They will then read the next part of the story and will look for other effective similes used by the author. Throughout, they will learn to explain why particular similes were chosen by the author and will be encouraged to suggest their own alternatives. They will then, through writing in role as Tashi, use similes of their own to describe this part of the story. At the end of the lesson, your Year 4 class will return to the description in the book of the Overseer and will identify the metahor used. They will then see if they can develop their own metaphors to describe this character. I think that the book could be used in a variety of ways within the classroom environment. It could be contained within the classroom book corner for the children to access on an independent basis but it may also be explored as a key literacy text. A cross curricular approach could be used in which children could write a daily diary entry perhaps from the perspective of Tashi with a focus on her feelings and emotions during the story. This would therefore not only be a literacy focus but would also relate to PSHE. The teacher would then be able to explore feelings and emotions with their class perhaps through a discussion initially with their peers and then through a whole class approach. For some of the learners to be extended during this activity they may be encouraged to tell the story from an additional characters perspective. Life: An Exploded Diagram (2011), a semi-autobiographical novel, was his last book for young readers. [9] [15] Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing - Cloud Tea Monkeys (90-slide editable PowerPoint with 20 worksheets) is an engaging English teaching resource for KS2/3 based on the book by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. The resource covers a range of Reading and Writing skills and is detailed and progressive.

Perfect for those looking for a scary Halloween tale that won’t leave them with more fears than they started with. Pair with Dr. Seuss’ tale of animate, empty pants. Vividly descriptive language transports us to an unfamiliar life and environment, imbued with a heady magic and yet tempered with the harsh realities of wresting a living from the land.” Cloud Tea Monkeys is a book which explores the story of a young girl named Tashi. She lives with her family in a small village next to the Himalayan Mountains and the tea plantations. When her mother falls ill she is unable to continue to work on the tea plantations. This is when Tashi realises that she must step in to help support her family financially and pay for her mother to seek medical attention. However, this doesn’t go to plan as a cruel overseer refuses to allow her to work on the tea plantations. Tashi is left feeling extremely alone, upset and isolated but to her surprise something amazing happens! develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by: discussing words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imaginationunderstand what they read, in books they can read independently, by: predicting what might happen from details stated and implied Susan Tranter wrote that "Mal Peet's work is notable for its refusal to submit to categories – the constraints which label what a book should be about, and who it should appeal to. His books to date prove that successful literature for young readers doesn't have to be didactic, or have overtly youthful themes, or even centre on young characters. It is the quality of the writing which is, ultimately, the most important thing." Peet says he is skeptical of books written specifically for teenagers, saying they are prone to condescension. [6] develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by: listening to and discussing a wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks The quality of the book itself is great with very detailed and picturesque scenery that would impress any primary aged child. Then, children will read the first part of the book and will be asked to visualise the setting described in their heads. They will identify descriptive sentences and phrases within the text and will classify them using the five senses. At the end of the lesson, children will be shown statements about the story so far. They will position themselves on an imaginary line to show how much they either agree or disagree with each one. Children will be asked to justify their reasoning.

One aspect that really shone out to me was the link between humans and nature, via the use of the monkeys. As Tashi respected the monkeys and was generous she reaped the rewards as they then looked after her, so this can bring about an element of Geography with looking after nature and also allow children to discover where and how foods they buy in the supermarket get there. I personally am a big fan of Asia and that part of the world and this book captivated me and I am sure would do the same for children if read out loud with the pictures being shown to them. Beautiful though Juan Wijngaard’s vibrant illustrations are, Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham tell the story of Cloud Tea Monkeys so vividly that it could stand on its own.” This book is absolutely superb. The unique story line captures a number of important themes in economics, including the vulnerability of the working poor and the incidence of child labor in developing countries. Stunning illustrations further add to the richness of Cloud Tea Monkeys, making this book as much of a treasure as the tea described within.”

Home). The Branford Boase Award and Henrietta Branford Writing Competition (branfordboaseaward.org.uk) ( BBA and HBWC). Retrieved 2014-07-01.

Peet himself stated, "I see genres as generating sets of rules or conventions that are only interesting when they are subverted or used to disguise the author’s intent. My own way of doing this is to attempt a sort of whimsical alchemy, whereby seemingly incompatible genres are brought into unlikely partnerships." [9] understand what they read, in books they can read independently, by: drawing inferences such as inferring characters’ feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence Lccn 2009011868 Ocr_converted abbyy-to-hocr 1.1.20 Ocr_module_version 0.0.17 Openlibrary OL23202365M Openlibrary_edition In these days of a post-modern approach to many illustrated books, it can be refreshing to see a return to a more traditional approach, with a rich use of patterned language and painstaking care taken with illustrations that both support and extend the written text. Such a style is that which we enjoy in Cloud Tea Monkeys.” In my opinion, the characters and the illustrations (in particular the facial expressions) really capture your attention. I went on to discuss this with colleagues and we decided that this could form the basis of cross curricular literacy lessons for at least a week and maybe even for a half term for Years 5 or 6.A story inspired by Chinese legends comes to luminous life in the hands of Carnegie Medal–winner Peet ( Tamar); his wife, Graham; and Greenaway Medalist Wijngaard ( Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady). The authors’ richly descriptive tone sets the stage: “The sun had not yet found a way through the mountains, but it was coming; a light the color of lemons was soaking into the sky and painting out the stars.”’ This is a remarkable story of inspiration and dedication. It shows how you can achieve something if you truly believe you can do it. In some way or another, you will achieve it.