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Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Dragging a reluctant child on holiday? Bring these books along
A surprising number of children's books about summer begin with reluctance to go wherever the summer is to be spent. Little-known relatives, newly blended families and resisted summer camps feature heavily. And yet summer still casts its spell in so many cases, and there is a good deal of falling in love with new places and communities, long sunny days, jolly larks, and the magic of the outdoors. For anyone taking recalcitrant children on summer adventures, here are some hopeful books that capture good times and prolong them in a shimmering heat haze. For the very young, and in the run-up to a new collaboration by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury (Oh Dear, Look What I Got!, out in September), the picture book that most encapsulates the breezy outdoorsiness of summer holidays is We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Walker £7.99, age 2-4), a bestseller since 1993. The story revolves around four siblings making their way through the long grass and mud of a Suffolk landscape. Oxenbury's vision makes that exciting even before the bear appears. An old favourite from 2000 that conjures up the seaside, with dreamlike additions, is The Visitors Who Came to Stay by Annalena McAfee and Anthony Browne (Walker, 4-7). It's out of print but easily available second-hand. This picture book is about Katy, who lives contentedly with her dad until his girlfriend and her son move in. The special alchemy of this book, besides the happy ending, lies in its surreal shape substitutions, which bring together distinct elements of holiday joy — fairgrounds, ice cream and the beach — all rendered in colours as intense as summer light. • Seven books to get kids reading again — Dr Seuss, Wimpy Kid and more Also about a blended family is Julia Moscardo's Changing Tides (Little Tiger £12.99, 3-6), in which little Lula gradually warms to her new big brother and stepmother. Dappled light, sand dunes, foaming waves, shells, sandcastles, a summer storm and a cosy caravan combine to create a setting that's highly evocative of the season. The author-illustrator Jeff Kinney sustains the originality and comedy of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series in its 19th instalment, with the British Book Award-winner Hot Mess (Puffin £14.99, 7-11). The book finds hilarity and chaos in Greg Heffley's beach house family gathering, with stress that will feel universally familiar — and inevitably daft things happen. Perfect for anyone who doesn't want summer reading to feel like a chore. In CS Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe it is always winter, never Christmas. But in the fifth chronicle, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (various publishers, ages 8+), Edmund and Lucy are struggling in the summer — 'It was dreadful having to spend the summer holidays at their Aunt's.' But then seawater splashes out of the frame of a picture of a Narnian ship. The pair are transported (with their odious cousin Eustace Scrubb) on board the Dawn Treader alongside the boy king Caspian and Reepicheep, the swashbuckling mouse. On a quest to the world's end, they visit islands where they end slavery, close down nightmares, engage in battle and witness Eustace's transformation from a dragon — saved by Aslan — into a nicer person. Not your average summer experiences, but the book is full of the smell of the sea and the light of sunsets. Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay (Hodder Children's Books £6.99, 8-11), is the first in the series about the unmissable and hilariously quirky Casson family, and follows a secret trip to Italy for the adopted heroine to find something from her past. It is somewhere she dreams of from the beginning: 'In the dream was a white paved place with walls. A sunny place, quiet and enclosed. There were little dark pointed trees and there was the sound of water. The blue sky was too bright to look at …. In the dream was the word, Siena.' This place will lodge in your memory just as it does in Saffy's. • Read more book reviews and interviews — and see what's top of the Sunday Times Bestsellers List First published in 1965, Over Sea, Under Stone (Puffin £7.99, 9-12) is the first book of what went on to become Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising sequence, continued ten years later. In it, the three Drew siblings, staying with their great-uncle Merry in Cornwall, must overcome the forces of Dark. It merges Arthurian legend with a perilous treasure hunt for the Grail, with fishing trips and the local landscape woven in. An ideal way into the fantasy genre for children aged eight and above, it also bathes the southwest in an ancient, and sometimes sinister, magic. For older teenagers or young adults, Meg Rosoff's funny, wise and observant The Great