SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: CHEEKY CHICK!
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://juliajarman.com
CITY: Bedfordshire, England
STATE:
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY: British
LAST VOLUME: SATA 198
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born March 28, 1946, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England; married Peter Jarman (an engineer); children: three.
EDUCATION:Attended University of Manchester.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author, 1983—. Worked previously as a teacher of English and drama.
AVOCATIONS:Gardening, theater, computers, literature.
AWARDS:Stockport Schools Book Award, for Big Red Bath, Ghost Writer, and Class Two at the Zoo; NASEN Highly Commended Award, and West Sussex Book Award shortlist, both for Ghost Writer; North East Teenage Book Award shortlist, for Peace Weavers; Lancashire Children’s Book of the Year shortlist, and Lanarkshire Schools Book Award, both for Hangman.
WRITINGS
Also author of Bully Bear, Rabbit’s Surprise Birthday, and Terrible Tiger, all for Rigby; Harry and the Clever Spider and Harry and the Clever Spider at School, both for Collins; and Molly and the Giant for Oxford University Press.
The Jessame Stories and More Jessame Stories were recorded on audiocassette, read by Adjoah Andoh, Mammoth, 2001. The Time-Travelling Cat and the Egyptian Goddess and The Time-Travelling Cat and the Tudor Treasure were adapted as audiobooks, Chivers Children’s Audio.
SIDELIGHTS
British children’s writer Julia Jarman is the author of more than one hundred books for young people. Known for her mysteries, time-travel fantasies, and books for newly independent readers, the prolific Jarman is often commended for her ability to create well-developed characters. In Writing, Anita Rowe called Jarman “one of the most versatile young people’s authors writing today.”
Jarman’s first novel, When Poppy Ran Away, was inspired by a childhood prank. While playing with a friend, the author recalled to a contributor in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, “I gave her a potion made from water and soot. She drank it and I enjoyed it at the time, but after I came home, my conscience got the better of me and I was convinced I had murdered her.” In When Poppy Ran Away, young Poppy Field grows tired of her perfectly organized life of music lessons, ballet classes, and babysitting. Forced to spend time with the seemingly ideal Virginia Creeber, the girl decides to play a joke on her friend. When Poppy realizes what she has done, she fears her parents’ reaction and decides to run away, dramatically altering her boring everyday routine. School Librarian critic Sue May called young Poppy an “assertive and adventurous” character in a book that “certainly represents a move towards girls taking the initiative.”
Poppy returns in Poppy and the Vicarage Ghost, where the young protagonist discovers a young boy hiding in the ex-vicarage she is hired to watch for the summer. Running away from his father, who wants to take him to South America, the boy and Poppy explore the haunted house. They find not only a secret passage, but also the ghost—and skeleton—of Alice Cookeson, a girl who hid beneath the residence during the English Civil War. Writing in Growing Point, a critic praised Jarman’s use of “triumphs and quests” as well as her ability “to mingle humour, affection and atmosphere in an ingenious tale.”
Called “a most unusual story” by Junior Bookshelf reviewer Marcus Crouch, The Ghost of Tantony Pig follows Laurie Gell as he tries to discover the source of the noise emanating from Hogsbottom Field. After a wealthy tycoon decides to build a mansion on the sight, much to the distress of villagers, witnesses claim they hear strange, pig-like grunts coming from Hogsbottom. Learning of an old tale concerning the sacred pig of St. Antony’s Church, Laurie begins to wonder if he is the descendant of a boy who, during the Black Plague, received a warning from a pig of the danger to his village. “Traditional and modern elements are mixed with cheerful confidence in an immensely exciting and pointed fantasy-adventure,” claimed a Growing Point critic, while Margaret Mallett wrote in School Librarian that Jarman’s “story … moves swiftly to an exciting and satisfying end.”
Fantasy again is featured in Topher and the Time-Travelling Cat, a book for older readers “who are likely to enjoy the mix of fantasy and family life,” suggested Frances Ball in a School Librarian review. Living a quiet life with his father in London after the death of his mother, Topher Hope unexpectedly receives a guest one day, a cat that resembles a statue his mother once brought back from Egypt. Naming the foundling Ka, Topher finds the cat typing a word on his computer, “Bubastis.” After Ka fails to return to the Hope house for several days, Topher decides to investigate more about “Bubastis” in the British Museum. Ultimately, the boy finds himself going back in time to Egypt where he searches for his pet cat. Describing the book as “an easy-paced read into which the reader is gradually drawn,” a Junior Bookshelf critic noted that Topher and the Time-Travelling Cat “has the feel of a fern slowly unfurling.”
