Edward Cole understood that books encouraged community. The businessman could rub shoulders with the tramp in his Arcade. Now, in an age of division and isolation, more than ever we need spaces which facilitate community; light-filled cathedrals dedicated to the love of knowledge and stories, and their power to cross borders, politically, ideologically and culturally. By Cherie Gilmour
From parrots to protest: the best books of 2020 for younger readers
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From parrots to protest: the best books of 2020 for younger readers
By Frances Atkinson
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Books have always been sources of consolation, distraction and inspiration, and in a wildly unpredictable year, these outstanding titles have provided children – and their adults – with a much-needed escape-hatch from reality.
Building community, one biscuit at a time, a bus load of people careering towards their destinies, a witch falling in love, a bird restoring a bond between a father and son – the characters in these stories are tested in profound and exciting ways and emerge forged by the experience.