Nen and the Lonely Fisherman

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The illustrations beautiful and the inclusion of the environmental issues with the sea adds another layer to the tale. We felt this special moment really deserved a close-up of their faces to capture the love between them.

When asking one class what they had noticed about the book that was different to many they had read one response was ‘well if they are gay then they might be falling in love. Eagleton’s words are coupled with the beautiful illustrations of James Mayhew, which broaden the traditional love story mould, and introduce the book’s younger audience to same-sex relationships. Teachers are excellent at delivering lessons at an age-appropriate level too – it is their job after all and they are experienced, knowledgeable professionals.However, Nen knows that there is something special about Ernest, who is kind, gentle and considerate, and the pair continue to meet each night, to talk, laugh and dream. I am a mother to a 15 year old bi-sexual boy and while he has never struggled with his identity, I am sure that many children do, even those who are quite young. If you’d like to know more about the story of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman then listen to Ian Eagleton reading the story below. A simple way for them to identify and relate to a range of emotions, using the book to engage in that learning. The match feels pre-destined: both Nen and Ernest are kind and caring but lonely, looking for their soulmate.

I thought that the story featured much-needed diverse representations with male characters at the forefront of a deeply emotional story which is rare to find. Ian has taught in primary schools for 13 years and during this time has been a member of the senior management team, a phase leader, and literacy co-ordinator. Focusing on the challenges children face today and packaging these big issues into inclusive and accessible stories for small readers to digest and discuss with friends, families and schools. His power is infinite, it seems… Or might it be that Ernest, is somehow different and Nen will do anything to rescue his fisherman?

Owlet believe that it is key for young readers of colour to see children like them (and for white, non-disabled children to see children that don't always look like them) in books experiencing the joy and magic of playful, imaginative stories - a belief that we share at Babipur. When Julian spots three women in lavish mermaid costumes, it fires his imagination and all he can think about is becoming a mermaid himself – with a little help from his nana’s soft furnishings.

I was completely in awe watching James Mayhew’s video on how to draw a Merman including how he makes those gorgeous sea images. As well as the beautiful illustrations it has a rural setting by UK author, a love story not based around coming out and characters above college age so in some ways more relatable than much of the adult lgbtqia+ inclusive fiction I've read. That is until he meets Ernest, a fisherman who devotes his life to 'rescuing, freeing, collecting, dreaming . Nen’s father has warned him not to go to the land where the humans are destroying his ocean, but Nen goes anyway. Spelling Seeds have been designed to complement Writing Roots by providing weekly, contextualised sequences of sessions for the teaching of spelling that include open-ended investigations and opportunities to practise and apply within meaningful and purposeful contexts, linked (where relevant) to other areas of the curriculum and a suggestion of how to extend the investigation into home learning.James Mayhew, the illustrator, felt that we would have no concerns or worries about showing a prince and a mermaid holding hands. This might make Nen sound like a book that preaches to its audience but Eagleton's prose succeeds in saying these things without ever resorting to moralistic posturing. As a kid who was growing up confused about his identify and sexuality, I so wish I had had access to diverse and inclusive stories. There aren’t loads of children’s books around that feature two men falling in love so we are pushing for this to make its way onto school bookshelves to diversify the stories they’re told and show children that love is love.