Jarman has also authored several books for the beginning-to-read audience, including The Jessame Stories and More Jessame Stories. In the first work, readers are introduced to Jessame, a young girl of Ghanaian heritage who lives in the London neighborhood of Bethnal Green. Through this collection of tales, children learn about the everyday life of another young girl as Jessame visits a nearby museum, listens to the tales of her sea-faring uncle, and attends school, all of which, according to Books for Keeps reviewer Chris Powling, appeal to a child’s desire to learn more about the lives of others. Powling went on to remark on Jarman’s ability to record Jessame’s activities “so exactly you feel you’re inside her head sharing them.” Also considering the tales in The Jessame Stories “witty and well written,” School Librarian critic Irene Babsky found that Jessame’s experiences mirror “a good range of the hopes, fears, and incidents that punctuate the lives of most children.”
The girl’s further adventures are served up in More Jessame Stories. Here, Jarman shows the young girl as she enjoys other events, such as a picnic, family wedding, and helping a new girl adjust to her school. While the things Jessame does are common to many readers, a Books for Keeps reviewer noted that the appeal of More Jessame Stories lies in Jarman’s ability to “convey a vivid sense of life freshly experienced.” The critic went on to describe the volume as “delightful in a literal sense,” recording many aspects of London life not regularly found in children’s books.
Peace Weavers, a young-adult work, centers on Hilde, a pacifist who lives with her parents on an air force base. During an archaeological dig, workers unearth the skeleton of a woman that dates from the sixth century. After Hilde finds some gold jewelry at the same site, she begins having strange dreams about a girl named Mathilde who served as an envoy between two warring tribes. Writing in the Bookseller, Claudia Mody called Peace Weavers “a timely novel about peace in our world.”
Jarman received the Stockport Schools Book Award for her lively picture book Big Red Bath. At bath time one evening, young Stella and Stan are joined by a host of animals, including a duck, a giraffe, and a lion, creating a bubbly mess. When a hippo hops into the crowded tub, though, it careens down the stairs, out of the house, and into space. A contributor in Publishers Weekly described the tale as “a frothy flight of fancy,” and a Kirkus Reviews critic noted that the author “has created an imaginative tale of good clean fun!” Carolyn Phelan, writing in Booklist, praised the combination of Jarman’s text and Adrian Reynolds’ illustrations, remarking: “Bright and bouncy like the rhyming text, the large, cleanly defined drawings glow with warm washes.”
In Class Two at the Zoo, a humorous tale told in verse, a group of excited schoolchildren ignore their teacher’s warnings about wandering off and soon find themselves swallowed by a huge anaconda. It is up to young Molly, who first spots the dilemma, to devise a clever solution to her classmates’ problem. Class Two at the Zoo received solid reviews: a contributor in Kirkus Reviews described the work as a “bouncy cautionary tale,” and Gay Lynn Van Vleck, writing in School Library Journal, observed that Jarman’s story “will surely tickle the fancy of most field-trip participants.”
[open new]On a family walk in Jarman’s picture book When Baby Lost Bunny, Baby tries to explain to everyone when a stuffed animal goes missing, but no one understands—so Baby cries. Eventually his brother figures out why, leading Rudolf Loewenstein of School Librarian to affirm that the book will please anyone who “ever had a younger sibling lose something or be upset for no apparent reason .” A snowy day is just the elixir two reserved and anxious pandas need to forge a new friendship in Two Shy Pandas, which a Kirkus Reviews writer deemed “sweet tonic for skittish young listeners.”
The title feline in Lovely Old Lion is Lenny’s grandfather, King Lion, who is getting grumpy in his later years and sometimes forgets things—like Lenny’s name. After Hippo explains how old age can lead a person’s mind to work less well, Lenny helps King Lion remember his youth through the set of marbles he once gave Lenny. A Kirkus Reviews writer affirmed that Jarman “explains the concept of memory loss well” and hailed Lovely Old Lion as a “supportive, honest, and needed explanation of Alzheimer’s-type illnesses” that will “help develop compassion” in young readers.
Friendship is at the heart of a trio of chapter books by Jarman with illustrations by Kate Pankhurst. In Make Friends, Break Friends, Daisy is trying to get her two very different best friends, sporty Erika and artsy Phoebe, to like each other. Daisy’s post as a designated problem-solving “buddy” at their school leads to confusion and hurt feelings, but when Erika hurts her ankle after drama club, Phoebe saves the day. Angela Lepper of School Librarian appreciated the “satisfactory conclusion to a realistic tale.” With Erika getting bullied via text message in A Friend in Need!, Anne Harding noted that the theme is “well handled, and the book could be used to raise awareness and discussion about this important issue.” New girl Shazia, from Pakistan, becomes part of the crew in New Friends, Old Friends, which prompted Carolyn Boyd of School Librarian to laud this “wonderful series for early independent readers.”
