The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain

by Katherine Rundell (Editor)

In difficult times, what children really need is hope. And in that spirit, bestselling author Katherine Rundell emailed some of the children's writers and artists whose work she loved most:

'I asked them to write something very short, fiction or non-fiction, or draw something that would make the children reading it feel like possibility-ists: something that would make them laugh or wonder or snort or smile. The response was magnificent, which shouldn't have surprised me, because children's writers and illustrators are professional hunters of hope... I hope that the imagination can be a place of shelter for children and that The Book of Hopes might be useful in that, even if only a little.'
This collection, packed with short stories, poems and pictures from the very best children's authors and illustrators, aims to provide just that. Within its pages you'll find animal friends from insects to elephants, high-flying grandmas, a homesick sprite, the tooth fairy, and even extra-terrestrial life.
There are 133 contributions from authors and illustrators, including Anthony Horowitz, Axel Scheffler, Catherine Johnson, Jacqueline Wilson, Katherine Rundell, Lauren Child, Michael Morpurgo and Onjali Q. Rauf. A donation from the sale of each book will go to NHS Charities Together, in gratitude for the incredible efforts of all those who worked in hospitals over the quarantine period.
'An anthology on the theme of hope... it includes a rich range of images, poetry, stories and non-fiction' Stories to charm on endless days, The Sunday Times.

Genres: Short Stories, Poetry, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

382 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Katherine Rundell was born in 1987 and grew up in Africa and Europe. In 2008 she was elected a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Her first book, The Girl Savage, was born of her love of Zimbabwe and her own childhood there; her second, Rooftoppers, was inspired by summers working in Paris and by night-time trespassing on the rooftops of All Souls. She is currently working on her doctorate alongside an adult novel.

Source: Katherine Rundell

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in grandma reads chapbook sessions

The Book of Hopes is the result of a great idea put together by Katherine Rundell and all the many writers and artists who contributed to the final product. Stories, pictures, scenes, poems - all under 2 pages, meant to be shared with children who are housebound or in some kind of lockdown that requires a little more entertainment and distraction than usual. In these days of COVID-19 quarantine, this is just the ticket for a quick snippet read or discussion of poem or picture or author's message. . .a story time assist.

That is exactly how we used this - and encyclopedia style, a here and there choice, all organized by topic - animals, aliens, dogs, cats, dreaming and daydreaming, and many more. A very smart, funny, hopeful, inspirational resource pulled together for children and community groups who are looking for a quiet, calming voice to read to them.

We enjoyed picking our way through this book. It hit the spot!

[Sammy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories and poems that bring comfort, joy and, most of all, hope.
I have really enjoyed sharing these stories with my class and seeing the impact they can have. Simplistic yet so effective

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet short stories, poems and lovely illustrations by lots of different authors. All to make you feel uplifted. You're bound to find something from one of your favourite authors.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The occasional gem lights up this patchwork of British stories and poems for children of the Pandemic. Anthony Horowitz's contribution sums the collection up nicely:
It is so much easier to cope
If you decide to live in hope.
Not all are as preachy as that, though. I enjoyed Catherine Johnson's poem The Axolotl at Bedtime
which opens like this:
Never give your axolotl chocolate in a botl
Serve it in a tiny eggcup, not to cold and not too hotl.
Then tuck him - very gently - in his hand-carved wooden cotl.
Turn the light out, seven thirty, never later, on the dotl.
I should add, the book is free online from the wonderful National Literary Trust.
https://literacytrust.org.uk/ Definitely worth a browse or two.

[Nilo0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب امید، پر از تصاویر و داستان‌ها و شعرهای سرشار از امید
این کتاب حاصل قلم و طرح مجموعه‌ای از نویسنده‌ها و تصویرگرهاست که یه مجموعه پرامید ارزشمنده.
شعرها هم خیلی قشنگ و منظوم فارسی‌سازه شده.
کتابی که با این هدف نوشته شده که وقتی به اندکی امید نیاز داشتید، بازش کنید و با خوندن یه داستان یا شعر کوتاه یا دیدن یه تصویر، امیدی در قلبتون روشن شه و به نظرم این کتاب به این هدف قشنگش، فارغ از رده سنی، رسیده.
از خوندنش خیلی لذت بردم و مطمئنم با باز کردنش قطعا تا داستان رو تموم نکنید نمی‌بندید.
بخونید، ببینید و حسابی ازش لذت ببرید.

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enh. Yep - just enh.

[lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read full of stories

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book, particularly for a time like this. A collection of poems and stories providing reassurance, hope, adventure, laughter and so much more.

