Hailing All Heroes!!

This National Non-Fiction November the FCBG are running with the theme Heroes. There will be author blog spots, activities, a book list and three exciting competitions.

National Non-Fiction November is Federation of Children’s Book Groups celebration of all things factual! With fake news and misinformation on the rise facts have never been more important!

The idea for this year’s theme heroes came to us off the back of last 18 months and the Covid pandemic, during which ordinary people have done extraordinary things to keep us safe, and continue to do so. From scientists to supermarket workers, doctors to delivery drivers, footballers to food bank volunteers.

We wanted to celebrate all of these present-day heroes as well as shining a light on heroes in history.

And not all heroes are human, so we give a nod to those animals out there that have done amazing things too from Balto the husky who helped save the lives of children to Koko the gorilla who learned to speak in sign language.

Reading non-fiction is a great way for children to learn about heroes throughout history, to help them understand the world around them and guide them towards becoming heroes that make a positive difference in the future.

Some top picks from the book list include:

All Through the Night: The People Who Work While We Sleep by Polly Faber and Harriet Hobday, published by Nosy Crow is a beautifully illustrated book about the people who do important jobs during the night.

Protest! How People Have Come Together to Change the World by Alice and Emily Haworth-Booth which instead of focusing on individual heroes looks at groups of heroes who form movements that change the world.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes by Ben Brookes, published by Wren & Rook, reminds us that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and how small acts of kindness can make big difference to the other people’s lives.

Wild Lives: 50 Extraordinary Animals That Made History by Ben Lerwill and Sarah Walsh, published by Nosy Crow full of brave animals who have fearlessly faced challenges and deserve to be remembered.

Marcus Rashford: You Are a Champion by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka, published by Macmillan is a super guide to how you can be a super hero.

Black and British by David Olusoga, published by Macmillan, goes back in time and recognises and celebrates key Black British heroes in history who have been forgotten or simply omitted.

Health Heroes: The People Who Took Care of the World by Emily Sharratt, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK, which is full of true stories of healthcare workers, past and present from Florence Nightingale to Alexander Fleming as well a health heroes who are helping us today.

Great Britons: 50 Amazing People Who Have Called Britain Home by Imogen Russell Williams and Sara Mulvanny, published by Nosy Crow features the lives of some inspirational people who were born in Britain or arrived on its shores.

So, for the next month get involved with FCBG’s National Non-Fiction November. Visit www.fcbg.org.uk and read our recommendations, have a go at the activities, read author blogs, enter our competitions and follow us on Twitter for #Factoftheday and great giveaways.