Category Picture Books

The Tiny Baker / I Took the Moon for a Walk

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These are two books from Barefoot Books – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review

The Tiny Baker
Hayley Barrett and Alison Jay

A wonderfully whimsical, tasty picture book told in rhyming couplets by Hayley Barrett and illustrated in oils by Alison Jay.

As the story begins the titular tiny baker is listing on a chalkboard the sweet treat she has on sale that day. Outside her establishment is a long line of ant customers elegantly dressed waiting to try her ‘lemon tarts, / Her sugar-sprinkled cookie hearts, / To sample her pecan pralines / And nibble lacy florentines.’ Meanwhile inside, the baker ensures all is ready and with her team of ladybirds busy whisking and mixing the clock approaches opening time.

At three on the dot, the door opens and in come the ants to be ushered to the table ready to enjoy a treat or two.

But in the kitchen the ladybirds have downed tools and are leaving the kitchen through an open window. Disaster! When the baker re-enters the kitchen she’s aghast at what she sees. Every single worker has flown away leaving chaos in their wake and a baker ‘slumped amidst the mess – / Bewildered, flummoxed, in distress’ …

Having heard the to do, cricket sounds a call to action and the ants respond by cleaning, moving, clearing and mending until very soon order and the tiny baker are restored. Overcome by the wonderful gesture of her customers, the baker is even more surprised to learn of the prime reason they make their daily visit to her establishment. As a way of showing her immense gratitude she offers them a tray of her goodies.

As endearing tale of kindness and community that will surely make readers’ mouths water at the yummy pastries and delight in the period flavour provided by Alison Jay’s portrayal of the customers in fashionable Victorian clothes in her detailed scenes created on a craquelure background.

I Took the Moon for a Walk
Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay

Mysterious and enchanting is this story of a nocturnal walk taken by a boy narrator. With the moon following behind him like ‘a still summer kite’ he has a variety of small but significant adventures. For instance, unused to accompanying a boy on a walk, the moon very nearly gets hooked on a church spire. It’s also serenaded by a canine chorus and later on hand in hand, the two tiptoe through the grass ‘where the night crawlers creep / when he rust-bellied / robins have all / gone to sleep.’ They enjoy a swing flying up high and more before crossing the bridge and returning to the narrator’s home where the Moon shows its thanks by providing a ‘sweet sleepy light’.

Lyrical and rhythmic, Carolyn Curtis’s text reads aloud well and complemented by Alison Jay’s gorgeous scenes of a world bathed in moonlight, would make a comforting pre bedtime tale.
At the back of the book, the author includes information about ‘The Mysterious Moon,’ and ‘The World at Night’, which gives facts about some fauna and flora.

There is a QR code on the back cover of each book: scan them to bring the stories to life with narrations by Teresa Gallagher.

A Tree For Everyone

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A Tree For Everyone
Kathy Urban and Rosie Butcher
Little Steps Publishing

Jake, Aiden and Pip absolutely love the tree they have discovered. Indeed they’ve made it their own through their creative play. First it’s a castle, reaching high into the summer sky. Thereafter it becomes a pirate ship sailing the high seas searching for lost treasure and then a rocket bound for space. No matter what, it’s a place to laugh, share dreams and do all the things best friends do together.
However, one morning to their surprise, their place of play is no longer theirs alone: three other children are there. Seeing them as a threat to their private world, Jake et al tell the newcomers to go away. Despite knowing it’s not a kind way to behave, things escalate and the tree house is broken into pieces and silence prevails in their special place.

The children disperse and begin finding other things to do and other children to play with. No so Jake though; he stays near to home and can’t stop his mind wandering back to his special friends and the exciting things they’d done together. Eventually he returns to the tree but he’s not the only one who has done so. Lily too has drifted back and, after apologising to one another, little by little a fresh understanding and friendship develops.. Finally, joy of joys, there’s a new treehouse that, as the title says, is for everyone.

This heartwarming tale celebrates children’s creativity but even more important, being willing to offer apologies and accept second chances. Kindness, empathy and inclusivity are key when it comes to resolving differences. Rosie Butcher’s detailed illustrations show how the natural world and the oak tree in particular inspire the children’s imaginations: would that all youngsters had easy access to nature.

Hot Food: Nice!

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Hot Food: Nice!
Michael Rosen and Neal Layton
Walker Books

This is Michael Rosen’s hugely popular poem ‘Hot Food’ to which a prelude has been added wherein the narrator tells readers, “When I was a boy I thought my dad knew everything.’ However the day dawns when a discovery destroys that belief. This is what happens: It’s dinner time and the family – mum, dad, the narrator and his brother are sitting around the kitchen table, plates piled high with dinner. It’s evident to the narrator that the potato’s a tad on the hot side and so with just a small amount on his fork, he blows on it – whooph whooph – ‘until it’s cool, / just cool, / then into the mouth: nice!’ His brother and mum do a similar thing. Dad however acts, let’s say, rather rashly. Into his mouth goes a large amount of potato:

YIKES! You can almost feel the skin inside his mouth blistering in Neal Layton’s scene of Dad as he flaps his hands, blows and puffs and a whole lot more until he ejects the potato in small pieces back onto his plate. His family are obviously dumbfounded, perhaps even more so when he states, “Watch out everybody – the potato’s very hot.”