Godden (Bloomsbury £7.99, 14+) evokes the feeling of being on holiday so vividly it almost puts sand between your toes. It is also an antidote to the clichés of a holiday romance: when a charismatic boy joins a family in their beach house, his manipulative behaviour reveals the dangers of infatuation. Finally, the pink villa in Corfu where the eccentric Durrell family stay in Gerald Durrell's autobiographical My Family and Other Animals (Penguin £9.99, 9+) is perhaps the most entrancing foreign abode imaginable — and unsurprisingly helped to boost local tourism. This book stirs a deep wanderlust, perfectly captured in its distillation of summer's enchantment: 'Each day had a tranquillity, a timelessness about it so that you wished it would never end. But then the dark skin of the night would peel off and there would be a fresh day waiting for us as glossy and colourful as a child's transfer and with the same tinge of unreality.' It is, of course, also irresistible because it is so funny. Buy from Discount for Times+ members
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Keir Starmer urged to honour pledge to embed speaking skills in England's schools
The children's writer Michael Rosen, one-time political strategist Alastair Campbell and former education secretaries Charles Clarke and Estelle Morris have urged the prime minister to honour his pre-election pledge to embed speaking skills in England's schools. They are among 60 signatories to an open letter to Keir Starmer, calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour's revised national curriculum and make it the fourth 'R' in education, alongside reading, writing and arithmetic. Supporters were delighted when Labour announced in 2023 that teaching oracy – often defined as developing skill in using spoken language – would be a central part of Labour's educational priorities if it won the next election. However, campaigners say it was not mentioned in the interim report of the government's curriculum and assessment review earlier this year, leading to fears oracy may have slipped down the educational agenda. The full report is due later this year. The letter, organised by Voice 21, the UK's leading oracy education charity, said: 'Two years ago you pledged that under your Labour government, every child would be supported to develop essential oracy skills – as part of the mission to ensure all young people are prepared for work and ready for life. 'We urge you to turn that promise into lasting change. In a world shaped by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, deepening social divides and persistent inequality, the skills of speaking, listening and communication have never been more urgently needed.' Rosen, who is a professor of children's literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, said: 'The backbone of language is our talk. It's the everyday way we make and change relationships, share the events of our lives, hear about other people's lives. 'It's where we forge our identities and culture, it's where and how we get a good deal of our understanding of what matters. We can learn and develop how to be better talkers and listeners. 'School is a perfect time for us to do that. This needs time and space and sensitive help from teachers. I hope this government backs an oracy programme in education.' Campbell, now a mental health campaigner and author, added: 'It's time every child had the chance to develop their oracy skills – it's key not just to confidence and deeper thinking but also for countering the rise in polarisation. Labour should make sure its curriculum review has a proper commitment to oracy.' Other signatories to the letter include author and educator Jeffrey Boakye, Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, which champions social mobility, and Rupert Knight, associate professor in education at the University of Nottingham. Kate Paradine, Voice 21's chief executive, said: 'Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged the importance of oracy and the need to embed it in the national curriculum. We are now urging the government to deliver on its manifesto commitment so that every child can benefit from a high-quality oracy education.' A Department for Education spokesperson said the government's plan for change would ensure every young person, irrespective of background, develops the skills needed to succeed in work and life, including in speaking and listening. 'We're already investing in evidence-based language interventions in the early years, including Nuffield Early Language Intervention, to support children's speech and language development and have strengthened our teacher training framework to place greater emphasis on high quality oral language. 'We will also consider how best to ensure pupils can communicate fluently and confidently as part of a cutting-edge curriculum, with final recommendations from the independent review due to be published in the autumn.'
