourite children’s books. You will hear about five very different books. We hope this will offer inspiration for your bookshelves.

 

Discover all the Celebrating Books editions.

Celebrating Books choices for your bookshelf

Annie Richardson's Choice

 

 

Hey, you! 

An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black

Written by Dapo Adeola

Illustrated by Dapo Adeola, Alyissa Johnson, Sharee Miller, Jade Orlando, Diane Ewen, Reggie Brown, Onyinye Iwu, Chanté Timothy, Gladys Jose, Bex Glendining, Joelle Avelino, Dunni Mustapha, Nicole Miles, Charlot Kristensen, Kingsley Nebechi, Camilla Sucre, Derick Brooks, Jobe Anderson and Selom Sunu

Published by Penguin

 

This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today.

Remember to dream your own dreams
Love your beautiful skin
You always have a choice

This book addresses – honestly, yet hopefully – the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It’s a message that is both urgent and timeless – and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child.

To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.

 

About Annie

Annie has been involved in the early years sector for over 30 years. She started by volunteering at her daughter’s pre-school, then took on a role as a crèche worker before becoming an assistant and later a supervisor of a committee managed pack-away playgroup. She helped set up a daycare nursery, managing it for 2 years. She describes being a support worker for pre-school children with complex special educational needs and their families as the most informative and enjoyable time in her career. After 10 years in this role, she became an Early Years Consultant for a Local Authority, embedding the first edition of the Early Years Foundation Stage within the county’s early years provision and supporting a new network of practitioners with Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), as she was one of the first EYPs in the county. She has been in her current role as a senior lecturer in early childhood education and care at the University of Brighton for over 11 years.

Follow Annie on Twitter: @annierearlyyrs

 

Adam Marycz's Choice

 

My Shadow is Pink

Written and illustrated by Scott Stuart

Published by Larrikin House

 

My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity.

Inspired by the author’s own little boy, ‘Shadow’s’ main character likes princesses, fairies and things ‘not for boys’…he soon learns (through the support of his dad) that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide. This is an important book for a new generation of children (and adults alike) which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.

 

About Adam

Adam Marycz (he/him) is otherwise known as ‘Adam Early Years Leader’ on social media. He is an early years teacher, manager, podcast co-host, and writer who has been working in early years for over 12 years. The podcast Adam co-hosts is called ‘The Early Years Edit’ and he is also proud to be on the editorial board of ‘Early Years Educator’ magazine. One of Adam’s many passions is his belief in the power of stories to help shape the world of the future and he is currently campaigning for more representative children’s bookshelves, whether this is at home, at school, in early years settings, or in shops/public libraries. Adam strives to educate anti-racist, unprejudiced, and confident young people to enable all children to experience a brighter tomorrow.

Follow Adam on:

Twitter: @adameyleader

www.adameyleader.co.uk

 

Adam also recommends the independent bookshop Gay Pride Shop, where you can get your copy of ‘My Shadow is Pink’.

 

 

Jannah Hayah and Musa's Choice

 

 

Spot Goes to the Farm

Written and illustrated by Eric Hill

Published by Penguin Random House Children’s UK

 

Spot searches for new babies among the farm animals, each of which greets him with its own distinctive noise. 

 

About Jannah Hayah and Musa

Musa is 4 years old, he has Down’s Syndrome, hearing loss and is learning to communicate through Makaton sign language. He’s an ambassador for Making Chromosome Count & Celebrate T21. Jannah and Musa would love to see an inclusive society where everyone feels included and loved.

You can follow Jannah and Musa on:

Twitter: @JannahHayah

Instagram: @jannah_musa_signs

Kiran Satti's Choice

 

 

Raven Child and the Snow Witch

Written by Linda Sunderland and illustrated  by Daniel Egneus

Published by Templar

 

Anya lives with her mother and father in the shadow of the icy glacier where the Snow-Witch reigns. Every spring, Anya’s mother journeys to the glacier to pick the blue gentian flowers that grow there. But this time, she does not return. She has been captured by the Snow-Witch and imprisoned in the ice. Anya and her father set off with the ravens to rescue her. It’s a treacherous journey, and there is no knowing what they will find; but the strength of Anya’s love conquers all; the Snow-Witch is defeated and Anya’s mother is saved.

 

About Kiran

Kiran Satti is a Primary Trust Literacy Lead Practitioner, Reading Lead, KS1 Phase Leader. Learner and teacher. She is passionate about advocating alternative fairy tales and diversifying the representation of gender and ethnicities in children’s literature; empowering fiction for girls #womened and using texts that immerse children into different worlds and lives – specifically immigration and refugees #reflectingrealities. Shortlisted Rising Star 2020. She runs the @WomenEdBookclub, a regional leader and reviews books for @imaginecentre and @TinyOwl_Books.

Follow Kiran on Twitter: @KSunray3

 

Kerry Murphy's Choice

 

 

Who Will Comfort Toffle?

Written and illustrated by Tove Jansson

Translated by Sophie Hannah

Published by Sort of Books

 

A tale of Moomin Valley sees Toffle driven from his home by the frightening noises of the forest. Too shy, at first, to approach the many colourful Moomin characters he passes along the way, he gains confidence by discovering a scared and lonely Miffle who needs his help. Toffle’s quest to save Miffle from the dreadful Groke is an inspiring tale that every child (and many adults) are sure to identify with.

 

About Kerry

Kerry is an early year’s specialist in special educational needs, disability and development differences. She adopts a pro-neurodiversity framework and currently works as a lecturer in early years and education and is an independent trainer. She worked in a local authority for six years developing strategic links between early education, health and social care.  She is an associate for Early Education and has written for national organisations including Nursery World and Teach Early Years. She is the author of A Guide to SEND in the Early Years and Little Minds Matter (Wellbeing & SEND). She is also studying towards EdD in Play and Neurodiversity.

Follow Kerry on:

Twitter: @eyfs4m

Instagram: @eyfs4me

www.eyfs4me.com