About 10 per cent of children have some kind of food allergy, often associated with such conditions as eczema, asthma and migraine. The effects can sometimes be fatal, so The Allergy Aware Schools Catering Manual is a more than useful resource. The 72-page book explains what food intolerances are and classifies items from albumin to yogurt that can be involved. Sensible advice on menu design and kitchen hygiene is supplemented by 30 nutritious recipes. These include gluten and wheat-free spaghetti bolognese, nut-free veggie burgers and egg-free cakes. The manual is pound;9.99 from Berrydales Books.
www.schoolscateringmanual.com
Chicken in the equation
The World of Mathematics Revision (Ages 11-12) is part of a series which extends over each year in key stages 2 and 3 and includes books on English, science, French, history and geography. Little stories featuring the eccentric inventor Sir Ralph Witherbottom and his inquisitive teenage daughter Izzy provide the context for many investigations. Working out how long it takes to cook a chicken requires equations; wrapping presents leads to an exploration of cube and cuboid nets; and symmetry arises in a puzzle about crop circles. The book is pound;4.99.
www.letts-education.com
Homes fit for pigs
Start-up Design and Technology is a series for KS1 pupils which uses familiar settings to inspire a range of activities. Houses and Homes invites children to look at how differently shaped dwellings can incorporate similar features such as kitchens and bathrooms, as well as suggesting designs to make the Three Pigs feel comfortable. Eating Fruit and Vegetables examines the packaging made by nature (skins and peels) as well as by humans, and includes a recipe for fruit kebabs. Making Puppets brings shadows, string and computer-aided drawings into play. The books are pound;10.99 each.
www.evansbooks.co.uk
Laws and limericks
Pupils confronted with exams and with anxious parents might like to get hold of The Practical Guide to Revision Techniques. Each of its 35 methods is first outlined and then exemplified in a practical application. Sometimes the technique is personalised - turning Newton’s Laws into a set of limericks or devising comically memorable acronyms.
Others involve working with friends, challenging one another to describe diagrams. The methods incorporate a variety of learning styles, but Start Early and Don’t Lose Sleep are sensible advice for everyone. pound;4.95 from Network Educational Press, discounts on large orders.
www.networkpress.co.uk