A paragraph from the publisher at the back of the book includes a couple of amusing facts concerning ‘nice’ the meme in both China and the USA.

Neal Layton’s illustrations capture the potato incident splendidly so it becomes a scrumptious slapstick visual story too, full of fantastic facial expressions. A unmissable read aloud for class and family sharing.

Protecting the Planet: The Secret World of Seahorses

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Protecting the Planet: The Secret World of Seahorses
Nicola Davies and Lou Baker-Smith
Walker Books

This immersive addition to the Protecting the Planet series is written in an accessible narrative style by zoologist,, Nicola Davies with impressive mixed media illustrations by Lou Baker Smith.

I’m fortunate to have seen live seahorses off the coast of Kerala but I doubt many readers of this book will have been so lucky as to see these graceful, fascinating, almost magical creatures. This is due in part to the 70+ million that are caught annually by humans who then make them into pills and potions or items such as key-rings to sell them as trinkets. Others of them meanwhile become the victims of pollution and dragnets. It’s still not too late however, to save these wonderful animals from becoming extinct: readers will discover how seahorses have adapted to their environment through movement and by means of camouflage and diet changes.

Furthermore on the positive side, they’ll read of innovative conservation schemes in the UK,

and in Malaysia and Cambodia to protect seahorse habitats.

Did you know that seahorses perform a ritual dance? You can discover why from the book and what makes paternal seahorses unique in the animal kingdom.

Certainly worth adding to family bookshelves and KS2 class collections; make sure children’s attention is drawn to the final spread ‘Seahorses and Climate Change’.

Molly, Olive and Dexter: Who’s Afraid of the Dark?

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Molly, Olive and Dexter: Who’s Afraid of the Dark?
Catherine Rayner
Walker Books

Friends Molly the hare, Dexter the fox and Olive the owl return in a tale of nighttime nerves. It begins with the three enjoying watching the sun setting, but as darkness descends, Molly hears a rustling sound that troubles her. It’s only Dexter cleaning his whiskers. Next Dexter feels something brushing against him and before long, Olive too is spooked though it’s merely shadow shapes. (They are made by Molly’s long leporine ears.)

Then comes rain whooshing down accompanied by thunder – another alarming experience – but eventually the friends realise that their sensory experiences are created by harmless things. The story ends with the three woodland pals enjoying something together before resting beneath their massive oak tree at the forest edge.

Young children too have night-time fears and this fun picture book, with Catherine Rayner’s watercolour scenes where the friends’ expressions – Molly’s in particular – show superbly their growing panic as the tale progresses, is perfect for sharing as a pre bedtime tale.

Molly, Dexter and Olive are endearing characters and their evening episode is ultimately reassuring. Add this book to early years collections and family bookshelves where there are young children.

Baxter’s View

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Baxter’s View
Kerri Cunningham (Murphy’s Sketches)
Fox & Ink Books

Herein we meet siblings, Rory the elder and his younger brother, Baxter. They see the world differently: ‘Baxter likes to bounce, and hum, and flap. Sometimes it can take a while to get wherever they’re going. Sometimes this makes Rory cross.’

We join Baxter and Rory as they visit the park with their mum. On the way Baxter enjoys some puddle paddling, and Rory notices how the leaves dance beneath his brother’s wellies before joining him in some splashy fun.

At the park gate Baxter stops to feel the long grass tickling him, and having watched him, Rory runs his fingers through the blades, which made him feel calmer. By the pond Baxter emulates the ducks and his brother is amused at his actions. Very eager to reach the playground, Rory is getting grumpy but he does as Mum suggests and lies beneath the tree branches and watches creatures above in the flickering sunlight, appreciating its beauty from Baxter’s viewpoint.

Of course they do eventually get to the playground and the brothers enjoy themselves.

The following week when it’s park visiting time again, it’s evident that Rory has learned that by slowing down, you can see exciting and wonderful things.

As well as celebrating neurodiversity, this sweet, earnest story gently encourages everyone to slow down and take time to see the beauty of the natural world. A book to share and discuss in EYFS and KS1 classrooms as well as with family members.

The Family Tree

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The Family Tree
Yasmine Anane and Mark Beech
Tiny Tree

What makes a family? That question is at the heart of this story.

