On Sudden Hill

A beautiful story about imaginative play and making new friends
Written by Linda Sarah
Illustrated by Benji Davies
Simon and Schuster 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4711-1928-6 (HB)
ISBN: 978-1-4711-1929-3 (PB)
Library Copy
Back of the Book
Birt and Etho are best friends. They spend hours together playing on Sudden Hill. Then one day a new boy arrives. He wants to join them.Can two become three?
A timeless, poignant and heartfelt book from the internationally acclaimed illustrator of The Storm Whale.

The Story
Birt and Etho have a special friendship and they spend their days playing on their beloved Sudden Hill. With two large cardboard boxes, they can be anything-pirates, kings, soldiers or astronauts. Then one day, a boy called Shu arrives with another cardboard box and suddenly, two becomes three. Birt is not so keen to begin with.....

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A grassy hill, some cardboard boxes, two friends, some sunshine, a whole lot of imagination...... and we have the perfect recipe for childhood nostalgia. It really is difficult to read this story without feeling wistful for those endless summer days of fun, freedom and make-believe play.

My most treasured childhood memories, are those of making dens in fields, building huts with hay bails and using odds and ends of household rubbish to create something of my own. This book took me right back and had me wanting to sit up there on Sudden Hill with Etho, Birt, Shu and their cardboard boxes.

On the title page, we see a country  farmyard scene and two young boys venturing over a gate into a field. In the background, we see the lovely Sudden Hill with it's leaning tree, waiting to offer shade, a climb or a swing. Birt and Etho trundle up the hill with their giant cardboard boxes and through poetic text, we read of their play adventures...

Sometimes they're kings,
soldiers, astronauts.
Sometimes they're pirates
sailing wild seas and skies.

But always, always
they're Big Friends.

We see them flying paper planes, gathering sticks, collecting frogs in jars...two friends enjoying the freedom to play in nature....

..watching small movements
in the valley and feeling
big as Giant Kings.

These boys have a 'two-by-two rhythm'

The beautiful illustrations include large page-filled scenes as well as smaller vignettes.There is much to be admired-small details like the buttercups, swallows and flying insects and background characters like the curious bunny rabbit, the toy robot or the farmyard hens. 

To me, what appeals most about the illustrations is, the sense of living nature on every page- the grass on Sudden Hill appears to be swishing in a breeze, the clouds roll across the sky, while the colours and hues perfectly capture the changing light of morning, evening and night. 

The characters of Birt, Etho and Shu are simply drawn yet expressive- at times when their faces lack expression (sometimes they don't even have mouths), their body language and movements perfectly share their emotions.

Through the author's poetic style, this story describes a social situation which many children will be familiar with. As far as Birt is concerned, he and Etho are two peas in a pod...but then Shu arrives and life changes for Birt. Etho welcomes a new friend, but Birt begins to distance himself.

'Birt feels a bit strange'  
He doesn't say anything and keeps himself to himself .His smile is
gone- in fact, he has no mouth at all.

Etho and Shu
call round sometimes.
Birt avoids them.

Instead he stays at home
mostly drawing pictures of two boxes, side-by-side.

But he misses Etho.
He misses their cardboard
castles on Sudden Hill.

Many emotions are captured between the illustrations and the text-comfort, joy, caution, jealousy and in particular, loneliness. It's hard not to empathise with Birt and this tricky situation. Thankfully though, Etho and Shu are determined to have Birt back on Sudden Hill. With their cardboard boxes, they create 'An incredible Monster Creature Box Thing!'  They arrive at Birt's doorstep and he just cannot resist- this fantastic creation has WHEELS!

So, after a day of supersonic rocket blasting and other imaginative adventures, Birt adjusts himself to a new 'three-by-three rhythm' and learns to love 'their Etho-Shu-Birt-iness'.

Three friends and their 'incredible Monster Creature Box Thing!'

In short
Oh, this book is like a snuggly pair of slippers-it just gives you that toasty, familiar feeling.
As an adult reader, I love that 'On Sudden Hill' transports me back to warm, sunny fields and carefree play in the countryside. 
As an adult reader sharing this book with a child, I have no doubt that listeners will connect with the play, social interactions and friendship messages within this story. 
Eloquently written, beautifully illustrated, 'On Sudden Hill' is a charming and timeless story. A book-for-keeps, this is one that deserves generations of love and cherishing.

Happy reading,
Missus B

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If you're like me, this book will probably inspire you to take out some cardboard boxes and sticky tape! Check out this lovely Pinterest Board of Cardboard box fun from The Garden House Preschool.

The Cloud

A dark cloud hangs over the little girl's head.What does it mean?Why is it there? Does it represent her feelings? Is she frightened, angry, lonely?A simple story prompting discussions to support social and emotional awareness.

                                                     
The Cloud

Author/Illustrator: Hannah Cumming

Published by Child's Play 2010 (edition I am reviewing here)

Library Copy reviewed

Book Description

Back of Book: In Art Class, one girl never draws anything. Quiet and withdrawn, she seems to have a little cloud above her. But one of her classmates is determined to make her smile, and in so doing, they discover a way of making art that everyone else can enjoy, too.