In Cheeky Chick, four of Mother Hen’s youngsters heed her warning to stay close to home, but Cheeky Chick ignores her—as well as the barnyard friends who offer stern warnings—as he wanders away. When fearsome Fox appears, Cheeky Chick must flee apace before cleverly turning the other cheek and leaving Fox all wet. In School Library Journal, Yelena Voysey affirmed that “Jarman’s rhyming verses smoothly roll off the tongue” in this “silly adventure romp.” Enjoying how “Fox gets his comeuppance when Cheeky Chick lives up to his name,” a Kirkus Reviews writer proclaimed, “Three cheers for this unlikely but intrepid hero.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 1, 2005, Carolyn Phelan, review of Big Red Tub, p. 869.
Bookseller, January 16, 2004, Claudi Mody, review of Peace Weavers, p. 37.
Books for Keeps, July, 1994, Chris Powling, review of The Jessame Stories, p. 28; September, 1997, review of Little Mouse Grandma, p. 23; May, 1998, review of More Jessame Stories, p. 25.
Books for Your Children, autumn-winter, 1987, review of Ollie and the Bogle, p. 17; autumn, 1988, V. Taylor, review of Poppy and the Vicarage Ghost, p. 32.
Growing Point, July, 1987, review of Ollie and the Bogle, pp. 4818-4819; November, 1988, review of Poppy and the Vicarage Ghost, pp. 5076-5077; March, 1991, review of The Ghost of Tantony Pig, pp. 5491-5492.
Junior Bookshelf, October, 1988, review of Poppy and the Vicarage Ghost, p. 249; February, 1991, Marcus Crouch, review of The Ghost of Tantony Pig, p. 33; August, 1993, review of Topher and the Time-Travelling Cat, p. 136; October, 1994, review of The Jessame Stories, p. 174; August, 1996, review of The Crow Haunting, pp. 157-158.
Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2004, review of Big Red Tub, p. 1203; July 15, 2005, review of Jack in a Box, p. 791; August 15, 2007, review of Class Two at the Zoo; March 15, 2013, review of Two Shy Pandas; July 1, 2015, review of Lovely Old Lion; November 1, 2023, review of Cheeky Chick!
Peterborough Evening Telegraph (Peterborough, England), September 28, 2006, “How Childhood Prank Sparked Writing Career.”
Publishers Weekly, January 17, 2005, review of Big Red Tub, p. 54; October 8, 2007, review of Class Two at the Zoo, p. 53.
School Librarian, September, 1986, Sue May, review of When Poppy Ran Away, pp. 250-253; February, 1991, Margaret Mallett, review of The Ghost of Tantony Pig, p. 23; May, 1993, Frances Ball, review of Topher and the Time-Travelling Cat, p. 61; November, 1994, Irene Babsky, review of The Jessame Stories, p. 151; November, 1997, Marie Imeson, review of More Jessame Stories, p. 192; fall, 1999, Sandra Bennett, review of Hangman, p. 99; summer, 2011, Rudolf Loewenstein, review of When Baby Lost Bunny, p. 92; summer, 2013, Angela Lepper, review of Make Friends, Break Friends, p. 102; spring, 2014, Anne Harding, review of A Friend in Need!, p. 41; summer, 2014, Carolyn Boyd, review of New Friend, Old Friends, p. 104.
School Library Journal, December, 2004, Julie Roach, review of Big Red Tub, p. 110; September, 2007, Gay Lynn Van Vleck, review of Class Two at the Zoo, p. 166; October, 2015, Maria B. Salvadore, review of Lovely Old Lion, p. 78; January, 2024, Yelena Voysey, review of Cheeky Chick, p. 49.
Writing, February, 2008, Anita Rowe, interview with Jarman.
ONLINE
David Higham Associates website, http://www.davidhigham.co.uk/ (March 1, 2009), “Julia Jarman.”
Julia Jarman website, https://juliajarman.com (April 28, 2024).
Lerner Books, https://lernerbooks.com/ (April 28, 2024), author profile.
Is that your real name?
I’m often asked, ‘Is Julia Jarman your real name?’
