Books for children
Jenny and her grandad live beside the smelly Thames, eking a meagre living from what they find in the sewers. But big changes are about to come when Marc Brunel builds the world’s first underwater tunnel under the Thames. When the young, bored-from-speeches Queen Victoria walks through and accidentally runs into Jenny, the youngster tells her Majesty that the tunnel would make a good railway. Some years later, the first part of the London Underground is launched by Queen Victoria, who claims the idea was hers. But there’s a feisty young woman who will soon put her right. Factual, funny and delightfully illustrated. Suitable for age seven upwards.
The absence of a parent — through divorce, illness, or having to work in another country — is disturbing. But the families left behind are treated with the sympathetic kindness of friends and neighbours. However, crime doesn’t draw comforting words or sympathy. When Milly’s father is jailed, her world falls apart — missing him — yet bearing the shame of his imprisonment. It takes an astute young teacher to prevent any jibes and ensure the support of Milly’s friends. Prison visits prove dad is still the same loving dad. This thoughtful, significant book softly underlines coming to terms with family crises. Age eight and upwards.