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Good for you! Braving the heatwave on Glastonbury's final day
Sunday at Glastonbury kicked off in wholesome fashion in the Kidzfield, with Michael Rosen speaking to a young audience, preceded by a children's disco party. Michael Rosen speaks to children about literature and language in the Kidzfield. Monster Maker 3000 host a disco party for children in the Kidzfield Big Top tent. For the last of the Guardian Live events, the Libertines had a chinwag with journalist Miranda Sawyer at the Astrolabe. Miranda Sawyer interviews Pete Doherty and Carl Barât of the Libertines for Guardian Live. Freewheeling cellist Abel Selaocoe and his group Bantu Ensemble played at the West Holts stage. Ammar Kalia was there reviewing for our live blog: 'A full-body barrage of enlivening sounds, rousing a bleary-eyed West Holts crowd to attention' was his verdict. Irish post-punk band Sprints perform on Woodsies. Later in their set they would bring on Kate Nash as a guest. Sprints play Woodsies at Glastonbury. The Libertines, fresh from their Guardian chat, warmed up the Pyramid stage for the tea-time Rod Stewart fans taking their places. Libertines on the Pyramid stage. As the thermometer ticked up again, hardcore punk enthusiasts Turnstile started an almighty mosh pit on the Other stage. Turnstile on the Other stage. Brendan Yates of Turnstile gets some air. We met some fans at the Pyramid stage for Rod Stewart's 'legends' set singalong. Three friends pose for a picture on the hill next to the Pyramid stage while Rod Stewart plays. Rosie from Romford cools off in the heat. Right Olivia, 23 from Liverpool. The crowd are abuzz as they head away from the Pyramid stage following Chic's triumphant performance. Festivalgoers leave the Pyramid stage after Chic. Prodigy served up an explosive performance to the Other stage. 'For all that Glastonbury don't do metal bands, they've basically got one with this hard-hitting, riff-spewing Prodigy setup,' said Ben Beaumont-Thomas on our live blog. Maxim out front and centre for the Prodigy. Meanwhile over at the Pyramid stage, Olivia Rodrigo closed proceedings in style, even bringing our Robert Smith for some Cure singalongs. 'It feels like more of an event than any other big set this year,' was Alexis Petridis's verdict. Amid the power ballads and pop, Rodrigo brought no small measure of raucous rock. Fans at the front for Olivia Rodrigo as she headlined the Pyramid Stage After she finished, crowds dispersed in search of more music in the dance areas of Silver Hayes and South-East corner. The Hive in Silver Hayes. Glastonbury festival late on Sunday evening.
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Joke book created in memory of son of author Michael Rosen
A unique tribute has been created by former teammates of a hockey player who died from meningitis 25 years ago, with a joke book aiming to raise awareness and funds for research into the disease. Titled 'Big Eddie's Joke Book,' the publication honours Eddie Rosen, who passed away at the age of 18 in 1999. The book was compiled by Eddie's friends and former teammates from the Gunners Hockey Club in London, alongside their families. Eddie was the son of renowned children's author and poet, Michael Rosen. The initiative serves as both a celebration of Eddie's life and his enduring love of laughter, while also contributing to vital meningitis research. It is packed with jokes, limericks and stories, contributed by people whose lives were touched by Eddie's personality. Eddie was part of a youth hockey programme run by Arsenal in the Community. Freddie Hudson, Eddie's former coach who is now head of Arsenal in the Community, said: 'A joke book is a fitting way to remember Eddie. Humour was at the heart of the Gunners Hockey set-up and Eddie was a master. 'Knowing that people may find themselves smiling or chuckling over the jokes is a lovely way of keeping his memory alive.' Charlotte Ulett, senior events and community manager from the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: 'Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our vision is a world free from the fear of meningitis. 'What makes this joke book special is that it's a touching tribute, giving everyone a glimpse of Eddie's character and the fun he brought to those around him. 'Turning laughter into life-saving awareness is also a powerful way of keeping his legacy alive. Each smile and joke shared from the pages of this book is a fitting way of honouring Eddie's memory while raising vital awareness.'
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Joke book created in memory of hockey player who died from meningitis
Big Eddie's Joke Book is a tribute to Eddie Rosen, son of children's author and poet, Michael Rosen, whose died from meningitis at the age of 18 in 1999. Created by Eddie's friends, and former teammates from the Gunners Hockey Club in London and their families, the book is a celebration of his life and love of laughter. Michael Rosen with son Eddie (Meningitis Research Foundation/PA) It is packed with jokes, limericks and stories, contributed by people whose lives were touched by Eddie's personality. Eddie was part of a youth hockey programme run by Arsenal in the Community. Freddie Hudson, Eddie's former coach who is now head of Arsenal in the Community, said: 'A joke book is a fitting way to remember Eddie. Humour was at the heart of the Gunners Hockey set-up and Eddie was a master. 'Knowing that people may find themselves smiling or chuckling over the jokes is a lovely way of keeping his memory alive.' Charlotte Ulett, senior events and community manager from the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: 'Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our vision is a world free from the fear of meningitis. 'What makes this joke book special is that it's a touching tribute, giving everyone a glimpse of Eddie's character and the fun he brought to those around him. 'Turning laughter into life-saving awareness is also a powerful way of keeping his legacy alive. Each smile and joke shared from the pages of this book is a fitting way of honouring Eddie's memory while raising vital awareness.'
