The National Year of Reading’s monthly theme for June is Reading Escapes. A suggestion of books for the month can be seen at: http://www.sla.org.uk/nyr-booklist-june08.php.
I recommend The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon by OLA visitor illustrator Mini Grey. Ever wondered what really did happen when the dish of the nursery rhyme ran away with the spoon? They escaped to New York of course and this is their hair-raising story as told by the Spoon, a story packed full of gangsters, high-flying acrobats, bank robbers… and true love. This stylishly illustrated story won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal last year and is full of witty detail.
The DFC. An exciting brand new full colour weekly comic for children featuring stories from some of the greatest artists and writers in the world including Philip Pullman, Chris Riddell and Nick Sharatt. Weekly episodes of stories in all genres for boys and girls. http://www.thedfc.co.uk/
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. One of the most celebrated works of classic literature for children, following Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger from one adventure to the next - in gipsy caravans, stolen sports cars, to prison and back to the Wild Wood. A story of animal cunning and human camaraderie, this remains a timeless tale nearly 100 years after its publication. It hasn't dated and remains a tale children can relate to, whether reading themselves or listening to it told.
Escape from Shangri-la by Michael Morpurgo
Once by Morris Gleitzman
The Garbage King by Elizabeth Laird
Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
The Defender by Alan Gibbons
The rest of the year’s themes for National Year of Reading:
July: Rhythm and Rhyme
August: Read the Game
September: You Are What You Read
October: Word of Mouth
November: Screen Reads
December: Write the Future
