Shirley Hughes.

A book for every occasion.

This one is perfect for this week as we mark Armistice Day and begin to think about Anti Bullying Week next week.

The Lion and The Unicorn is a beautiful book about a little boy whose father goes away to fight in the Second World War. His father leaves him a badge with a lion and a unicorn. A unicorn for courage and a lion for bravery.

The story follows the little boy, Lenny, as he is evacuated. He is frightened and has to be brave. He lives in a large house with three other evacuees, one of whom is not very nice to Lenny. Lenny misses home and his parents terribly, he is bullied by the children at the local school and he has nightmares and wets the bed. He finds safety and comfort in a walled garden with a unicorn statue. He finds a friend in a war hero. The garden, the unicorn and secret garden help Lenny find his courage and his bravery.

This is a story of friendship, bravery and a little bit of magic. Written and illustrated as only Shirley Hughes can.

This is a must have book for key stage 2 classrooms and home libraries. It can be used to start conversations around evacuation, the blitz, the home front and how children are affected by war. It also touches on bullying and kindness and what it means to be brave.

A classic Shirley Hughes. A book written from the heart, written with heart, a book that will be important forever.

Thank you Shirley Hughes.