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Book Fossils

A children's book blog

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Books for trying times

April 2, 2020 bookfossils1 Comment

In painful and insecure times like these, many of us find it comforting to re-read a favourite book – perhaps one from a sunnier and more innocent time, for the escape it offers briefly, or one that depicts characters triumphing through dangers and hardships. What books do you turn to?

Posted in Joint articlesTagged classic children's books, re-reading, YA fiction

Kidlit for the artist’s journey

March 13, 2020March 31, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

Growing up to be an artist is a popular theme in children’s literature. Here are two older books about boys wrestling with definitions of masculinity at odds with their artistic vocations.

Posted in Gay's articlesTagged books for children, kidlit, YA fiction

A few of my favourite things

March 9, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

When an extraordinary news story breaks, everyone remembers where they were, and what they were doing. In the same way, there are remarkable books which, when first encountered, are forever impressed with a timestamp of memory.

Posted in Ian's articlesTagged books for children, kidlit, nostalgia, YA fiction

A Long Way From Verona

March 3, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

As a child I read this book until I wore out the cover. How, then, did I miss the death of an important character?

Posted in Gay's articlesTagged classic children's books, kidlit

Steph Bowe, we grieve for you

March 1, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

YA author Steph Bowe passed away on 20th January, aged just 25. Ian pays tribute to Steph and the gifts she left us.

Posted in Ian's articlesTagged YA fiction

The power of a children’s book: “What Then, Raman?” by Shirley L. Arora

February 23, 2020March 31, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

About a year ago I was asked to give a talk at a fundraising dinner for literacy. This post is an excerpt.

Posted in Gay's articlesTagged books for children, education, kidlit, literacy

Why read kidlit? An opinionated opinion.

February 23, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

There is much I love about adult fiction. But children's literature, when done well, has a special quality.

Posted in Ian's articlesTagged kidlit, YA fiction

Species loss in children’s literature

February 15, 2020March 31, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

Those of us who grew up with a rich and varied ecosystem of children's books are becoming conscious of an insidious loss of species and a trend towards large monoculture farming.

Posted in Ian's articlesTagged classic children's books

MacBunny in Paris

February 14, 2020February 15, 2020 bookfossilsLeave a comment

Have picture books moulded your expectations of life? My relationship with MacBunny and other rabbits.

Posted in Gay's articlesTagged picture books, psychology

About Ian and Gay

We’re the book fossils.  Born in the sixties to the same grandparents, we grew up on a diet of books with wildly inventive plots, memorable characters and punchy illustrations.  We miss them, we love them, we need to talk about them.  Our only qualifications are a shared passion for children’s and YA literature… and some very over-stuffed bookshelves.

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