Jake in the Middle
Michael Catchpool, illustrated by Shanarama
Otter-Barry Books

This is the first of the new Maple Street series and what a delight it is.

Meet Jake, who is the central character of four short stories. His family comprises his mum and dad, older sister, Ellie, younger brother, Sam and Grandpa who has his own flat downstairs. The stories are interlinked and are in order Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!, Catch of the Day, The Class Museum and All Fall Down!

In the first story Jake is excited about his new trainers, but Sam also loves them and this causes upsets on both sides. When Grandpa discovers there’s a shoe issue, he comes up with a plan. Will it work?
Catch of the Day takes place on a Saturday: Jake, Grandpa and Sam visit the city farm and Sam’s soft toy, Coco ends up in the wrong place a couple of times.
In the third story, Jake’s teacher asks class members to bring items for a class museum – something old and special to them. Jake borrows something without asking and then it disappears …
In the final story, the discovery of Grandpa’s old cricket bat in his shed leads to some family fun.

There’s an illustration by Shanarama on every spread; her depiction of the characters enhances the author’s sensitive portrayal of the relationships between the characters.
Ideal for new solo readers.

My Happy Life
Rose Lagercantz, illustrated by Eva Ericsson
Gecko Press

This reissue of a story was first published over fifteen years ago and is translated from its original Swedish by Julia Marshall. Herein we meet young Dani and read of some of the ups and downs of her life, a vital one being when she starts school, something she has been eagerly anticipating. On the way with her Dad, she suddenly becomes scared: What if she doesn’t make any friends? Happily though, on the second day Dani meets Ella who quickly becomes her best friend.

However at the start of her second term Dani’s happiness turns to unhappiness when she learns that Ella is moving away. Things will never be the same again despite her father’s best efforts, his daughter still feels sad and shows it by becoming angry at school. Fortunately though things improve and one day Dani receives a letter. She responds and soon after happiness returns and a new chapter is about to begin in Dani’s happy life.

A gentle tale full of emotion that is brought out even more through Eva Eriksson’s black and white illustrations. There’s a lot to discuss after sharing, this with an individual or class and it’s also ideal for new solo readers. I loved the idea of children counting their happy times but was less happy to read that one parent bribed her child with money to get him to school on the first day.