Stocking fillers for 2017!

With Christmas on its way, many of you may be looking for ideas for presents or stocking fillers. And what greater gift could there be than a book? There have been some wonderful children’s books published this year – check out  Booktrust’s Great Books Guide for 2017. The lovely staff at CLPE have also put together a list of their favourite books published this year, which is available on their website.  And here are our suggestions for books that we would most like to see in our Christmas stocking this year.

 

Mandy’s selections

The lost words, poems by Robert Macfarlane, illustrations by Jackie Morris celebrates the words that are disappearing from children’s vocabulary as they lose touch with the natural world: acorn, bramble, otter… Evocative, acrostic poems are matched by enchanting, rich painting. This would be a bit big for most stockings, but would make a fabulous present for anyone aged from 8 to 108 years old.

 

Wed Wabbit, by Lissa Evans: I’ve read some great fiction this year, both adult and children’s literature, including a very strong Carnegie shortlist, and I think this book was the best of all. It has a really clever, metafictive conceit, which is carried through flawlessly but unobtrusively. Some serious themes are handled with a lightness of touch and a huge dollop of humour.

 

Mandy

 

 

Laura’s selections

Wolf hollow, by Lauren Wolk: I found myself immediately drawn into this emotionally engaging story. A young girl called Annabelle narrates the story, which is set in an American town during WW2, and deals with issues of injustice and deception. It is beautifully written and a real page turner.

 

Grandad’s secret giant, by David Litchfield: A powerful story about friendship and tolerance, told in a very gentle way. Breathtaking illustrations with meticulous attention to detail. Both children and adults will love this book.

 

Sky dancer, by Gill Lewis: The plight of the hen harriers take centre stage in this thought-provoking story. I’d highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys stories about nature, animal conservation or the environment.

 

Laura

 

Other staff at the university have also been telling us about the books that they most enjoyed reading this year.

  • Emma enjoyed reading Croc and bird by Alexis Deacon with her children
  • Pam enjoyed stories by Jon Klassen and Meg Rosoff

What about you?  Did you have a favourite read this year?

 

 

 

 

 

One thought on “Stocking fillers for 2017!

  1. Can I have another go, please?

    ‘A first book of animals’ by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček: closely-observed detail, rich and evocative words from the ace communicator Nicola Davies, paired with one of my favorite illustrators on top form.

    ‘A poem for every day of the year’, edited by Allie Esiri. It’s nice to give a poetry anthology as a gift. When I saw this one, though, I couldn’t wait until Christmas to give it to my daughter. If you have two special people to buy for, this is a sequel to last year’s ‘A poem for every night of the year’.

    ‘A is for activist’, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara: a board book with a difference. This chunky little book would fit in a (stretchy) stocking. Positive, uplifting messages to get children thinking and talking. The board book format belies the wide age range that would enjoy this book, but the sturdy format fits the strong message.

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