We’ve been busy this summer adding new sequences.

For Year 2, we have The Darkest Dark by astronaut Chris Hadfield, superbly illustrated by the Fan Brothers. This picture book is based on Chris’s early childhood and set on the eve of the first Moon landings in 1969. The boy who was once afraid of the dark discovers delight in its mysteries, eventually becoming one of the most successful astronauts of all time. In addition to developing children’s reading comprehension, fluency, and visual literacy, this sequence can also be effectively integrated with science, history, and autobiographical writing.

In year 3, we highly recommend our new nonfiction choice How Does a Lighthouse Work. Roman Belyaev shares his love of lighthouses through his detailed description and highly stylised illustrations. The reader is required to move between text and illustration to comprehend. Through reading this book, the children will learn how to use keys and to read a range of different styles of diagrams. The vocabulary and sentence structures are fairly demanding; therefore, it is probably best read towards the end of year 3. It works well to either consolidate learning about electricity or as a precursor to studying this science topic in year 4.

For Year 4, we have a new poetry collection, Selfies with Komodos, by Brian Moses. This collection is packed with humour and wordplay, providing plenty of opportunities for developing rhythm and performance. Jakub’s Otter is a poignant story about a young carer who is taken on holiday for some respite by family friends. Through encounters with nature and a connection with an elderly woodsman, he learns to be more open to friendship and find calm and resilience. Superbly written in a dual narrative with alternating perspectives from both Jakub and his new friend Marta.

In Year 6, Chris Mould’s graphic novel version of H. G. Wells’ classic The War of the Worlds is bound to be a popular choice. Updated for the 21st Century, this text provides some interesting comparisons with the original. Keeping it firmly set in the 1800s by creating a central female character who is the narrator’s partner and one of the brave scientists who eventually save the world from these alien invaders. The couple has created a family by caring for children from a local orphanage, and therefore, a non-stereotypical family is also represented in the story. Also in Year 6, we are pleased to introduce Timothée de Fombelle’s philosophical novella, A Swallow in Winter, illustrated by Thomas Campi and translated with exceptional verve by award-winning translator Sarah Ardizzone. This story is a reflective tale that reminds us of our common humanity, the need for kindness, and the power of hope. It is a perfect choice for the run-up to Christmas.

We have more new sequences coming this Autumn. Look out for updates here and in our newsletter.