Listing a few of my favourites that i can see myself using in the classroom:
Balcony Picnic - Michelle Magorian
Hope: Or, Learning the Language of Birds - Jackie Morris
That Peeling Feeling - Jack Noel
A Golden Visitation - Ed Vere
The Hope-o-potamus - Greg James and Chris Smith
Stronger Than Magic - Cerrie Burnell
A Box of Pencils - Gililan Cross
The First Tear - Kevin Crossley-Holland

[MrsSock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous compilation from lots of favourites- I really want this in print

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Book of Hopes, edited by Katherine Rundell is a quirky and joyful book of short stories that are modern twists on traditional tales. I was sign posted to this book during assemblies at my current school, where the deputy head often dips into the book for a story. The stories all take a traditional tale as their basis, such as Cinderella or the Toothfairy but give them a new and refreshing spin. By basis the stories within the familiar boundaries children are able to quickly engage with the stories, but what is exciting about this book is how subverting these well known stories can give a fresh take on characters we know so well. Don't be fool, this isn't a modern version of Revolting Rhymes, what is so engaging about the short stories is the quirkiness and charm with which the author reimagines. Cinderella, instead of being given a gown and glass slippers is treated to a pack of colouring pencils and changes her circumstances that way. The Toothfairy has great ambitions that just teeth and is seeking a replacement so she can become an astronaut.
This book is an excellent introduction to children of short stories, the exposition is sort and to the point, whilst the narrative ambition is large within the story. I am greatly looking forward to reading this book to my new class in September.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because Stephanie Burgis had written a small part of it, and it seemed generally appealing. As suggested in the introduction, I dipped in and out of it over the course of the two weeks I had before release day.

I find it difficult to write a review for a book that contains so many, very different, tiny stories, illustrations and poems. I enjoyed some more than others, but every single one of them has something to teach us about hope. Some are touching, a few made me cry, many made me smile or laugh. If you are struggling, or having dark moments, I definitely recommend dipping into this book, and feeling many other humans reaching out to say you are not alone, don’t give up, the world may be full of darkness, but there is much light too.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

[Poppy Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.


This book is made up of literary offerings from a whole host of authors and illustrators who have all created short pieces on the topic of hope and what it means to them.

This book would be a lovely gift for a child of any age. Some pieces may be too childish or too difficult for some children, but the range of authors (from picture book illustrators to authors from the 9-12 shelves) adds to the uplifting theme of the book, that of people coming together to support one another in these unprecedented times.

I've definitely found some new authors I want to read more of, plus some more that I will recommend to people.

[Joanne Balharrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Real, true hope isn’t the promise that everything will be all right - but it’s a belief that the world has so many strangenesses and possibilities that giving up would be a mistake; that we live in a universe shot with the unexpected” Katherine Rundell, prologue

If you enjoy children’s literature and want some uplifting and entertaining snippets from a wide range of authors, find the link to this book on the National Literary Trust’s website, and have a peruse.

(Plus, it’s free)

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely idea for a story collection. We read it together after the first major lockdown, but the spirit was there in the collection. Some of the stories were a little confusing (it’s never a great idea to include a book excerpt, thanks just the same), but there were a few gems, entertaining poems and lots of beautiful artwork to share. We had fun wondering what on earth was going to come next, because the collection is so eclectic. This was especially fun to share. ❤️

[Kiwi Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that holds special meaning for me, discovered and begun in the midst of lockdown in 2020 when I was working from home as a teacher. Shared and read with students in London and now those in NZ upon my return, it feels bitter sweet and will always remind me of that isolated and strange time and what came after for me in my personal life across that difficult year.

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Interesting but wildly variable 500 word pieces by more than 100 children's authors on the subject of hope. Written and assembled during the pandemic. A great idea, but a rather eccentric collection, many enjoyable, some not really on the subject, and some rather scary. Parental discretion advised for younger kids.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is FANTASTIC. It’s full of amazing short stories which are categorised under different themes. There are hilarious stories but also more thought provoking stories too. Couldn’t recommend this book enough for any upper KS2 class.

[Suki Panesar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting short stories and poems for children and adults during a very difficult time. Fabulous for families to read together or end of the school day read with the class. A great collection of positive thinking, reflection and acceptance.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, easy reading book that at parts made me smile.

Some of the stories were more childlike and would be perfect for a young person but for me they were not my thing.

Loved some of the cute poems and the drawings were great too.

[Tara Blais Davison · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75/5 I enjoyed Stephen Fry, Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Bailey Smith’s narration talents and especially enjoyed Anthony Horowitz’ tale about a town called Hope. It was a lovely idea for a book but the end product failed to hold my interest, as an adult, and as a source of hopeful stories.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favourite was Catherine Johnson's axolotl poem, our least favourite were the 'pull my finger' and elephant poo pieces.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good idea.
Lot's of author's coming together to write and draw short stories of hope.
Lot's of my favourite author's involved in this,

[Wilfred Berkhof · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. So many fun, upbeat, quirky and simply joyous stories to read to the kids. Simply wonderful.

[Helen Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Can't wait to read The Indigo Flamingo to my class and to tell them all about Wax Moth caterpillars.

[Elanor Bilbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped me stay positive in lockdown

[Michael Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bbc

[Felicitycot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of stories, poems and illustrations from a wide variety of authors. Well worth reading, suitable for ks1 and KS2 as well as older children.

[Dominic Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of light stories and poems. Ideal for reading before bed or when you have a 10 minute window of time because each piece is short.

[Dantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but not much humor🙃

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super lovely. Really heartwarming and imaginative.