This simple, short story tells the tale of a young child who attends art class, but seems to be isolated from the group. We don't know why, but the little girl looks unhappy, doesn't draw anything and is not spoken to. 
One class mate decides that she will try to reach out and befriend the girl. It's hard work at first- the dreary cloud hangs heavily around this little lady. But, with time and many attempts, soon she smiles and her cloud begins to diminish. 
The other children at art class see that, by working in pairs art class is more fun. So by the end, the children have paired up to make interesting paintings and in the final double page spread, we see the whole art class happily painting a giant collage together.

The illustrations are beautiful with some lovely background detail.

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I really enjoyed the illustrations and how the author has used colour to give us a visual sense of the atmosphere surrounding the girl with 'the cloud.' In the opening pages we see through a window that, it's raining and dark outside, hence a dull setting. As the story progresses, we see the clouds departing and eventually the sun is shining brightly creating a warm, yellow hue. Of course, this effect perfectly supports the transition in the story itself.

'The Cloud' painting in the book is an analogy for dark feelings which could be sadness, anger or loneliness. Throughout the short story, we see it hovering over and radiating from the little girl, showing how it isolates her from her peers. 
We also see how 'the cloud' can impact on others- the child who attempts friendship can't see her way through the darkness of the cloud, she cowers away from it and feels sad when she first tries talking to the girl.

The book is also filled with the cute and comical art work created by the children in class. Cumming has perfectly captured their child-like sketches and squiggles. The paired art-work is also a fun element to the story- we see children painting to create fun animals and objects -something your child readers may want to try.

The story here is simple, yet the book offers opportunities to consider social situations, discuss feelings, talk about friendships and think about the importance of reaching out to others. The simplicity of the story can appeal to younger children, while it's core message can enhance the emotional learning of young school go-ers and older children.                           
Happy reading, 

Missus B

                                             See my video review here

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Two Speckled Eggs

A friendship story.....
Written & illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann
Walker Books Ltd 2014
Reviewed copy-library book

Back:
AT GINGER'S PARTY, her classmates spoil all the games and hardly even touch the silver-and-gold birthday cake.Poor Ginger! But then the best present of all comes from a quite unexpected direction.....

The story:
Ginger has BIG plans for her birthday- a silver-and-gold birthday cake, party games and invitations for ALL the girls in her class...except Lyla Browning. ...

'Lyla Browning was weird:she smelled like old leaves, she didn't talk much, and she even brought a tarantula in a pickle jar for Show-and-Tell. But Ginger's mum said she had to invite all the girls in her class- or none of them.'

The party day arrives- but, oh fiddlesticks, things just don't go to plan! Lyla arrives WAY to early, no-one eats the fab cake and everyone ignores Ginger when she tries to make the rules during the party games!  

This book has bright, colourful illustrations and a heartwarming message about accepting difference and finding friendship in unexpected places.

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This is a nice read to help develop discussion about friendship & social behaviour.
Lyla doesn't seem to be part of a social circle. As Ginger and her buddies group together, we see Lyla in the background, chasing down insects with her magnifying glass. When Lyla presents her 'curly hair tarantula' at Show-and-Tell, the children recoil in collective disgust. 

The independent Lyla doesn't care though, she appears un-phased by the groaning and teasing from her class mates (or, maybe it bothers her but she doesn't show it?) 

During Ginger's party, we see Lyla in the background busily watching a ladybug. Is Lyla simply not bothered with the party games? Is she happy playing by herself? Is she lonely? Does she feel left out? Is she shy?

Poor Lyla,no-one wants to know about the 'curly-hair tarantula' she brought for Show-and-Tell   :(

Lyla seems to be on the edge- when the girls compliment each other about their dresses and hairbands, the brown-clad Lyla doesn't participate in the niceties, but stays in the background, playing with her magnifying glass. 

'You're finally here!' says Ginger with excitement when her friends arrive. Lyla was there first-but it seems she doesn't count as much
  

There are lots of feelings represented in the book-mainly from  Ginger. We see her disappointed, glum, face when her Mum rightly says EVERYONE must come to the party-including Lyla. While she is giddy and excited early in the day, later she's frustrated and angry when her friends dont play as she'd like. 

In sharing this story, there's plenty to discuss about the interactions and feelings in the group setting. Children can reflect on peer relationships and consider points of view. How does it feel when your birthday party doesn't go the way you'd like it?!

"You're spoiling all the games!" yelled Ginger.
But the girls had already started the three-legged-race.

Of course, there's also Lyla. Mainly playing by herself, how might she feel during the party activities?  When she spots Ginger feeling grumpy, she reaches out to her with the little ladybug she's found.

And a new friendship begins...

By the end of the story, Ginger has learns that, 'weird'  might actually be quirky, interesting and fun. 

I love this story and it's sweet message about friendship- it offers a great opportunity to reflect on and discuss friendships and all its complexities. 

  


Happy Reading,
  Missus B


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