As autumn turns to winter Mole realises that living alone, he’s beset by loneliness and embarks on a journey to search for his family tree. Before long, he spies an owl flying overhead and calls to him in the hope that he will assist in finding his family tree. Owl doesn’t know what is meant by this, but after Mole has explained, he realises that he too is lonely. Could he find his own family by accompanying Mole perhaps: at least it means he’s no longer alone.

The two continue together, chatting and telling stories as they walk, when suddenly they notice a squirrel watching them. She’s heard them mention ‘a family tree, where all looked the same, for the whole world to see. … and you build a home where you truly belong.’ Squirrel joins the other searchers and off they go together merrily. Their laughter is heard by a rabbit and so the three become four.

With winter now upon the enchanted wood, they reach the final tree. Sadly Mole declares that there isn’t a family tree, but Owl has a different understanding of what this means. “We’re not all the same – but that’s the best part, / it’s not what you look like, but what’s in your heart.” Already the four seekers have formed a loving bond

and Mole has to agree, so, no more searching, journey over, they build a home together.

Told in rhyme that reads aloud well, Yasmine Anane’s narrative, with its themes of acceptance, kindness and understanding in tandem with Mark Beech’s illustrations that bring the characters to life on the page, have created a thought-provoking fable to share and discuss with children at home or in a KS1 cl

The Day the Jungle-Net Broke

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The Day the Jungle-Net Broke
Marleen Lammers and Ian Smith
New Frontier Publishing

Having recently moved back to the London area I encounter many more adults out and about with small children, mostly in pushchairs. I’d say that over 80% are playing with screens. It’s a joy to see a few others engaging with a board book or picture book, but if only there were more so doing.

Marleen Lammers’ story has a jungle setting and its main character is Miles, a monkey. Miles relies on his screen for virtually everything. The early morning Beep! Beep! beeping of the alarm wakes him from his slumbers and informs him that it’s time to do his exercises. Having done these, the creature is hungry and so uses his Just Peel app to order some bananas before his daily ‘tree-time’ face-call with his cousin.

In the middle of their chat, Miles’s screen freezes and he tries everything to get it back working, but to no avail.The Jungle-Net is Broken: disastrous news.

In the middle of Miles expressing his worries about what he won’t be able to do sans screens, he hears a voice from the ground. It’s a tortoise that suggests he uses ‘snail mail’ to communicate with his cousin. With no other option, Miles writes a note to Manny and leaves his i-tree for the first time in ages and starts walking. Yes, it does take him considerable time but it also means he can engage with the rainforest differently. In so doing, his hunger is stated and he feels energised on reaching the post office..

His return journey is even more fruitful and Miles even makes some real friends,

friends that he discovers he loves to spend time with exploring the jungle and having adventures.

Helped by Ian Smith’s bright jungle illustrations that bring the wealth of jungle fauna to life, this is an amusing, playful story that doesn’t ban screens completely, rather it encourages children to set them aside fairly frequently and enjoy engaging with friends in person, as well one hopes, with the wealth of exciting books for young children with stories for their own sake: what they offer is a place from which to become aware, aware of new worlds and ideas that stimulate the imagination.

Ming the Panda

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Ming the Panda
Jake Hope and Yu Rong
Otter-Barry Books

When a young child is unable to sleep, Mama tells a story about a very special panda who brought love and hope to millions of people. It’s the real-life story of Ming, the first baby Giant Panda to be brought to London Zoo in 1938, who became a wartime symbol of courage and hope. The little panda began its life in the mountains of China. As she grew in size, she also grew in bravery and one day she began a journey that took her all the way to London Zoo. There she was looked after by a kindly zookeeper – his very first panda – that he named Ming (a Chinese name that means Brightness).

People came from near and far to visit the panda and they even wrote her messages and sang to her. One very special visitor was a young princess, who later became Queen Elizabeth. Ming’s fame spread all around the world but then war broke out and bombs fell on London. Despite this, brave Ming helped those who visited her until one day, transported in her mind to the snowy Chinese mountains. she died. However, her memory continued to act as a shining light bringing hope to the people.

Ming’s inspiration also brought hope at worrying times to the little child hearing her story and it is to be hoped to other children who need help to be resilient whatever trouble they face.

Jake Hope’s sensitively told narrative – a story within a story – reads aloud well and together with Yu Rong’s beautiful illustrations, a combination of Chinese folk art paper-cutting and pencil drawing, make this a child-friendly way to start discussing issues such as war and animals being kept in captivity.

A Rainy Dragon Day

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A Rainy Dragon Day
Julie Völk
Gecko Press

The child narrator of this story starts by saying they love rainy days – just right for reading, playing, mucking around and daydreaming without being bothered by anyone. However, having just settled down for a bit of reading, ‘DrrrrrrrrrrrinG!’ the doorbell rings and standing at the entrance is a rather large dragon with a brolly.

