Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark... Their children get neither sweets nor treats, and their parents can’t afford to take them to Colchester zoo or the fireworks. I think about the classroom tradition of talking about what you did in your holidays and wonder what these kids say. I wonder how tough things get at home, and how much they overhear. Given the current global situation and with many people facing drastically changing lives this seemed like the perfect opportunity to re-read and review It’s a No-Money Day. A powerful and poignant story that beautifully and sensitively portrays the hardships that mother and daughter face with limited income. Exploration of this heart-warming poem shared by The Trussell Trust and written by a food bank user – https://www.trusselltrust.org/2013/05/05/ladys-poem-describes-foodbank-experience/

The illustrations sympathetically show how stressful the hard-working mum is sometimes finding life, even as the text fizzes with her little daughter’s enthusiasm. But mum is a quiet, loving presence throughout, and a source of joy and fun for her daughter. It’s a No-Money Day is not a bleak book.

Despite all of the struggles that they face the family remain positive… “Maybe one day.” A book that all children should read and have the opportunity to discuss. On a mean street in a mean, broken city, a young girl tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. But the frail old woman says the thief can’t have it without giving something in return: the promise. It is the beginning of a journey that will change the girl’s life — and a chance to change the world, for good.

I look after the everything-else jar. Mum says that if it ever gets full, we can get a kitten.’ Author and illustrator – and campaigner – Kate Milner is garnering great praise and prizes for her beautifully-illustrated and empathetic picture books. It’s a No-Money Day follows her award-winning My Name is Not Refugee and explores life below the poverty line with sensitivity and stunning artwork. With more than one in four children in the UK growing up in poverty and many dependent on foodbanks to survive, Kate Milner has given us an excellent starting point for parents to discuss a difficult issue with young children. engage with social issues as presented through picturebooks to broaden their outlook of marginalised groups in society Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12...

My Name is not Refugee

That’s a rather grandiose way of saying that I hope my book suggests to children that we should be kind and show respect. The distinctive illustrations in muted tones are full of interesting detail, providing further talking points and beautifully enhancing the sparse text. An outstanding book by an award-winning author/illustrator, which successfully presents this thought-provoking topic to a young audience and is full of hope for a brighter future. There is loads of scope for using the book in the classroom, with reading, writing and PSHE the most obvious areas of the curriculum that could be enhanced by this story. With that in mind, I decided to use the book alongside a range of other sources to create a week of whole-class reading activities. Alongside comprehension activities for the book, the week includes;

The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... Only just published, it is believed to be the UK’s first picture book about food banks. And, while the subject has been handled compassionately by the prize-winning author Kate Milner, I can’t help but see that landmark as a disgrace – for all of us. It is the watershed moment when Britain’s food banks go from newspaper headlines to a subject that teachers cover in classrooms; the moment at which mass destitution is no longer a badge of political failure but is instead accepted as part of British life. I read this as part of my annual CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals shortlist reading project. What if this number increased? Even if it didn’t, a third is far too much. No children should have to be visiting food banks with their families. Recently, T and I read a fantastic picture book by Kate Milner called It’s a No-Money Day. The book tells the story of a single parent and her young daughter struggling financially and having to visit a food bank. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book manages to convey an important message with clarity and hope.

Mum works really hard, but today there is no money left and no food in the cupboards. Forced to visit the local foodbank, Mum feels ashamed that they have to rely on the kindness of others. Maybe one day things will be different but for now together they brighten up even the darkest of days.