Jake in the Middle
The first in a funny and lively new chapter book series – Maple Street.
Written for first readers, about a Black British extended family – Jake, older sister Ellie, little brother Sam, Mum, Dad and Grandad, all living in Maple Street. Jake in the Middle has four delightful interlinked stories about home and school life – Shoes, Shoes, Shoes! where naughty Sam runs off with Jake’s new trainers; Catch of the Day, where a favourite toy falls into the pigsty at the city farm; The Class Museum, featuring a special fossil Jake ‘borrowed’ from Ellie’s bedroom; and All Fall Down, where Grandpa displays his amazing cricket skills.
Michael Catchpool is an ex-headteacher, now an education consultant, and the author of several picture books. He has a Ph.D for his research on children's engagement with peer feedback and its effect on them as writers. He is also co-author of several resource books for primary schools. He lives in Cambridgeshire.
Shanarama is a new illustrator, living in London. Jake in the Middle is the first story book she has illustrated. With a background in architecture, film and TV, she is adept in a variety of genres. She uses both traditional and digital methods, often combining the two.