This week's focus is the library revolves around International Women's Day.
This is an appropriate start to my blog as CHI has many great women role models - starting with the Head Teacher Mrs Berry and Deputy Head Mrs Jakob. Alongside them work the incredible teachers, fantastic office team, and other support staff.
I've chosen some books that either feature women and girls or are written by women.
Of course, I needed to include some titles by well known authors - Beatrix Potter, Judith Kerr, Jill Murphy, Julia Donaldson. These women have created such beloved books and helped pave the way for other women in literature. And I would be remiss to not mention Shirley Hughes who sadly passed away recently. Her eye for bringing to life the ordinary lives of children made it easy for readers to see themselves in the pages.
Here are the books I've selected celebrate that are rightly well known and loved.
Beatrix Potter - Nursery Rhymes classic interpretations with her signature style paintings.
Judith Kerr - The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog in the Dark. Both titles eternally enjoyable reads
Lynley Dodd - Hairy Maclary from Donaldsons Dairy and Hairy Maclary qnd Zachary Quack fun tales featuring great Rhymes from the New Zealand author
Julia Donaldson- The Snail and the Whale, Tiddler and Room on the Broom. There is a reason why she is such a bestseller. Her books are a genuine pleasure to read aloud.
Shirley Hughes - Dogger, Alfie & Alfie and Annie Rose. Beautifully illustrated classics
Jill Murphy - Peace at Last. I love the gentle stories from Jill Murphy which feature sweet humour.
Margaret Mahy - The Lion in the Meadow. A great book for reflecting a child's imagination.
Some other great books:
Jane Simmons - Ebb and Flo and the Sea Monster feels like a dream has been printed on paper.
Babette Cole- Tarzanna. A fun tale about habitats and respecting wildlife.
Clarence Jarrett - Catherine and the Lion. A lovely look at friendship, beautifully illustrated.
Maureen Haselhurst and Barbara Vagnozzi - The Tickety Tale Teller. What's better than a book about a character who loves to share books?
Gillian Rigerson and Sarah McIntyre- You Can't Scare a Princess. A sweet tale turning things around when a Princess takes charge of a band of naughty pirates.
Nicola O'Byrne and Nick Bromley - Open Very Carefully. A super fun read with tons of energy that also looks at spelling.
Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen - Never Show a T-Rex a book. This is so much fun, the energy leaps off the page.
Allan Ahlberg and Joe Wright - Mrs Plug the Plumber. For early readers a wonderful tale of a humble hero.
Errol Lloyd- Nini at Carnival. This is a lovely book about finding your place and confidence.
Nadia Shireen -Billy and the Dragon. A firm favourite in my home, full of wonderful characters.
Assorted authors- Fi-Rex. This tale is written by a series of celebrities as a game of consequence.
Gina Douthwaite- Picture a Poem. A real treasure which shows how poetry can be seen in a new light by how its presented.
Finally I've included some non- fiction titles:
Cloth Lullaby, the woven life of Louise Bourgeois by Amy Novesky and stunningly illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second - a factual account of the event.
Queen Elizabeth the First a historical biography
Harriet Tubman. An interpretation of the life of the brave woman who has earned her place in history books for her role in helping enslaved people.
Making this list has made me start to think about what is missing from the library library and other stories I'd like to include. Mainly these are non- fiction books featuring strong female role models such as Serena Williams. I also love to get more contemporary authors such as Eve Coy (The Huffalots, Looking After William) and to expand on the schools collection of books featuring more diversity.