St Mary's staff favourite books

Welcome to our 'staff favourite books' page! We would like to share all of our favourite books which we either enjoy reading with loved ones or special books which we read when we were younger. Have you read any of the books which the staff have shared?

My favourite book as a child was 'Mick The Disobedient Puppy'. This book was presented to me at Sunday School and probably one of the first books I remember reading!!!  I loved it at the end when he proved he could be a good boy and save the family from the fire. He then had loads of cuddles! 😊

My favourite childhood book was The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg.  I loved how interactive the book was with all of the letters in their own envelopes that were written by the characters in the story.  It was also lovely to read about familiar fairy tale characters throughout the book.

My favourite children's book is Matilda by Roald Dahl. In this book, Matilda discovers her love of books and by the age of three, has taught herself to read. At four she has read all the children’s stories in the library. She is oblivious to her brilliance and her parents are less than encouraging. “What’s wrong with the telly, for heaven’s sake?” her father demands, while her mother insists that brains never got a woman anywhere. 😯

It is not until Matilda attends school and meets the lovely Miss Honey that anyone begins to nurture her talent. But things don’t become easier for Matilda there. She must survive a place ruled by the frightening and larger-than-life Miss Trunchbull who has Matilda in her sights, insisting she is “a nasty little worm”.

I love this book because of two characters. Firstly, Matilda, a talented young girl who, against all odds, is determined to learn and teach the adults in her life some lessons along the way. Secondly, Miss Honey, the reason I became a teacher. I love the dynamic between the two and how Miss Honey notices something special in Matilda and is determined to nurture it. I have learned I aren't at all like Miss Honey, quiet, timid and sweet but I do like to find that something special in every child I teach and nurture it.

This story is beautifully heart-warming; a surprising mix of humour, adventure and mystery. And, as with any Dahl story, Matilda provides a strong message to children: you can do it.

Oh, plus a message to grown-ups – treat your children nicely, as they’re not as helpless as you may imagine!

My favourite childhood stories are the Little Miss and Mr Men books. I used to love all the funny names that they are called and all the adventures that they got taken. Having a story read to me before bed used to be my favourite part of the evening, therefore this book reminds of happy times with my mum and dad!

My favourite children’s book is Clockwork by Phillip Pullman.

I love this story as it has lots of mysteries that as a reader you are trying to piece together and solve! There are brilliant twists and turns that are unexpected and leave you wanting more. This book is not for the faint-hearted but hard to put down once you start. It’s all like clockwork turning…

My favourite childhood book is ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton. I love how the book creates a vivid picture in your imagination through the use of language. When you read it, it makes you forget the world and you drift off into a new world of exciting adventures. I love the different lands that the children discover as they venture further up The Magic Faraway Tree. I remember my Mum reading this story to me when I was younger and also re-reading it myself as I got older. It reminds me of cosy bedtime routines and loving time with my family. I can’t wait for Amelia (my daughter) to grow up so that we can share this story together! 

My favourite book is ‘The Troll’ by Julia Donaldson. The reason why I love reading this book is because there are two stories happening at the same time that come together at the end. One of the stories in the book is based on a familiar story the ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and it uses the repetitive language ‘Who’s that trip trapping over my bridge’ but there is a twist and I love that about the book.

My favourite book is ‘Stick Man’ by Julia Donaldson. Firstly, the book is written by one of my all time favourite authors! Secondly, I love how the book is written through rhyme and repetition. I like how the book takes you on an adventure with Stick Man who is taken from the family tree. It gives me a sense of familiarity with family and how important it is to me. I enjoy reading about the different ventures he goes on into the outside world and the different people he encounters. The book reminds me of happy times reading it to my niece and nephew, they particularly enjoy the part when Stick Man meets Father Christmas. Most of all, I find I enjoy lots of books when they end with a happy ending… which this book does as Stick Man is finally reunited with his family, just in time for Christmas!

One of my favourite books is Angel House by Anne Curtis. It’s a book of few words but is thought provoking and relatable. The story is about a young boy who is struggling emotionally and feels like he is different to those around him. Angel House is a support for him makes him realise that he is inner strength and is important. The book uses illustrations by Chris Corner which are both atmospheric and eerie. I think I spend more time looking at the illustrations that I do reading the words. They really help me to see how the boy is feeling and the importance of Angel house in his life. My favourite line is, ‘Angel House is like a huge, dark flower in a wild garden.’ Every time I read Angel House I feel something different and every time I look at the pictures I find a new and interesting detail that I hadn’t noticed before.

Mrs Thomas’s favourite book:

My favourite book is “Forever Star” by Gareth Peter. It is my favourite book because it is about children being part of different families. Some children come from families with one parent, some children live with their grandparents, some children are even fostered or adopted. But what is important is that all of these children are loved and looked after by their families, even though they are all different! I think it is a lovely message, as we all come from families of different shapes and sizes!