I Can Do That Too
Britta Teckentrup
Prestel

The delightful Hedgehog duo return in a new story.
Eager to do everything Big Hedgehog does, Little Hedgehog enthusiastically helps gather all the fallen leaves. Having collected a huge pile there’s just one leaf remaining and that’s on a high branch of a tree. Unable to reach it by leaping, Big Hedgehog decides to climb up the trunk. “I can do that too!” cries Little Hedgehog. However Big Hedgehog is back on the ground with the leaf by the time Little Hedgehog reaches the top branch. Thereon is a ladybird and of course Little Hedgehog unable to resist copying the insect’s actions launches itself skywards.

This is only the first of the animal actions Little Hedgehog tries and before long a whole host of animal friends starting with a mole,

have been shown what the little prickly creature can do, including swimming in the lake. That’s where during an afternoon of fun, Little Hedgehog learns that not all animals have the same set of skills and abilities. Come nightfall, it’s fortunate that the turtles are willing to offer a lift all the way home to the Hedgehogs’ residence where an owl’s hoots send Little Hedgehog off to sleep but not before a final “I can do that too!”.
Beautiful, textured scenes in Britta’s characteristic style and a gentle tale show little humans that it’s good to be eager to embrace new things but equally, it’s fine to discover that you’re not quite ready to accomplish all you try.

No, Nancy, No! a Dog Chase in New York
Alice Tait
Walker Books

Nancy and her canine best pal Roger are in New York ready to head off to the theatre to see Dogs! The Musical. On arrival Nancy spots Candy the star of the show on a lead outside and in her enthusiasm she accidentally unravels the lead and off goes Candy … through the city and into a cab destination Central Park. Nancy and Roger chase after her but Nancy can’t resist stopping several times as they pursue her into the zoo, past a parade and downtown to the Hudson River where Candy has been blown attached to a bunch of balloons. Eventually she ends up dangling from the Statue of Liberty.

As ever more of the dogs of the city join the chase young followers of the story will enjoy adding their voices to that of the long-suffering Roger with “No, Nancy, No!”

and amused to discover the total chaos Nancy has caused by her thoughtless action. Can she possibly succeed in scaling the heights, rescuing Candy and getting her back in time for the show? Happily with lots of assistance, she can and that night Candy (stage fright overcome) isn’t the only one in the spotlight.
With a final fold out map, lots of famous landmarks, a surprise pop-up, a plethora of flaps and a wealth of detail in the busy scenes, there’s plenty for youngsters to explore in this interactive travellers’ tale.