Lockdown Looms: Reggie's Birthday Party (One)

Product Information

A tale with the interwoven themes of reliance and kindness, Banji Alexander has written a book that can be enjoyed by all members of the family. Alexander also talked about how he would try to incorporate the struggles his students were going through into the book. I have been a blogger for a few years now and I love to be able to read and review books for you all to look at. This book was like therapy to me because some of the themes in the story are hope, determination, adapting to change, kindness, and these were skills and qualities that I wanted my pupils to gain, but they were also qualities I had to remind myself that I was capable of tuning into during that very difficult time for myself and my family.

It was a way to let students know someone was hearing their problems and letting them know they weren’t the only ones going through challenges. With his eighth birthday just around the corner, the very thought of having to celebrate his special day during lockdown sends poor Reggie into a meltdown. Alexander says, “I think more personally to me for what I've taken away from writing the book is that anything is possible because writing this book has changed my life completely. A story that everyone can relate to, Alexander’s mastery of the English language and rich vocabulary, coupled with colourful illustrations on every page, brings the story to life, leaving all readers, regardless of age, captivated and totally absorbed.

Lockdown Looms: Reggie's Birthday Party is the first in the series written by author (and primary school teacher), Banji Alexander. Along with receiving praise from the media, Alexander also received a letter from the Mayor of London praising him for the work he did with his students during the pandemic.

The Lockdown Looms: Reggie’s Birthday Party helps to give tweens insight into life in the pandemic and the thoughts and feelings of someone of a similar age. Children may not want to talk much about how they are feeling but books like this can offer so much guidance and show that they are not alone with how they are feeling which is really important. A tale with the interwoven themes of resilience and kindness, Banji Alexander has written a book which can be enjoyed by all members of the family.I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the Lockdown Looms series and I think every primary library/classroom needs a copy of this book to support young children with the after-effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The lockdown was one of those uncertain times for us all, with both adults and children having to attempt to make sense of the changing world around them.