When I was born, a very big baby, I lay without a Christian name for three whole weeks.
My parents were so convinced I was going to be a boy – who they were going to call William – that they hadn’t even thought of a girl’s name.
Eventually I was named Julia after a character in a book my mum was reading. I wish I knew which book but my mum couldn’t remember.
When I started writing I wondered whether to use my maiden name, which was Julia Hudspeth, but decided to use my married name, Julia Jarman, because I like alliteration.
When were you born?
I was born on the 28th March 1946, just after The Second World War had ended.
My parents called me their peace-baby.
I am peace-loving and I try to be peaceful, though my star sign says I’m fiery Aries, a ram who’s always bumping into things. Don’t think I believe in astrology but I am rather clumsy.
Where do you live?
I live in a village north of Bedford, about sixty miles north of London, England. I bought my house because it was next door to a farm with pigs on it. I wanted my children to have a rural childhood – and I like pigs. They’re intelligent and friendly and much cleaner than most people think.
When the farm was sold to a builder, who destroyed it and built an enormous house on the land, I was upset and wrote a book called THE GHOST OF TANTONY PIG. It’s about a phantom pig who haunts the new house, but I really like the people who live there now.
Who do you live with?
For forty years I lived with Peter, my husband, who sadly died fourteen years ago, and our three children till they all grew up and left home.
Peter was my complete opposite but our different talents complemented each other and our marriage worked well. I’m fascinated by people. Peter loved machines of all kinds – his traction engine, his miniature steam locomotive, his Morgan sports car, his computer and mine. When it went wrong he could usually put it right. The photo here shows me driving his loco.
I live alone now, except for Penny my cat, but my grown-up children and my five grandchildren, who have inspired books like Big Red Bath and Kisses are Yuk, visit often and keep me up to date. They say my books are good but my roast dinners are excellent.
Fortunately, my son Sam is good with computers, just like his dad, and he visits me a lot. He has created this website and helps me keep it up to date.
Do You Have Any Pets?
Meet Penny!
I had been without a feline companion since the lovely Perdita died three summers ago. I didn’t think I’d ever find another cat with her sweet nature. But friends were more optimistic. I got a phone call. A home was needed urgently for Penny whose companion Ethel had sadly died. Would I go and meet her?
It was love at first sight. Within minutes Penny was on my knee purring. She didn’t much like the car ride back to mine, but as you can see she quickly made herself at home.
I like dogs too. I walk Teddy, a friend’s poodle every weekday, and I sometimes look after Daisy, my son’s Cocker Spaniel. She comes to stay with me when Sam is away working. Penny tolerates her.
Have You Written Any Series?
Yes! About a Time Travelling Cat!
This is a picture of me – a while ago! – with Oscar, also known as Mr Grey who inspired the series.
His real life exploits – he used to keep disappearing – made me think, ‘Where does he go?’ But Ka the cat in my stories is a composite of three cats who have owned me, Mr Grey, Mrs Ginger Bits and Ms Mitten. Ka has the best qualities of the three of them, and their colouring mixed together. I decided to make her female as Topher who finds her is a boy.
You can read about their Egyptian adventures in “The Time Travelling Cat and the Egyptian Goddess”, which is read a lot in schools. I get lots of letters from children saying how much they enjoy it and go on to the read the rest of the series,
Their second journey takes them to Elizabethan England, their third to Roman Britain. Their fourth to the time of the Aztecs and the fifth to Anglo-Saxon England when it was terrorised by Vikings. The sixth to Victorian times.
What do you like?
Pigs and plays- I love the theatre – cats and computers, food, books, wine and gardening. My garden is in the picture at the top of the page. The flower garden is semi-wild with lots of wild life. My vegetable beds are tidier.
I love growing food and cooking and eating it! I especially like trying out new recipes.
What did you like best as a child?
Reading – anywhere that I could find peace and quiet. I was the youngest of three children. We lived in a small house and I liked to find a secret place where no one would disturb me, up a tree or in the churchyard – or on the loo!
I loved going to the library – to find more books, sometimes twice a day, despite a ferocious librarian who used to turn me away because I went too often. Librarians are kinder now and much more fun! The grumpy librarian said I couldn’t take books out in the morning and return them in the afternoon, because I couldn’t read them so quickly. But I could and did!
I also adored staying with my Grandma, a brill cook, and being spoiled.
What did you hate most?
Washing up and tidying my bedroom. Boring!
What was your favourite book?
What was your favourite book when you were a child?
There were three at least. Ned the Lonely Donkey – a Ladybird book by Noel Barr.
