Exploring Alternative Graphemes and Pronunciations, Complex Code - A CPLE Book List
From Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education is a UK-based children's literacy charity working with primary schools. Their work raises the achievement of children's reading and writing by helping schools to teach literacy creatively and effectively, putting quality children’s books at the heart of all learning. They offer courses at our literacy library in central London, deliver online training and provide a wide range of free teaching resources for Primary teachers. They also conduct research into all areas of primary literacy, using the findings to inform practice and contribute to national and international perspectives on literacy.
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Macmillan, 9781509812523
A tiny sea snail “with an itchy foot” has a great desire to see the world and
hitches a ride on the tail of a humpback whale. They travel the seas together
and see many wonderful sights, until one day the whale is “beached in a
bay”, and the snail finds her own special way of saving her companion. The
rhyming text is written in such a way that it points to elements in the
pictures, making them inextricably entwined and mutually supportive,
rather like the snail and the whale.
Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse and Charlotte Voake
Walker, 9781529516586
A tender and atmospheric picturebook which shows that so-called 'bad'
weather need not be a barrier to spending an enjoyable time with family.
Granny and Bean perfectly captures small, sensory moments shared at the
beach, such as waves reaching their toes, cheeks chafed red by the wind,
and sorting and collecting shells, with the relationship between
grandmother and grandchild perfectly and affectionately drawn. The lyrical,
figurative language and evocative grey illustrations, marked with splashes of
colour, contribute to the familiar atmosphere of a day at the seaside.
The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge
Andersen Press, 9781849392556
Have you heard of the Beasts? No, not many have. That’s because they are
very rare. This is the tale of one such Beast, who decides to take a
dangerous quest to find others like him. Trekking over mountains and
swimming across seas, he comes at last to a great city. There he finds many
delights but sadly no Beasts, so he returns home, where a surprise awaits
him.
Beware the Blue Bagoo by Karl Newson and Andrea Stegmaier
Happy Yak, 9780711267824
An intrepid little detective is determined to get to the bottom of the
rumours that have spread through her town about a grumpy, gobbling
beast, but who really is the Blue Bagoo? This charming book calls to mind
such titles as The Grotlyn and The Gruffalo in examining the role played by
rumours in the creation of a monster that may not be all that it seems -
there is also a lesson here about kindness, and making amends following a
mistake. Stegmaier’s bright and bold illustrations accompany Newson’s text,
with rhymes that contribute to the narrative storytelling, including the twist.
I Heard a Bird by Rob Ramsden
Scallywag Press, 9781915252005
The fourth book in Rob Ramsden's 'In the Garden' series, which offers gentle
introductions to the natural world for young readers. This title explores
nature as a space for mindfulness and attentiveness - we meet a little girl
who hears a singing bird, but the sound of two cats fighting scares it away.
As she searches for the bird, she engages her senses and notices all sorts of
little details in the garden - including, in a particularly calming spread, the
sound of silence - before re-encountering her bird at the end. With lovely
sensory language, and gentle rhymes and rhythms, this is an ideal text for
helping young children slow down and engage with the world around them.
The Great Paint by Alex Willmore
Tate Publishing, 9781849767934
Frog is an artist who is prepared to try many techniques, including painting,
sculpting, performance art. He feels that the swamp where he lives is rather
dull so he sets out with his materials to make improvements to his friends’
homes. However, they just do not appreciate his art. Frog is downcast but
then he realises that there is one place where he can display his talents and
no-one will object!
Here are the other CPLE book lists in this series
Developing Early Phonological Awareness