Nen and the Lonely Fisherman

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Firstly, and most importantly, joy and wonder and that cosiness when you cuddle up with an adult and share a book is magic. I hope children will love seeing Nen and Ernest’s relationship grow and develop. That it might make some subtle suggestions about how we can look after our oceans and each other. The best thing is when children create artwork and their own stories inspired by your book. I’m looking forward to reading children’s own modern fairy tales and seeing all their mermaid artwork! Both imagery and text intertwine effortlessly to tell the tale of Nen and Ernest. The illustrator’s brush strokes in the paint bringing to life the author’s words – Nen fought through the churning, lashing tempest. While on supply I was also able to link it to other expressive arts, using drama techniques and roleplay to delve deeper in to the characters through hot-seating and using freeze frames to discuss aspects of the story. These tied closely to discussions around identity, health and wellbeing, as well as child-parent relationships. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to share this thought-provoking and magical book with a number of classes across a range of primary year groups recently. It is remarkably versatile and offers options to engage and link to many curriculum areas, as well as provide the opening for rich discussions on a range of topics.

Every so often a book comes along that makes you go – wow. Nen and the Lonely Fisherman is one of these books. If you haven’t already discovered the independent publisher Owlet Press they are certainly one to watch, some truly incredible books already published and more to come.... This three-week Writing Root begins with a treasure chest of mysterious objects which children explore and discuss to support them in making predictions about the story. The sequence of learning continues by exploring the text through a range of tasks which include reading skills, book talk, explicit grammar teaching in context, vocabulary building and shorter written outcomes. Children will make predictions and explore the themes of the text, before developing their understanding of the characters to support them to write a character description in the form of a lonely-hearts advert. They will infer characters’ thoughts and feelings through freeze-framing, thought bubbles and diary entries. Children will also develop their literary bank by exploring how to use language to change atmosphere and create deeper imagery through the use of different descriptive literary techniques. Finally, they will finish by writing their own version of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, with twists to the original plot and characters and making comparisons to the traditional tale The Little Mermaid. Synopsis of Text:I’d also recommend getting in touch with A New Chapter, which is a new online bookshop. They are able to curate sets of books for you relating to the themes you are exploring with your class and are very reasonable. Nen's father Pelagios is furious. He doesn't want his son mixing with the people who were destroying his oceans. He causes a terrible tempest, during which Ernest's little boat is capsized and Ernest falls into the tumultuous waves of the sea.

With the help of her loving Nan, and her Uncle Tony and his husband Sebastian, Violet learns to face her fears and turn her whisper into a roar! It’s illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi and published by Lantana. This is a nice story about lots of things – friendship, love, hope and caring for our world and the people in it. It reminds me of a fairytale but with some modern ideas mixed in. I am a mother to a 15 year old bi-sexual boy and while he has never struggled with his identity, I am sure that many children do, even those who are quite young. Many picture books still only portray 'traditional' relationships, so any story that can help these children see or understand themselves better is OK by me, especially when it is as lovely as this one.

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It's so important that little ones grow up and see their type of family set-up reflected in the books you share with them. Here's a list of our favourite children's books that show – and celebrate – diverse families.Perfect for babies all the way up to aged five. It’s another Bookwagon day in our house. The kids were so excited to get their latest books in the post. While providing music cover to a number of classes I have made use of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman to provide opportunities for pupils to work in groups to create soundscapes that reflected different scenes in the book, drawing on the emotions of the characters and the clues in James captivating illustrations.

Oh, so many! It’s probably best to ask what’s my favourite book right now, as it changes all the time. I love reading crime thrillers – a passion I think I’ve got from my mum. In terms of children’s picture books I love Dapo Adeola, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, David Litchfield and the Fan Brothers. I’m a huge fan of Jessica Love and ‘Julian is a Mermaid’, which made me gasp! I also love Abi Elphinstone, Ross Montgomery, Louis Stowell, Sophie Anderson, so I try and read a children’s book every week! Today we welcome Clare Campbell, the headteacher at St Charles RC Primary School, to talk about how she has been using NEN AND THE LONELY FISHERMAN in her school! The story is about a lonely merman called Nen. He loves exploring his world under the sea but he wants to find a special friend. Finally, while visiting the water’s surface he meets Ernest, the fisherman. They like each other instantly but Nen’s father isn’t happy about it. He blames human’s for destroying the seas. Nen is a Merman, who spends his days exploring the ocean and all the treasures beneath the waves. He is happy but also missing something important from his life - companionship. That is until he meets Ernest, a fisherman who devotes his life to 'rescuing, freeing, collecting, dreaming ... and creating!'. The match feels pre-destined: both Nen and Ernest are kind and caring but lonely, looking for their soulmate.

Merman Nen loves to explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, but his heart feels empty. Each night, he sings to the sea and his words of hope are carried across the waves by the twinkling stars. Far out to sea and deep below the whispering waves lives a merman called Nen. Nen spends his days exploring his underwater kingdom, but something is missing: his heart is empty. So, Nen ventures to the forbidden world above and it is here that he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman. But can two people from different worlds be together and what will happen when a terrifying storm gathers? A lyrical, beautiful celebration of love, acceptance and faith, with a gentle message about how we treat our oceans, and each other. Ian Eagleton’s lyrical LGBTQ+ tale is gently inspired by The Little Mermaid, and creates a modern piece of inclusive folk lore that belongs in every school. Beautifully published by Owlet Press. Thereafter, where might their secretive laughter, talking and dreaming lead? Is it possible that Nan’s father’s rage at his son might damage everything that Nen and the Lonely Fisherman are building? His power is infinite, it seems… Or might it be that Ernest, is somehow different and Nen will do anything to rescue his fisherman? Bookshops, libraries and the local farm shop are the highlight of our week, well alongside reading copious amounts of books snuggled together wherever we go. TRAILBLAZER – Nen and the Lonely Fisherman