UEL PGCE group 2011-2012 discussion

Please post links to your reviews here. Here's an example: Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf by Catherine Storr http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Another book I enjoyed: Granny NOthing by Cathy McPhail http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69...

And another one! Looking forward to seeing your reviews and recommendations: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

This is my review of The Longest Whale Song by Jacqueline Wilson
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84...

My review of A Squash and a Squeeze by Donaldson and Scheffler.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thank you, Ann and Zaid. I haven't read that Jacqueline Wilson, but I'll check it out! And Julia Donaldson is a wonderful writer and advocate of children's literacy; nice to have reviews of books by a past and the present Children's Laureates as our first two!

Please enjoy my first review!
Fattypuffs and Thinifers

I popped into the local library yesterday with my children and let them guide me to books that took their interest. They’re showing a particular fascination for space and the planets at the moment, which led us to an Usborne Flap Book by Katie Daynes, entitled ‘See Inside Space’. When searching for this book on Goodreads it appears that Daynes has a series of similar style educational titles including ‘1001 Things to Spot in the Sea’ and ‘See Inside Your Body’. These are definitely worth checking out as possible classroom teaching aids when covering such subjects.
Review on 'See inside Space' below.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is my review of 'Alfie and the Big Boys!' By Shirley Hughes.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69...

Natalia wrote: "Here is my review of 'Alfie and the Big Boys!' By Shirley Hughes.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69..."

I adore the Alfie books as well. Alfie Gets In First was one of the favourites when I taught Reception class.

Hello, here's my review of Skellig by David Almond.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Sarah wrote: "Hello, here's my review of Skellig by David Almond.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

This is a beautiful, wonderful book. David Almond has a companion book, My Name Is Mina, that I have my eye on for when it comes out in paperback.

Yes, I spotted that too and will also be grabbing it in paperback. Mina is such a great character.

This is one of the best children's books I have read: Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. Have you read it? What do you think? http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hello, here's my review for 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?' by Eric Carle
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My Review of The Railway Children, E Nesbit.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

Here is my review of Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...

Two of my favourites, Ann! Amazing that Father Christmas is nearly 40 years old.

Ann's review of Father Christmas reminds me of a graphic novel that touched me as a teenager. I remember being incredibly moved by 'When the Wind Blows' by Briggs. Is this novel possibly too dark, difficult and moving to introduce to some Year 5 or 6 children?

Zaid: I would use it for Y6, but in the context of a topic (maybe in Citizenship) or unit in Literacy, so that the issues arising and content could be discussed. Bear in mind that children of that age watch the news and often film content aimed at adults; I read Stephen King's Carrie at 11-ish. However that book is very bleak, and the ending isn't reassuring, so it's not a book I would use without preparation or discussion.

Thanks for the advice Alison. Although the threat detailed inside the book is unlikely today, I think there are enough issues and content covered in the book including love, death, spirit, innocence and naivety to inspire good discussions and thinking within the classroom.
My review is below for those who are unaware of this book.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My review of The Story of Tracy Beaker. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

Hi all please find above my reviews for The Clumsy Crocodile by Felicity Everett, Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson and Black Queen by Michael Morpurgo.

My review of Stormbreaker, by Anthony Horowitz:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78...

I am delighted to see Shirley Hughes make it on to the review list. Here's my review of 'Dogger': http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My review of Tom's Midnight Garden - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Andrew wrote: "I am delighted to see Shirley Hughes make it on to the review list. Here's my review of 'Dogger': http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

I'm a big fan of Dogger too. Was lucky enough to get Shirley Hughes to sign a copy a few years ago.

Hello! This is my review of 'My Dad's a Birdman' by David Almond:


http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My review of 'Danger by Moonlight' by Jamile Gavin:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks Laura: reviews of books by two authors I admire, but not books I've read. I'll be reserving those at the library when I come back from holiday!

My review of 'The Vicar of Nibbleswicke' by Roald Dahl:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My review of "Give the Dog a Bone" by Allan Ahlberg:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Hello! I would like to share with you all a great informative history book.

"The Ancient Greeks" by John Malam.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks for all the reviews! Keep coming! It's good to see that some people are marking "to-read" books that others have reviewed.

Hi guys. My first review is Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

This is a funny one for the childern; Vegetable Glue by Susan Chandler
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Usborne Phonics Readers by Phil Roxbee-Cox & Stephen Cartwright
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks for these, Michael. Farmer Duck is an old favourite; do you know his Owl Babies?

My review of the excellent 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Alison wrote: "Thanks for these, Michael. Farmer Duck is an old favourite; do you know his Owl Babies?"

I have not read Owl Babies but will try to see if they have it in our local library.
I have his Little Bear Stories: The Complete Five Book Collection but I think they are better suited for reading to toddlers.

I just realised that we also have Sailor Bear by the same author.
It's a delightful tale of a little bear who builds himself a boat and sets off on the high seas.

I have read We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen a couple of times in the past year. After reading some of the other reviews on this website I have a much greater appreciation for it and I have learned some practical uses for it in the classroom. Many teachers have reviewed it and discussed how they incorporate into lessons. It's a very interactive story and is therefore ideal for reading aloud with a group. More than one teacher used it in a Maths lesson - bearhunt for shapes in the classroom.

This is my own review
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi everyone, here is my review of Cliffhanger by Jacqueline Wilson.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I thought I would try some poetry for my next review and a writer who was not familiar to me until joining goodreads! He was awarded the role of Children’s Laureate 2007-09
Please see my review of Michael Rosen’s ‘A to Z. The BEST Children’s Poetry from Agard to Zephaniah’.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hey everyone, here is my review of 'The Yuckee prince' by Larry O'loughlin.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

Hi Everyone,
Here is my review of The Jolly Postman

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38...

Hi all, not sure if I'm posting this correctly. This is a review I did of a book called The Raging Quiet.


The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Read this one in year 6, primary school. Is a book that has always stayed in my head and have read it a number of times since too. Having thought about it, the content may be a bit disturbing for young children now, but it is still a good read. I think it has stayed with me for so long as it has many points which you can relate to in one way or another. Recommended.



View all my reviews

Hello everyone,
This is my review of The Gruffalo.Hope it works and you are all able to read it.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...