Little Women (and all the sequels) by Louisa M Alcott. I became a writer because I wanted to be like Jo March in all these books. Jo March became a writer.
Bows Against the Barons – a brilliant book by Geoffrey Trease.
It’s about a boy who joins Robin Hood’s band of not-always merry men. I loved all Robin Hood stories. Fighting for a fairer world. He’s one of my heroes.
How did you become a writer?
First of all by reading and identifying with Jo March.
That sowed the seed of wanting to be a writer, and feeling I was one. But, like Jo again, I became a teacher first – after studying English and Drama at Manchester University, in my case.
Then I got married and had children. One day I told my daughter, Josie about something very naughty I’d done as a child and she said, “That’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever said in your whole life. You should write that down. You’ve always said you wanted to be a writer really.”
So I did – in WHEN POPPY RAN AWAY.
Through writing it I discovered my Writing Recipe.
Mix together Real Life and What If?
Julia Jarman
UK flag (b.1946)
Julia Jarman has written over 60 books for children. Born in 1946, Julia was brought up near Peterborough, and attended local schools. Her family had a small plot of land on which they kept chickens and pigs. They also had a dog, two cats, a succession of rabbits, and for a short time, a grass snake! Her pets have featured in her stories at some point. This little plot was important to Julia as she could escape there and read or just do nothing - essentials for a good imagination.
As a child she became a book worm and visited her local library on an almost daily basis. She started at one end of a shelf and read all the books until she reached the other end. Julia decided when she was 8 years old to become a children's writer, having read Little Women and the sequel Good Wives. The character in these books, Jo March, became a writer when she grew up and Julia wanted to be like her.
To begin with, Julia wrote to magazines, comics and newspapers and managed, at the age of 8, to have some work published.
On leaving school, Julia went to university to study English and Drama. She became a teacher to earn a living while developing her writing. During this stage she got married and had three children. Reading to her own children made her realise the importance of children's stories and underlined her determination to write.
Encouraged by her children, Julia started writing about people that were life like and exciting, and included some scary situations. Her philosophy is to take real life and add some 'what ifs' - and then anything can happen.
Julia still likes to read a lot but has to also make time for writing, which takes up about four days a week. She has little time for many hobbies as she also likes to visit schools one day a week to get feedback from children.
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy
New and upcoming books
April 2024
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Widows on the Wine Path
Series
Time-Travelling Cat
The Time Travelling Cat (1993)
A Test for the Time-travelling Cat (1997)
The Time-Travelling Cat and the Roman Eagle (2001)
The Time Travelling Cat and the Tudor Treasure (2001)
1. The Time-Travelling Cat and the Egyptian Goddess (2001)
The Time-travelling Cat and the Aztec Sacrifice (2006)
The Time-Travelling Cat and the Viking Terror (2008)
The Time-travelling Cat and the Great Victorian Stink (2010)
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Tales from Whispery Wood
Flying Friends (2002)
Mole's Useful Day (2002)
Owl's Big Mistake (2002)
Rabbit Helps Out (2003)
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Friends
1. Make Friends, Break Friends (2013)
2. A Friend in Need (2013)
3. New Friend Old Friends (2014)
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Novels
When Poppy Ran Away (1985)
Ollie and the Bogle (1987)
Poppy and the Vicarage Ghost (1988)
The Ghost of Tantony Pig (1990)
The Crow Haunting (1996)
Hangman (1999)
Ghost Writer (2002)
The Peace Weavers (2004)
Story Cat (2006)
Inside (2010)
Pillywiggins and the Tree Witch (2011)
Jenny Greenteeth (2012)
The Widows' Wine Club (2023)
Widows on the Wine Path (2024)
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Collections
The Jessame Stories (1994)
More Jessame Stories (1997)
Jessame to the Rescue (2008)
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Series contributed to
Chillers
The Haunting of Nadia (1997)
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Picture Books hide
Henry VIII Has to Choose (2009) (with Gary Northfield)
King Midas's Golden Touch (2009)
Little Tiger and the Lost Fire (2010)
Ants in Your Pants! (2010)
Bears on the Stairs (2010)
Little Bad Riding Hood (2010)
Big Red Bath (2011)
When Baby Lost Bunny (2011)
Cinderella (2011)
Big Yellow Digger (2011)
Harry the Clever Spider (2012)
Two Shy Pandas (2012)
Class Three All At Sea (2014)
Class Two at the Zoo (2014)
King Midas (Must Know Stories (2014)
The Best Kiss (2014)
Big Bouncy Bed (2014)
Jungle Grumble (2014)
The Magic Scooter (2014)
Lovely Old Lion (2015)
Kangaroo's Cancan Cafe (2015)
Class One Farmyard Fun (2017)
Fussy Freda (2017)
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Chapter Books hide
Squonk (1989)
Georgie and the Dragon (1991) (with Damon Burnard)
Nancy Pocket and the Kidnappers (1991)
Georgie and the Planet Raider (1993) (with Damon Burnard)
Gertie and the Bloop (1994)
The Return of Squonk (1995)
Georgie and the Computer Bugs (1995) (with Damon Burnard)
Little Mouse Grandma (1997)
Convict! (1997)
The Sewer Sleuth (1997)
The Revenge of Tommy Bones (2001)
Grandma's Seaside Bloomers (2007)
Tooth Fairy in Trouble (2008)
JULIA JARMAN
Photo by Jo Wilson
Born talking—allegedly—Julia Jarman loved telling stories from an early age. She loved reading them too, and read every kids’ book in the local library. Julia became a teacher of English and Drama, got married, had three kids and started writing for them. She has never stopped, and has books for everyone from tots to teens and in betweens.
