Books for kids...
This is not the black sheep of legend but an imaginative and ambitious animal.
Showing off your talent can lead to jealousy from less well-endowed animals, but when leadership is needed it is the Little Black Sheep who comes to the rescue, garnering praise from the farmer’s sheepdog. Age 6+
This is also the story of time as it ranges from The Big Bang to holidaying in space, with great illustrations by Amy Husband.
It demonstrated how the stars and planets came into existence, how dust and gas left over from the sun’s creation formed our planetary system and how a huge asteroid literally knocked Earth sideways thus creating the seasons.
It might be news to us, though hardly in Ireland, that billions of years ago it rained for thousands of years eventually leading to tiny forms of life which then created our oxygen.
Multi-ethnic comic characters comment on the wonders of our atmosphere, the magical star constellations, gravity, black holes , and the importance of the first moon-landing. An inspiring, friendly and thought-provoking introduction to time and space. Age 6+
Though the story is Siobhan Dowd’s, Emma Shoard should be acclaimed for the illustrations, largely charcoal and wash. These flesh out the short story into graphic novel format.
Jim, a Traveller teenager, or Pavee, has to attend Dundray school, a place where he experiences bullying. Being unable to read means the classes are boring and humiliating.
The only person who treats him as an equal is a girl called Kit, a settled or Buffer girl, who also is an outsider. Their relationship blossoms but only until the Travellers get their usual order from the authorities.
Though the ending is heartbreaking the story offers a glimmer of hope, as symbolised by the respect and affection between the Pavee and the Buffer Girl. Age 10+
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