Grimsdell Book of the Week!

As half term approaches, we have two Grimsdell Children’s Library Books of the Week selected by the Junior Librarians, Leia, from 2YM and Chenxi from 2RM.

Leia recommends the most recent book published by author and illustrator, Rob Biddulph: ‘Dog Gone’.

Leia’s reasons for her choice:

‘I am a big Rob Biddulph fan! His stories are great and I love his illustrations. I enjoy his online #DrawWith Rob sessions.’

Rob Biddulph’s new book has a huge sense of fun with a big monster lurking at the bottom of the garden…or is it?

This story, along with other books written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, is available to borrow from our school library.

Mrs Harvey would also support Leia’s Book of the Week choice. Rob Biddulph is a very popular reading choice at Grimsdell – his books always contain a strong story line and the illustrations draw in and engage his reading audience.

All of Rob Biddulph’s stories are rhyming and I have written before of the importance of rhyme in the development of early language and literacy skills. Research into early literacy skills shows the importance of rhythm and rhyme. Developing literacy skills begin with listening and verbalising rather than reading and writing. That comes later. Children need a good grasp of phonics and the ability to discriminate sounds and rhyming patterns in an audible way in order to become confident readers.

Stories written in rhyme and rhythm help our children develop auditory discrimination, listening skills, a rich and broad vocabulary, a love of words, concentration skills, phonemic awareness and poetry skills. This in turn stimulates imaginative, descriptive skills – an essential component of creative writing.

Our second Book of the Week is recommended by the Junior Librarian, Chenxi, who has selected a story from our traditional tales collection: ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Chenxi’s reason for her choice:

‘This is a magical story – I was so intrigued by the mystery of the Secret Garden …’

We think you will agree! This story, together with other tales of this genre, is available for loan in our school library.

Mrs Harvey would also recommend this book and this genre of fiction. From prepping us for the pitfalls of life to teaching us valuable skills and lessons, traditional tales and fairy tales are ever-relevant, whatever our age. These narratives stay with us well beyond our childhood.

According to child psychologist Sally Goddard Blythe, director of The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology and author of The Genius of Natural Childhood: Secrets of Thriving Children, even in our own age, fairy tales still have a lot to teach children about life, and indeed give us key imaginary experiences that shape us throughout our lives:

“Fairy tales are important not because they show children how life is, but because they give form to deep fears and dreams about life through fantasy”.

Most traditional tales embody the hopes and aspirations of the majority of people in the society and are used to transmit and preserve the cultural values of the group. The stories help in showing how society views itself and also conveys their notions of justice, rights and social obligations of its citizens. Honesty, goodness and unity are depicted as important values which the heroes and heroines of traditional tales always use to prevail over their problems. The traditional tale genre provides ways for children to receive important messages – the role of honesty, kindness – and the message of each is ultimately positive, providing a sense of wellbeing.

Children’s Author of the Week

This week, the Junior Librarian, Josh from 2YM, has given careful thought to his chosen children’s Author of the Week. The task of nominating a children’s author to appeal to the entire Grimsdell community is not easy but Josh’s favourite author, Roald Dahl, will be a firm favourite!