INTERVIEW
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
What’s your favorite line from a book?
"‘Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,’ grumbled Jo."
—Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
I couldn’t possibly narrow down to three!
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I can’t stop telling stories.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Read, read, read! Write, write, write!
JARMAN, Julia. Cheelty Chick. illus. by Tom Knight. 32p. Boxer. Jan. 2024. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781914912306.
PreS-K--It might take a village to raise a child, but it takes a farmyard to raise a chick in this cute British import. Mother Hen warns her brood to stay close to home and to hide when the fox is near, but one "little chick [is] much too bold,/ Doesn't do what he's been told." He sets out for a solo stroll, to the great consternation of all farm animals who all caution the youngster--even the tractor beeps out a warning. When the chick inevitably encounters a fox, he barely gets away, making the pursuing beast trip into the pond. As the fox gets literally hung out to dry by the helpful livestock, the chick returns home and passes his new wisdom onto his youngest sibling. Knight's colorful cartoonish illustrations are hilariously expressive, whether they are conveying the fox's damp dismay or the chick's carefree attitude. Jarman's rhyming verses smoothly roll off the tongue, making for a fun read-aloud. VERDICT A sweet and silly adventure romp for the fans of other farm classics like Stoeke's Minerva Louise.--Yelena Voysey
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Voysey, Yelena. "JARMAN, Julia. Cheelty Chick." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 1, Jan. 2024, p. 49. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A778646531/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cc4da38e. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.\
Jarman, Julia CHEEKY CHICK! Boxer Books (Children's None) $18.99 1, 2 ISBN: 9781914912306
Fox meets his match with Cheeky Chick.
Rhyming text in a singsong cadence pairs with art reminiscent of Paul Galdone's style to tell this home-away-from-home farm story. Four of Mother Hen's little chicks heed her warning to "play near the hen-house" and to run away if Fox comes by, but the fifth, Cheeky Chick, replies, "Tosh!" and "Bosh!" before continuing to ignore Mother Hen and wandering far indeed. Other barnyard animals step up to act in loco parentis, warning Cheeky Chick of hazards and voicing concerns. He ignores them, however, and ultimately confronts Fox. Visual perspective zooms in at that point, with all background detail omitted as the focus is placed on a large, toothsome fox's face leering down at the tiny chick. On the following page, the layout is used to terrific effect as the perspective zooms out to an aerial view and shows a chase scene across four panels. Cheeky Chick scurries away, with Fox in hot pursuit, as they pass all the erstwhile helpers who tried and failed to warn the young chicken. Ultimately Fox gets his comeuppance when Cheeky Chick lives up to his name and leads Fox to a dunk in the pond before heading home under a duck's watchful eye.
Three cheers for this unlikely but intrepid hero. (Picture book. 2-5)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Jarman, Julia: CHEEKY CHICK!" Kirkus Reviews, 1 Nov. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A770738862/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=88e5d085. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
JARMAN, Julia. Lovely Old Lion. illus. by Susan Varley. 32p. ebook available. Andersen Pr. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781467793100.