In comes the dragon: it’s introduced as Fred, lover of sausages and coffee, lots of coffee, and starts making itself at home. The child then needs to use the loo and does so in full view of the dragon. Fred then asks if he can do so too.

However, the large creature won’t fit into the bathroom no matter how hard our host pushes and shoves. having drawn a large red loo outline on the wall to no avail, they head outside to search for the place ‘where dragons go’.

The next few spreads are particularly amusing as we watch the agitated, increasingly desperate dragon being led around the city – past a tree, a fountain, and other possible pee-ing places. Finally Fred flies the child to a watery dragon park full of elegant gazebos, some already occupied but Fred finds the perfect one, relieves himself with a golden jet stream

and then back they fly.

A hilarious story – droll bathroom humour with a difference – illustrated with beautifully drawn pencil images, painted in watercolour. What a different bedtime story this would make, but equally it would greatly amuse a class of under 7s at any time of the school day.

Sketch

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Sketch
Jacques Goldstyn
Greystone Kids

Almost as soon he’s born the baby seems a little different, in appearance especially. His parents adore him and name him Sketch. They watch avidly as he does amusing things, a bit wild on occasion.

However the place where the family lives is a perfect town with straight streets and identical houses where everything has a place and everything works on time. Orthodoxy rules.

It’s when Sketch encounters other children that things get a bit challenging, though the boy isn’t bothered; he merely gets on with what he likes to do – investigate and invent. When he starts school, the headteacher looks with displeasure at his scruffiness and expects trouble from Sketch. His teachers look disapprovingly at his writing – a jumble of lowercase and capital letters – and tell him to write as the others do and they certainly don’t appreciate his active imagination. One member of staff, the art teacher . Miss Beauregard, does create an environment wherein Sketch is happy; she loves his work, which is so different from that of the other pupils and gives him words of encouragement, telling him to persevere.

At High School, Sketch bonds with some other artistic students – Flow, a dancer, dark, handsome Muddy who has an air of mystery about him

and Doodle who is forever changing his shape and form; these new friends give him strength as they become inseparable. Part of that strength enables him to turn down their idea of moving away, for Sketch has a rather different idea.

This whimsical picture book is an ode to divergent thinking and creativity that will appeal especially to imaginative readers, including those older than the usual picture book audience.

When I Feel Lonely

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When I Feel Lonely
Britta Teckentrup
Prestel

We all, adults and children, feel lonely from time to time and it can far too easily become overwhelming. Loneliness is the theme of Britta Teckentrup’s latest book. Herein we follow a young girl as she walks through a snowy forest: ‘My world feels lonely, cold and bare / with no one around and nothing to share’ she tells readers. Behind her however, is a wolf that has been on her trail as she traverses the grey landscape and after a while, the child narrator pauses and gives the creature a hug,

Then together they howl at the moon and the girl goes on to contemplate reaching out to others but says she’s frightened of being rejected if she approaches other children.
The wolf then shares some encouraging words of wisdom with her and strengthened by what she’s heard, the girl continues on her way and before long, she becomes aware of other children who are also searching for friends.

So, empowered by wolf’s words, can she take those vital first steps and reach out to another?
Britta’s empathetic, rhyming text shows readers that loneliness is a common feeling, but not usually a permanent one.This is brought out beautifully in the author’s powerful scenes of the walk wherein her colour changes indicate gradual improvement in the young girl’s mood.

A book to share and discuss with a class or group, some of whom might have felt lonely, perhaps on account of moving home or falling out with a special friend.

The Experimenters: Luke and Ruby’s Scientific Sleepover

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The Experimenters: Luke and Ruby’s Scientific Sleepover
Dr Shane Bergin, illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee
Little Island Books

It’s the half-term holiday and Luke and Ruby are excited to be spending the week at their grandparents’ home, which is full of amazing treasures. Both grandparents had been scientists: Grandad studied animals and Nanny studied outer space, “We did all sorts of experiments along the way,” Grandad tells the siblings. Nanny explains the basics of scientific experiments and immediately the siblings are eager to start . There follow eight chapters that present different science topics the children do, the first being observations of birds in the garden.

Next they explore floating and sinking with a variety of objects when they are asked to predict first and then test, and a question from Ruby prompts Grandad to bring up density and how it makes something float or sink.

Thereafter they look at ways of making music; make telephones from two paper cups and some string, make and bake a sponge cake;

test reaction times; closely observe minibeasts and finally, plant some seeds in pots to take home so that they can watch them grow.

Throughout it’s evident that the children are thoroughly enjoying themselves; the grandparents in turn offer encouragement and sometimes make a suggestion but they never force, rather they allow the siblings to work things out for themselves.

