JUNO Book Club

An essential read for pregnant women to know their rights

An essential read for pregnant women to know th...

I qualified as a midwife in 1972 and have worked for the NHS in both hospital and community. “Am I allowed?” was a question I have been asked countless times. How I wish I’d had a book such as this in my little black bag! Gone are the days when women simply accepted and complied with tests and treatments being provided under the banner of ‘care’. They are now, thankfully, questioning more and more, with a wish to take control of their confinement and birth. A woman should not be made to feel part of a conveyor-belt system, but should be treated as an individual who is also protecting the rights of her unborn child. Beverley Beech has years of experience campaigning on the rights of mothers during pregnancy and birth. I am sure she has been a thorn in the side of both the Royal College of Midwives and...

An essential read for pregnant women to know their rights

I qualified as a midwife in 1972 and have worked for the NHS in both hospital and community. “Am I allowed?” was a question I have been asked countless times....

Four powerful and inspiring books for young readers

Four powerful and inspiring books for young rea...

The Lost Whale By Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold, HarperCollins Children’s Books Hannah Gold taps into something elemental in her new book, The Lost Whale. The protagonist, Rio, is sent to stay with his grandma in California while his mother is in hospital, receiving help after a long period of mental ill health. Rio has spent much of his childhood caring for her, and he feels the weight of her recovery on his shoulders. While in California where his mother grew up, he learns of her love of whales, whose migratory path takes them down the west coast each year. One whale in particular was once special to his mother: White Beak. When Rio comes face to face with White Beak, he feels a powerful connection to her, and to his mum. When White Beak runs into danger, Rio believes that by saving her, he can also save his mum....

Four powerful and inspiring books for young readers

The Lost Whale By Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold, HarperCollins Children’s Books Hannah Gold taps into something elemental in her new book, The Lost Whale. The protagonist, Rio, is sent...

Summer Reads: eight beautiful and thoughtful books for children

Summer Reads: eight beautiful and thoughtful bo...

We’ve reviewed a range of 8 beautiful books for children, perfect for summer reading. Suitable for a range of ages. Just Like Grandpa Jazz By Tarah L. Gear, illustrated by Mirna Imamović, Owlet Press Grandpa Jazz is a master storyteller. But his grandson, Frank, is not always sure which stories are made up and which are true. Did he really fall into a volcano? Did his dog actually stand guard over him while his mother washed clothes in the river? We discover Grandpa Jazz came to the UK as a young man to work in the NHS, and when Frank learns he was treated differently to the white passengers on the journey over, he feels sad. “If I’d been with him on that ship, we wouldn’t have been together,” he says. Grandpa Jazz is getting ready to return to Mauritius for a holiday, and Frank sees his own suitcase in the boot next to...

Summer Reads: eight beautiful and thoughtful books for children

We’ve reviewed a range of 8 beautiful books for children, perfect for summer reading. Suitable for a range of ages. Just Like Grandpa Jazz By Tarah L. Gear, illustrated by...