K-Gr 3--Young Lenny loves his grandfather, King Lion, very much. But Lenny has noticed that his grandpa is beginning to change from his once proud, kind, and stately self to a tired, forgetful, and sometimes not-so-kind fellow. Lenny gains understanding with a little help from Hippo, who explains that as King Lion gets old, "bits of him are wearing out" and that his brain isn't working quite as well as it did and so he forgets things. Lenny's marble collection, a gift from Grandpa, lets King Lion recall some enjoyable experiences from his youth. Aging, however, is inevitable, as is growing up. Later, when Lenny becomes king, with his own son, he always remembers his grandfather. And he reminds the young animals "to be kind to their grandpas and grandmas, and to help them remember." Though purposeful, the gentle telling bypasses explicit death and the harsher parts of dealing with aging. Images, rendered by the illustrator of Badger's Parting Gift (HarperCollins, 1984), of the animal kingdom are equally gentle. VERDICT This title may be used as a complement to Mem Fox's Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (1985).--Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Salvadore, Maria B.
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Salvadore, Maria B. "Jarman, Julia. Lovely Old Lion." School Library Journal, vol. 61, no. 10, Oct. 2015, p. 78. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A431724798/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4c12b959. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia LOVELY OLD LION Andersen Press USA (Children's Picture Books) $17.99 9, 1 ISBN: 978-1-4677-9310-0
What happens when Grandpa can't remember? Lenny's grandfather is the king of the forest, but lately he's been forgetting things, like Lenny's name. Is there anything Lenny can do to help? Sweet, colorful pictures accompany this gentle story about dementia; those familiar with Varley's earlier books will find the pictures comfortingly familiar, and all will appreciate the warmth and appealing details present on each page. As they are introduced to the idea that King Lion is growing ever more confused, young readers and listeners are sure to sympathize with Lenny's efforts as he brings together neighbors and friends to remind his grandfather of his earlier years. Mentions of Grandpa's issues and behavior are straightforward yet general, leaving room for adults to provide additional information as needed, while the story's structure mirrors the cycle of life and provides supportive reminders about the inevitability of loss, change, growth, and age in an organic way. Most appropriate for a child coping with such a situation, this is a selection that explains the concept of memory loss well and will help develop compassion in all who read it.A supportive, honest, and needed explanation of Alzheimer's-type illnesses. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Jarman, Julia: LOVELY OLD LION." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2015. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A419698503/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4aead37d. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia
New Friend, Old Friends
Illustrated by Kate Pankhurst
Andersen, 2014, pp112, 4.99 [pounds sterling]
978 1 78344 004 7
Friendship is an important theme for all readers and KS2 children will once again enjoy following the highs and lows of Phoebe, Daisy and Erika's friendship. In this third book in the series, Shazia, from Pakistan is a new girl at school. Phoebe is chosen to be her new buddy, so why are Daisy and Erika interfering? Each girl's character is lightly conveyed and true to the character portraits at the beginning of the book. Shazia tries to fit in at the school disco, but as her plans go wrong, all her new friends work together to help her. Through this plot, the reader is introduced to aspects of Pakistani culture.
Each section of this early chapter book is the title of a day as the life of the girls unfolds over one month. The story is told by each of the characters --Phoebe, Daisy and Erika--until Shazia shares her own voice on the last pages. The character's name and passport photo styled pencil drawing clearly marks each section. Each character concerns is realistically conveyed and supported by humorous sketches by Kate Pankhurst. This is a wonderful series for early independent readers.
Boyd, Carolyn
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 The School Library Association
http://www.sla.org.uk/school-librarian.php
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Boyd, Carolyn. "Jarman, Julia: New Friend, Old Friends." School Librarian, vol. 62, no. 2, summer 2014, p. 104. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A376205521/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e76b107a. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia and Pankhurst, Kate
A Friend in Need!
Andersen, 2013, pp90, 4.99 [pounds sterling]
978 1 84939 576 2
Erika, Phoebe and Daisy are close friends, or have been. Now Phoebe and Daisy are increasingly concerned at Erika's lack of interest in them and their latest project. She seems to be fobbing them off, and they are hurt, confused and worried. The two of them respond in different ways, and get cross with each other. We read the thoughts of each of the three in turn. Gradually we realise that Erika is herself very worried, but doesn't want to let on to her friends that she is being bullied. She hates the thought that she will be pitied, and that they will blab and make her situation worse. She's convinced she must deal with the threatening texts she is receiving by herself. Phoebe and Daisy discover her secret, and do all in their power to help. They turn detective. When Erika's dog is kidnapped, the stakes get higher.
