It's advisable that primary school aged children keep up
with their reading over (what seems to them) an endless summer break, but try
telling an eight-year-old that.
Jacqueline Wilson, our most beloved (living) children’s
writer, has put together four short stories to help ease reluctant young
readers into the hobby while they’re off school and stuck inside due to them
being off school in England, where we don’t get a summer.
All four stories encourage affordable, outdoor activities
while subtly promoting the fringe benefits of none-nuclear families, equality
and acceptance.
First up we have Our Free Day Out, in which Lily, is
despairing at the thought of six weeks trapped in a tiny flat with them all.
Relief comes in the form of an accommodating Over 60’s
group, who invite the struggling family along on their seaside trip.
The second story, Day Out in the Country, sees Hayley forced
to socialise with her mum’s new boyfriend, whose idea of a fun day out is
hiking up a big hill.
The heroine of Odd One Out, Laura, prefers ‘innings’ to
outings and would rather be writing stories than consorting with her gaggle of
half and step siblings.
And finally, we have Marty, whose animal obsession is
rewarded with a very special summer holiday trip.
All four heroines are also avid readers and writers
themselves, which should hopefully inspire Wilson’s target demographic, which I’d put in
the female, aged 5-10 bracket in this case.
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