Inserted into each experiment are pages called “You’re the Scientist’ wherein Dr Shane Bergin asks readers to do some scientific thinking too.

This is a fun, playful way of encouraging young children to be science learners and Sayani Mukherjee’s illustrations certainly show the characters enjoying their investigations.

One to add to both home and KS1 class collections.

The Bestest Big Brother, Ever

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The Bestest Big Brother, Ever
Ben Mantle
Walker Books

This is told from the viewpoint of Nano, the younger of two brothers. He and Felix are, so he tells readers, best friends who can read one another’s minds and have some ‘super secret code words’. Sometimes though Felix wants some space of his own, something their Mum agrees with after Nano is so upset at finding himself shut out of the treehouse having spoiled the picture Felix has drawn. However the message he gets when trying again to gain entry to the treehouse, ‘ … Now stop copying me. And stop following me. And just leave me alone!’ could’t be clearer.

Off sets Nano to build his own tree house but the one he makes is far from weatherproof. Nano’s shouts for help go unheeded and as a result, Felix has gone from being the bestest big brother to ‘the WORST big brother.’

Off goes Nano to sulk in his bedroom. Then after a while up comes Felix and what he shows Nano is something TOTALLY GRAPE! – convincing him that after all, he is the bestest brother and his best friend – most of the time.

Ben Mantle’s capturing of a common family situation is pitch perfect; told with gentle humour and some wonderfully whimsical wording such as ‘totally grape’ (really great) and ‘fancy-pants umbrella house!’ His scenes of the ups and downs of the relationship are full of fun details including Nano wearing one sock most of the time, two pigeons having a tug of war over a worm and the child-made boils hanging from a tree branch in the garden. Assuredly a story that will resonate with countless families.

Porridge Please!

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Porridge Please!
Laura Mucha and Marc Boutavant
Walker Books

This is a terrific fairy tale spin off featuring a host of favourite characters that visit a little bear who is trying his very best to read the last page of his new book. The poor bear has had a continuous stream of visitors each wanting some of his ‘sumptuous scrumptious porridge’

as the Little Pig calls it when he comes a KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK knocking.

Having kindly fed Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood and three pigs,

Bear’s feeling frazzled when there comes yet another visitor – Granny supposedly – telling a tale of woe. But suddenly a realisation dawns: ‘THAT WASN’T GRANNY. Red Riding Hood said she was eaten by the Big Bad Wolf’. Time for some quick thinking and a clever ploy from Bear.

There’s so much to love about this book: Bear’s problem solving, his love of story books, and the tastiness of porridge: three vital ingredients in Laura Mucha’s telling and Marc Boutavant’s hilarious scenes of of the dramatic events.

In case you’re wondering whether Bear ever did get to read that last page, you’ll have to get your own copy of their book to find out. One thing that is certain though is that young listeners will endorse the READ IT AGAIN! plea on the final endpapers.


Big Thoughts / Some Days I’m the Wind

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Big Thoughts
Laura Dockrill and Ashling Lindsay
Walker Books

We’re all beset with worries from time to time – ‘Big Thoughts’ as the child narrator of this books calls them. Such thoughts can’t be seen by others despite them being loud inside your head. They might be Big Thoughts about the future, the past or perhaps even make-believe (not telling the truth). Moreover the more one tries to ignore such thoughts, the louder and more all embracing they become.

So what can be done to alleviate a very worried mind? One way is to share them with a an older person who has learned some coping strategies. Strategies that can be passed on and will then stay with the sufferer henceforward. Another way is to talk with a friend who has suffered similarly, so neither person feels alone.

Laura Dockrill’s text is such that readers/listeners are made to feel the centre of attention – seen and heard – and together with Ashling Lindsay’s sensitive illustrations and the final spread entitled Tips and Techniques’ make this a very reassuring and helpful book.

Some Days I’m the Wind
Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Dinara Mirtalipova
Barefoot Books

Using metaphors relating to the weather and the natural world, the young narrator of this book tells us how her feelings and emotions can change from day to day or perhaps several times in a single day. “Some days I’m the sun, welcoming, warm /patient, pleasant, fair. // Some days I’m the sun, / stubborn, HOT! / A raging, blazing glare.’

Or, ‘Some days I’m a tree, / flourishing, strong, reaching for the sky/ // Some days I’m a tree / trembling, bare, / bidding leaves goodbye.’

The well chosen, child friendly metaphors combined with the repeat ‘Some days’ of the gently rhythmic text and the vibrant, boldly coloured illustrations, keep readers turning the pages as they, like the narrator come to understand that there are a whole multitude of ways to feel, to act and to be. This is reaffirmed in the final proclamation, “And just like the wind, / or the sun, / or the sea / on some days / I’m some ways, / but all days // I’m me.”

After the child’s narration is a spread entitled “Exploring Our Emotions’ written by a child development specialist. A book to share and talk about at home, or with an EYFS or KS1 class.

