Top Texts for October

​This month’s top texts have been chosen by Mat Tobin who teaches English and Children’s Literature on undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Oxford Brookes University. Mat joined Oxford Brookes in 2014 after 16 years of primary teaching in Oxfordshire. He has research interests in children’s literature and the Reading for Pleasure agenda.

Letters from the Lighthouse

In Letters from the Lighthouse, Carroll not only captures the past with an engaging and affecting narrative but shows herself to be a leading historical novelist for children. Click on the book cover to read an interview with Emma about her writing process.

The Legend of Podkin One-Ear

We have here a thumping story bursting at the seams with pace and humour, hardships and fear – a great classroom read aloud as much as it is one to be curled up under your bed’s blankets. Click on the book cover to read an interview with the author.

Sonya's Chickens

There is a wonderful sense of comfort and care here within the family and the blend of collage and watercolour give such a rich sense of both the inside and outside. It was also refreshing to find a picturebook with a mixed-race family in it. Click on the book cover to find more suggestions under this theme.

Mathew_Tobin-2.jpg

About this month's reviewer

Mat Tobin teaches English and Children’s Literature in Primary ITE and both the Primary PGCE and the 3-7 Early Years PGCE. He also teaches Early Children’s Literature on the undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies and leads several modules on the MA/PGCert in Education with a focus on Imagination and Creativity and Children’s Reading. Since joining Brookes in 2014 after 16 years of Primary teaching in Oxfordshire, Mat has been asked to deliver several keynotes across the UK on Reading for Pleasure, Picturebooks and Engaging pupils in the reading and writing process. He has research interests in children’s literature and the Reading for Pleasure agenda.

Search