What Was It Like To Be An Ancient Greek by David Long illustrated by Stefano Tambellini
Barrington Stoke are probably best known as a publisher of accessible, high quality fiction for children and teens, however the partnership between award winning historian David Long and illustrator Stefano Tambellini has resulted in an excellent series of information books for primary learning. The latest title sheds light on life as an ancient Greek and is a fascinating read.
The nine chapters interspersed with illustrations, maps and labelled depictions of aspects of Greek life cover a range of subject areas. Travelling back almost 3000 years we learn the background to this ancient civilisation, how they lived and worked and discover how some became brilliant astronomers, philosophers, artists and navigators. Under the rule of Alexander the Great their influence spread still further. There is a chapter on their myths and legends and explanations of the origins of the Olympic Games. The way in which examples of their influence can still be seen today is incorporated in the text will, I think, increase the relevance and interest of this subject for children.
The book culminates in the arrival of the Roman Empire and leads nicely into another book in the series, What Was It Like To Be An Ancient Roman David Long’s writing style is both readable and interesting and What Was It Like To Be An Ancient Greek would be a useful purchase for primary school libraries. Many children will enjoy reading this and learn much from it and teachers will also find this a useful classroom resource. Published on 14th August and suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8. As with all Barrington Stoke books this is carefully edited and presented to be dyslexia friendly which is an added bonus.
Jellybean by Eve Ainsworth illustrated by Theo Parish
Sometimes children’s books are more than a story, they can support, guide and inform both their target audience and the adults who care for those readers in many varied roles. Jellybean is one of those books. Anxiety-based school avoidance is a growing problem in the UK, with a huge increase since the Covid-19 pandemic. There is much discussion in the media about the best way in which to tackle this issue and Eve Ainsworth has used her experience in pastoral and child protection roles in schools to great effect in this compassionate novella.
The story features Ellie who can’t face going to school any more. Her parents suspect bullying may be the cause or is schoolwork too hard? The truth is Ellie is unable to articulate the reason herself. Her anxiety grows despite her close friendships and her enthusiasm for some of the lessons such as English and Art. The days of absence grow into weeks and Ellie’s parents seek outside help to try to support their daughter and help her find a way back. It is clear that a great deal of thought has gone into the writing of Ellie’s story as it is easy to empathise with this worried girl and we are hoping that the kindness and understanding shown by the adults in the book will help her cope with things. It is a clever touch to leave the ending open to interpretation prompting discussion and further thought about the choice Ellie will make.
At the end of the story there are several pages of further information for parents and carers and young people providing details of useful organisations and tips for coping with anxiety. Some of this advice is successfully incorporated within the story too. This is a must buy for secondary school libraries and would be useful for parents. Published on 14th August and suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 7. Eve Ainsworth has written several novels for Barrington Stoke and another for teens on the subject of foster care, Know My Place, is well worth seeking out if you haven’t already read it.