To Activate Space Portal Lift Here

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To Activate Space Portal Lift Here
Antoinette Portis
Scallywag Press

This is an intergalactic romp of the metafictive kind; it’s also interactive.

On the first spread readers will find a small orange rectangle containing a smaller black circle and at the bottom of the right page are two little green dots, one labelled ‘power’, the other ‘auto translate’. A turn of the page shows a larger central rectangle within which is a large eye with a black pupil and orange iris. A couple of page turns on a portal opens up to reveal two extraterrestrial beings – Blrg, (with yellow skin) and Zrk (with orange skin). At first these two creatures are petrified concluding “Aliens are real!!!”

The two decide to engage readers in conversation to discover whether the alien being spoken to intends to eat them and ask to see its teeth. Having done so their concern disappears for the teeth are very tiny. “Alien, what is your planet called?” the two enquire. ‘Planeturth’ they hear in response, which of course they’ve never heard of.

The interaction continues and is mainly agreeable and an array of additional extraterrestrials appear to gaze at and greet the Alien.

They’ve just said “Hi!” when the power level of the book drops indicating the imminent closure of the portal before which farewells are exchanged and Blrg and Zrk deliver a final message to all planeturthlings. However by now the auto translate has turned red so they and we readers will never know what “SKF FLRBL GRNK!” means.

With its vibrantly coloured illustrations this weird, out of this world tale, will likely go down especially well with space fans.

The Monster in the Lake / The Kerfuffle

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These are both recent Gecko Press titles – thanks to the publisher and Nicky Potter for sending them for review

The Monster in the Lake
Leo Timmers

Following one duck’s suggestion, four ducks contemplate some fun in the lake. Another however, has concerns about the monster said to be in there, but the others insist there’s no need to worry. Off they go into the water, with three ducks urging the fourth, “Trust us!”. Eric trails reluctantly behind and perhaps this gives him a clearer idea of what is going on beneath the surface.

At each turn of the page readers and Eric see more of the subaquatic reality while his companions remain oblivious despite his loud, “MONSTER!”warning, even insisting that they are the only ones around other than frogs and small fish. It takes Eric’s disappearance to ruffle his friends’ feathers,

though his reappearance soon puts them at their ease again. For Eric, this whole swim has been a truly memorable adventure; as for the others, they certainly won’t know that the monster is far from threatening, rather it’s a playful beastie.

Young audiences will love sharing in Eric’s subterfuge. They’ll love too, Leo Timmers’ bold, bright, whimsical images of the marine characters and the their underwater accoutrements: why though did Eric keep all the fun part to himself?

The Kerfuffle
Clotilde Perrin

Kitty and Pup are neighbours and the best of friends but suddenly everything changes. Kitty eats Pup’s fish, so in return Pup takes Kitty’s slipper. Now the two besties have become enemies and they decide not to see one another any more – ever. To that end they build a wall separating their abodes (the book’s flaps let readers see what is happening on either side.
With the wall complete, peace reigns but then a bunny rabbit appears on top of it. Dog and Kitty both want to make friends with the rabbit and they start fighting over the newcomer.

Now none of them is happy and Rabbit runs off. Eventually however Kitty decides it time to make peace with Dog and a lot of crashing and banging ensues that results in a solution that makes everyone happy.
Demonstrating the pointlessness of building walls, Clotilde Perrin’s clever amalgam of narrative and illustrations with those strategically placed flaps works really well. The illustrations deserve careful perusal as there is a lot going on between bit part players such as a pair of birds that start nesting, as well as a couple of mice.

The Bear Who Wanted to Dance

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The Bear Who Wanted to Dance
Stephanie Stansbie and Wendy J Warren
Little Tiger

Follow your dreams no matter whoever or whatever you are, is the message that shines through this story of Rita the bear who was inspired by the very first ballet she saw and knew in her heart that she too wanted to become a dancer. She took lessons with Monsieur le Fox where she met Wanda and the two became firm friends dreaming of their lives in dance. Rita, our narrator tells how she practised daily, pushing herself ever harder until the day came when Monsieur le Fox tells the class that there’s to be an audition for the prima ballerina.

The night before the auditions, as the two friends browse through dance magazines, Rita begins to worry and her worry grows as she realises that none of the ballerinas depicted look at all like her – there’s not a single bear.

At the auditions the following day their teacher has worked them till they ached and come moonlight, he gives the instruction: “Everyone in arabesque!” Having taken up the pose, Rita loses her balance, falls, and is distraught.

Is that the end of her dance dream? Happily Monsieur le Fox’s response to her fall is unexpectedly positive and up she gets and on she goes and …

With a body-positivity theme, this story with its soft-hued illustrations and forest setting is a delight and will surely encourage those who dream big but don’t see themselves depicted in the media.

