Animalcolm by David Baddiel

During the Autumn term of 2017, Year 6 children from 7 primary schools in Shropshire were tasked with reading a long-list of 55 books that were submitted by leading publishers, as part of Shrewsbury Bookfest’s Big Book Award 2018 project.

This book, suitable for children aged between 9 and 11, was enthusiastically put forward by pupils from Much Wenlock Primary School as a hot contender for the shortlist.  It was highly recommended by the children and so we thought we’d share this valuable information with you:

About the Book:

Malcolm doesn’t like animals.  Which is a problem because his family loves them. Their house is full of pets.

The only bright spot on the horizon is the Year Six school trip, which Malcolm never thought his parents would pay for. And yet there he is, on the bus, heading to oh no. A farm.

Over the next days, Malcolm changes. He learns a lot about animals. He learns what it’s really like to be an animal.  It does make him think differently. And speak differently. And eat differently. And, um, smell differently. But will he end up the same as before?

Because sometimes the hardest thing to become is yourself.

The pupils from Much Wenlock Primary School commented:

• It gets you hooked from the start.  It is unique.
• The author puts you in the feet of the animals.
• This would appeal to young and old.