A Friend in Need is the sequel to Make Friends Break Friends, though it works as a stand-alone novel. The writing is very accessible, and there are lots of attractive illustrations by Kate Pankhurst. The multiple narration is an effective device, revealing the story in an interesting and entertaining way, and helping the reader understand the viewpoints of each of the friends. It will be popular with lots of girls of seven and over, who will all identify with at least one of its appealing characters. Like its predecessor, it offers a realistic take on the complexities of girls' friendships. The theme of bullying by text is well handled, and the book could be used to raise awareness and discussion about this important issue.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 The School Library Association
http://www.sla.org.uk/school-librarian.php
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Harding, Anne. "Jarman, Julia and Pankhurst, Kate: A Friend in Need!" School Librarian, vol. 62, no. 1, spring 2014, p. 41. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A367420266/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=93ca4fba. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia TWO SHY PANDAS Andersen Press USA (Children's Picture Books) $16.95 4, 1 ISBN: 978-1-4677-1141-8
When little ones are very timid, it can take some time to form a friendship. Panda lives at Number 1 Bamboo Gardens, right next door to Pandora at Number 2. He longs to say, "Please come over and play!" but for some reason, whenever he sees her, he runs away instead. Next door, Pandora isn't having much fun either. She can't seesaw by herself, and throwing a ball to nobody makes her sad. Then, one winter's day, it starts to snow. Panda rushes outside to make some snowballs, which he throws over the fence to Number 2. When Pandora doesn't respond, Panda gets worried. What if she feels poorly or has gone away? In truth, she's been inside the whole time, but she has the same worry about Panda. "Two very worried pandas / Wondered if they might / Be brave enough to go next door / And say, 'Are you all right?' " They open their doors to check, colliding midway. An instant bond is formed. Together Panda and Pandora build a snowman, bounce up and down on the seesaw, dance on their ice skates and read storybooks. Best of all, they promise to be friends "[f]orever and ever." Pandas make adorable stand-ins for little children, as Varley's friendly watercolor illustrations attest. Sweet tonic for skittish young listeners. (Picture book. 3-5)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Jarman, Julia: TWO SHY PANDAS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2013. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A322002719/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3e9fdd90. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia
Make Friends Break Friends
Illustrated by Kate Pankhurst
Andersen, 2013, pp86, 4.99 [pounds sterling]
978 1 84939 509 0
Daisy has two best friends who don't like each other; Erika is lively, popular and sporty, while Phoebe is quieter and enjoys art and craft, reading and drama club all shared with Daisy. Daisy is a 'buddy' at their school and has to help kids who are upset, so she decides on a plan to get 'Pheeble' Phoebe and Erika to like each other. The story is told by each of the three protagonists in turn, so the reader knows how each girl is feeling as Daisy's plan unravels--hurt, anger, humiliation and jealousy.
Then Erika also joins drama club held in an isolated, spooky old mill where the wind moans in the trees beside a haunted pond. One dark night when no-one arrives to collect them, the three girls are very frightened and decide to walk to the main road. But Erika trips and hurts her ankle badly and it is Phoebe who knows what to do....
A satisfactory conclusion to a realistic tale which is enlivened by Kate Pankhurst's humorous drawings with really good facial expressions. My 8-year-old tester loved the book cover designed by the illustrator with hearts above, and tears below, pictures of the girls.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 The School Library Association
http://www.sla.org.uk/school-librarian.php
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Lepper, Angela. "Jarman, Julia: Make Friends Break Friends." School Librarian, vol. 61, no. 2, summer 2013, pp. 102+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A336603896/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=252e0ee9. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Jarman, Julia and Reynolds, Adrian
When Baby Lost Bunny
Orchard, 2011, pp32, 10.99 [pounds sterling]
978 1 84616 061 5
The family are enjoying a walk on a lovely sunny day. Baby manages to lose bunny, but nobody seems to understand him. So he tries to tell everyone what has gone wrong. And as each person recognizes their names, they respond with delight to Baby. Humans are no good, so Baby then tries calling out to the animals, who (alas) are just as bad as the humans! At which point Baby does what any other Baby would do and cries. No-one knows why Baby is crying until his brother not only listens to Baby but looks at him too ... and within minutes has solved the problem. Suitable not only for the very young, but also the early years children, this book will delight not only children learning about animals and their sounds but also anyone who has ever had a younger sibling lose something or be upset for no apparent reason. A welcome addition to the bookshelf.
Rudolf Loewenstein OP
Loewenstein, Rudolf
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 The School Library Association
http://www.sla.org.uk/school-librarian.php
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Loewenstein, Rudolf. "Jarman, Julia and Reynolds, Adrian: When Baby Lost Bunny." School Librarian, vol. 59, no. 2, summer 2011, p. 92. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A259379622/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5c115c11. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.