I’m Going To Eat A Polar Bear

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I’m Going To Eat A Polar Bear
Karl Newson and Nicola Kinnear
Happy Yak

Despite being very hungry, a little penguin turns down the offer of fish, declaring it boring and instead demanding ‘something new. Something soft … and fluffy!’ One of the older penguins recalls hearing of something matching that description called a ‘bolar pear’. Off sets the little penguin, full of bravado, on a mission to find and eat a bolar pear, despite not knowing what such a creature actually looks like.

After a long journey over land, sea and the occasional croc. and the dismissal of warnings about the bear’s enormity, the little penguin finally arrives at the North Pole, the place where polar bears live.

Our bear seeker has an extremely rumbly tum but apparently not much common sense, for the little penguin decides that there are no polar bears, not even a tiny one, anywhere. Back home to some fish is the only option, that, or remain hungry. Little does said penguin realise that an equally hungry polar bear has been following close behind all the time.

This is one of those books that is sure to have young listeners yelling, “it’s behind you” as the story progresses and the totally oblivious little penguin almost ends up becoming the next meal for a polar bear, rather than the other way round. Children will love being in the know with the author in this tongue-in-cheek tale, the drama of which is captured with aplomb in Nicola Kinnear’s story-telling sequences.

Squirrel and Bird

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Squirrel and Bird
Laura Baker and Stacey Thomas
Little Tiger

Squirrel and Bird are best friends and the external narrator introducing them emphasises their difference: ‘Squirrel is loud! Very LOUD!’ Bird, on the other hand, ‘hardly makes a sound at all.’ ‘Squirrel is busy. Busy, busy, busy!’ Bird though, ‘prefers to sit and do nothing.’ This way of describing them really annoys Bird as the comments are not the whole picture – far from it.

As the friends prepare for a concert to be held in front of the entire forest, tension mounts and eventually the feathered creature has heard enough and lets the narrator know in no uncertain terms. “ENOUGH!” comes the angry cry. ‘We are not only what you say we are. There’s so much more to us than that.’

Feeling the rebuke, the narrator shows a degree of surprise and has to agree ‘Bird is LOTS of things … and Squirrel is too!’

With Laura Baker’s very effective minimal text and Stacey Thomas’s charmingly detailed, muted sepia and grey scenes, the vital message comes through clearly: we are all an amalgam of different things at different times and hasty judgements are foolish.

A thought-provoking book to share and talk about with primary classes, possibly in a circle time session.

I Definitely Don’t Like the Dark

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I Definitely Don’t Like the Dark
Fiona Barker and Christine Pym
Scholastic

The two delightful squirrel best friends, Hank and Hoog, return in another of the I Definitely Don’t Like stories.

After an enjoyable day together, as the sun sets the friends start to head for home when Hoog remarks on the long length of his shadow. Hank speeds up eager to get home before dark. “I d… don’t like the d… dark,” he whispers to his pal. An understanding Hoog offers to accompany him all the way back but as the sun disappears completely, Hank is alarmed by noises, noises made by other creatures

and the creaking of a tree. Once all is quiet, Hank starts worrying again, this time about what could be hiding, waiting in the dark.

After some reassurance from Hoog, they continue their way, Hank still not fully sure about the surrounding darkness. However Hoog still has something tucked in his fur to share with him. Together they sit on a branch gazing at the stars shining bright all around them and a realisation comes to Hank: ‘… despite having fear, with a good friend … there will always be light in the darkness.’

Fiona’s reassuring story is perfect to share with young children who, like Hank , are scared of the dark. Christine Pym uses a variety of viewpoints from which to present the events and this further adds to the power of the telling.

Brown Girl in the Snow

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Brown Girl in the Snow
Yolanda T. Marshall and Marianne Ferrer
Greystone Kids

Amina, the narrator of the story has recently moved from the Caribbean where she was able to grown all kinds of plants, to a snowy city in a new country, and she’s not happy.

“There’s a brown girl in the
Tra la la la la,
where none of her plants will grow”


She sings as she watches the other children playing, then asks her elder brother how she can grown her garden in such an environment. He suggests she should wait for the spring to come. Hearing her song, her dad takes her to the library where she discovers a book about gardens. This cheers her somewhat and the following day her teacher asks why she’s not out playing with the other children. Having heard how Amina misses growing plants, she has an idea:

she sets up a class field trip to a greenhouse. When her classmates her about this, some of them start talking about the plants they are missing from their home countries such as The Republic of Congo and India. They also ask Amina to join them in their play outside next time. The weeks pass and at last it’s the field trip. Amina is a bit disappointed that she doesn’t see sweet potatoes growing in the greenhouse though there are lots of other tropical plants; nonetheless the trip is a success. Particularly when Mr Lokon discovers that she was hoping to find sweet potatoes and gives her some slips to plant.

