October’s Title Pick for Children: The Skull by Jon Klassen
The nights are edging ever slowly towards increasing darkness, the first nods to Halloween were in the shops weeks ago... but there is nothing that says autumn like a pile of books and a fire. Particularly a pile curated specifically for this time of year. Requirements being: Mist, Leaves, Solace, with an occasional haunting.
Jon Klassen's The Skull ticks all these boxes, and is a must read for this time of year. The low light cast across the pages, following the journey of Otilla - a quiet but strong and small presence underpinning the story as it unfolds through various stages.
The beauty in this folktale-inspired creation from Klassen is in everything that it does not say. The parts of the story we don't have any answer to. Otilla runs away from home. But who from? And why? It gives so much space for the reader to bring their own thoughts and imagination - making it a fantastic choice for Shared Reading as the season draws in.
By Rachel Bourke, Reading Heroes Coordinator
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