Close-up of a sign with the words 'From Literature' and 'Fern' visible, printed on a dark background.
A blue book cover titled 'Big Ideas from Literature' with yellow illustrations of a candle, book, feather, quill, ink bottle, ribbon, and stars, and the subtitle 'How Books Can Change Your World'. 
Author: The School of Life
Illustrator: Anna Doherty
Publisher: School of Life
Published: March 2024
ISBN: 9781915087485
Number of pages: 176
Format: Hardback
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Introducing children to books through the ages, showing how they can develop both empathy and resilience through exploring the stories they tell.

From an early age, we tend to be told that books matter, but very rarely are we properly allowed to examine why – and therefore we can miss out on a genuine engagement with books. Big Ideas from Literature dares to ask the obvious but crucial questions about the whole business of reading: What is reading really for? What are stories trying to do for us? Why should we care?

This book teaches children (and adults!) about the history of literature, from the first ever story that was written down to the invention of books just for children. The best children’s books become our dearest friends and companions. Children discover characters from a diverse range of books – including J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe – and learn how these stories can help them better understand the world around them.

Two girls are sitting on a bed, having a conversation. One girl has her hands on her lap, and the other girl is writing in a notebook. The room features pictures on the wall, a lamp casting light, and a poster that reads, 'No Zelf Jam maken met Opeka.'
An illustration of an ancient Egyptian scene with a figure with a jackal head, wearing green and yellow clothing, holding a scale, and standing in front of a woman with long black hair, wearing a striped dress, inside a decorated room.
Children exploring a library with filled bookshelves, paper stacks, and ladders under warm lighting. Sign reads 'LITERATURE AND FEELINGS'.
Illustration of two children, a girl with long curly hair and a girl with short curly hair, standing in a dark, blue forest surrounded by clouds and leaves. The girl with long hair is looking up at a fairy with orange wings, wearing an orange dress with leaf patterns, who is reaching out with an outstretched arm holding a small object. The scene has a magical, whimsical atmosphere.
A woman with short curly hair and striped pajamas is holding a sword and a black bag, standing with one foot on a wooden box, in a cozy attic room with snow falling outside the window. Three children are sitting on the floor and chair, looking at her. The room is decorated with hanging candles, drying herbs, and a curtain, creating a magical scene.
Open children's books and a hardcover book titled "Big Ideas from Literature" on a white background.
Illustration of two red dragons lying on a bed of gold coins and treasure, with a palace wall and starry sky in the background. The left page contains text about J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit.'