Alone! (Barry Falls)
The Waterstones Review:
With its easily flowing rhyming text and colourful illustrations, Falls' enchanting tale of a boy who wants to be on his own - and the creatures that seemed determined to get in the way - is a delightful picture book all about the joys of making friends.
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize Illustrated Books 2022
There once was a boy called Billy McGill
who lived by himself at the top of a hill.
He spent every day in his house all alone
for Billy McGill liked to be on his own.
But life doesn't always turn out how you plan it...
One day Billy hears the squeak of a mouse - destroying his perfectly peaceful existence. So he gets a cat to catch the mouse. But the cat and the mouse make friends. So he gets a dog to chase the cat. But they all play together too. So then he gets a bear... then a tiger... and on it goes, until Billy's house is so filled with characters that he has to move out. Will he find that he still craves peace and quiet, or is it actually quite lovely to have company and friends?
The brilliant second book from Barry Falls is a laugh-out-loud tale of growing chaos, with a lovely message about how it's good to have friends.
Children of the Quicksands (Efua Traore)
The Waterstones Review:
This magical award-winning fantasy adventure about 12-year-old Simi who is sent to visit her grandmother in a remote Nigerian village brims with myths, legends and secrets, and asks what it means to belong.
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize Younger Readers Prize 2022
In a remote Nigerian village, twelve-year-old Simi is desperate to uncover a family secret...
City girl Simi is sent to stay with her long-lost grandmother in a remote Nigerian village. There's no TV, internet or phone. Not a single human-made sound can be heard at night, just the noise of birds and animals rustling in the dark forest outside. Her witchlike grandmother dispenses advice and herbal medicine to the village, but she's tight lipped about their family history.
Something must have happened, but what?
Determined to find out, Simi disobeys her grandmother and goes exploring. Caught in the sinking red quicksand of a forbidden lake, her fantastical journey begins...
A richly imagined magical fantasy adventure set in West Africa by a prize-winning new voice in children's writing. Introduces readers to Yoruba myths and legends whilst showcasing the wealth of culture, traditions, adventure, fun, joy, celebrations, music, pride and love found in Nigeria. Beautifully explores themes of grief and belonging.
Please click here for our full SJF Book List (2022-23)
