Reading Matters reading guide
Published in September 2023, 'Reading Matters' sees the return of the 'best of the year' format to our annual reading guide.
Theme:
Funny books
Baboo the Unusual Bee
Baboo is an unusual bee; he has pink instead of yellow stripes. Baboo likes to dance and tries to make friends with some of the other bees in his hive but to no avail. After being cruelly rejected, Baboo goes off by himself where he finds another unusual insect and the two become friends and dance together. They’re having so much fun that the other insects gather around to watch, and they realise they’d like to be different too!
The Day I Got Trapped in My Brain
Frankie Finkleton’s world is a very busy one. She’s a typical eleven-year-old with a loving family and lots going on at school. Frankie also has a sideline as a very secret investigator and from time to time goes on adventures to an imaginary world called Thoughtopolis with her younger brother Fred and her dog Blue.
Inis magazine: issue 69, July 2023
Inis is the magazine of Children's Books Ireland. Within these pages you will find features and articles on Irish and international children's books as well as in-depth reviews of new titles for children and teenagers. With its range of expert contributors, this is a key resource for teachers, writers, illustrators, librarians, parents/guardians and everyone interested in children's books.
Imagine If ... Veggies!
Eating vegetables can be a real bore sometimes, but not in this delightful book! Turns out that with a bit of imagination, we can have cucumbers transforming into cosy hammocks and asparagus into speedy trains!
Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions
Pete has a secret. Since an embarrassing and stressful public panic attack, he hasn’t left the house. But when his dad’s beloved pizza shop comes into financial trouble, he knows he must face his fears in order to save his home. In this laugh-out-loud adventure, Pete tries to save his dad’s pizza shop by creating magic pizzas with potions he found in his attic.
Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer
Kofi is full of energy, he’s always talking, and he has loads of plans for making money. Quiet Kelvin is a great listener, and he has a superpower, an amazing memory. When they team up, Kofi devises his greatest money-making scheme yet.
Nibbles Shapes
Nibbles has already taught us about numbers, colours, and Christmas: now he is helping us to learn about shapes – and making triangles look delicious!
The Wonder Brothers
Not many books begin with a police report, but it’s the perfect way to begin this adventurous story with many unexpected ups and downs. Cousins Middy and Nathan make up the dynamic duo known as the Wonder Brothers, the stars of this story. Part heist, part magic show, the narrative is mostly told from their perspectives via a police report as they use their magical skills to discover the truth behind the disappearance of the iconic Blackpool Tower after a magic trick seems to have gone wrong.
Finn Jones Was Here
Eric and Finn have always been best friends and a perfect match. While Eric is anxious and fearful of trying new things, Finn often bravely dives headfirst into adventure, dragging Eric along for the memories. Finn’s lively joie de vivre mean that it is difficult for Eric to process when Finn becomes ill and passes away – or has he?
