The Skeleton in the Cupboard: and other stories – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: mystical, mysterious, imaginary, fairy tales.
Children’s book title: The Skeleton in the Cupboard: and other stories.
Children’s author: Lilija Berzinska.
Genre: Children’s short stories.
Published by: The Emma Press.
ISBN: 9781915628206.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback September 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: inspiring children’s imaginations.
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Our review:
The Skeleton in the Cupboard: and Other Stories by Lilija Berzinska is a collection of mystical, surreal fairy tales that follow mysterious, wild, and imaginary adventures with characters like Squishbod and Spendthrift, to name but a few.
The fairy-tale scenes are set on sandy beaches and in wild forests across northern Europe. It is a beautifully written, dreamlike storybook that I would recommend for Key Stage 2 children.
The scenery, along with the changing seasons and weather, is interwoven throughout the stories, making them incredibly captivating. The tales begin with the sea wolf and the hare and their developing friendship, and then move on to the charming, magical being Squishbod and his skeleton.
Our verdict:
The tales from The Skeleton in the Cupboard create a pleasant and positive atmosphere where nature and creativity flourish. This book is an excellent teaching tool for Key Stage 2 teachers looking to introduce a wide range of European and traditional tales. Each story offers a lesson on camaraderie, truth, and wisdom.
For any teacher wanting to broaden their offerings to young readers and present short stories that spark meaningful debate, these tales are a fantastic resource to inspire children’s imaginations.
Many thanks to The Emma Press for the review copy.
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