He also invites her and her new friends to return and watch their growth. This they do though it takes a long time and in the meantime, Amina becomes much more positive about her new home.

The refrain, “There’s a brown girl …” is repeated several times throughout the story, with different ending lines as events progress and young listeners will enjoy joining in each time. Aptly Marianne Ferrer’s stylised watercolour depictions of the plants and some clothing items are in various green hues, with a dark magenta for Amina’s sweet potatoes.

The author draws on her own experience for this story: it’s ideal for children who are moving to a different climate and those who feel homesick for a previous country as well as for a KS1 topic related to growing plants.

The Mushroom of Doom

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The Mushroom of Doom
Becky Davies and Thomas Elliott
Little Tiger

This story begins with a horrified-looking button mushroom hurtling down into a blender whirring on a work surface: certain death looks more than likely.
Prior to that said Mushroom was an optimistic fungus anticipating becoming the star ingredient on the evening’s pizza. That’s not what happens however: Pineapple is chosen for the topping not Mushroom, after which the day gets progressively worse. Milk accidentally spills all over him and his best trainers;

then down comes a big boot – somebody has stepped on him. After all this our protagonist is unceremoniously dumped into the compost bin where a closer look reveals hundreds of other mushrooms.

Time for revenge: designating himself the Mushroom of Doom, he assembles a mushroom army to take revenge – little do they know what they’re in for under the tyrannical leader that even refuses them any water.

But a dehydrated army is unable to fight at all. Worse is to follow for the Mushroom but just when it seems the end is nigh an erstwhile fridge sharer steps in and .… Surely now our Mushroom narrator will finally become a reformed character. Errr!

Thomas Elliott’s dramatic illustrations work superbly with Becky Davies’ pun-laden text in this anarchic story, the ending of which may come as a surprise.

Tiger’s Last Roar

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Tiger’s Last Roar
Harriet Howe and Katie Cottle
Templar Books

Mae and her pet cat Tiger are inseparable. When they’re together the garden becomes a vast jungle of which the two are queens, exploring and adventuring all day until the teatime call comes. Having dined together, they bath together, draw together and tell stories together.
However, Tiger is getting older and as summer turns to autumn, Tiger is tired and wants to spend more time sleeping instead of exploring. Then one day when the teatime call comes, she fails to return. Tiger has died and Mae is heartbroken. Unable to speak she lets out an almighty roar, then turning her back on the jungle she shuts herself away.

Her empathetic Mum gives her time and loving hugs, then gently suggests that talking about Tiger might help her cope. After a while, under Mum’s gentle guidance, the two of them tell stories of Tiger, Mae draws and they share memories of the beloved animal. Mae then starts to venture outside, albeit apprehensively, anxious that nothing will be the same without her pet. However, Mae discovers that Tiger has left paw-prints everywhere in the jungle and most importantly, in Mae’s own heart

and there they’ll remain for ever.

With Katie Cottle’s richly coloured illustrations, this powerfully moving story, full of warmth and tenderness shows just how big an impact the loss of a pet can have on a child, especially an only child. After the story, there’s a helpful spread that provides a space for children to use, should they too lose a much loved pet, as well as a page for adults on ‘supporting a child through the loss of a pet’.

Sharing & Caring – Stop That Squirrel! / A Dinosaur Lives In Our Shed

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Stop That Squirrel!
Smriti Halls and Lucy Fleming
Scholastic

Scout the squirrel is an obsessive nut hunter and with autumn in the air she decides it’s time to prepare for winter. Off she goes, sack on her back, to collect as many nuts as possible.

Having filled her larder with her first haul, she sets out again, beating all the other creatures to each and every nut.

They decide to try and halt her greed so they put up a sign ‘STOP THAT SQUIRREL!’
When snow starts to fall, badger and the rest of the animals search desperately for nuts but to no avail.
Meanwhile Scout is busy baking and being delighted with her delicious-looking cake, she calls out, offering some to her friends. Suddenly she sees the sign and a horrible realisation dawns. Time to show the others what being a friend really means …

Lucy’s illustrations and Smriti’s rhyming tale show and the final line says, ‘… nuts taste the best when you share them around.’ That applies to so many other things too, something one hopes that young listeners will take from the book.

A Dinosaur Lives In Our Shed
Kaye Umansky and Pippa Curnick
Alison Green Books

Supposing a little dinosaur unexpectedly followed you home from the park, what would you do? The children in this story fed him and put him in the shed overnight. Thereafter they gave him cuddles, read him stories

and took him on excursions to the seaside and into the woods.

Then one day the dinosaur gave an almighty ROOOOAAAAR!!! and became so sad he didn’t want to go out with the children. What could be wrong. they wondered and then light bulb moment: he was missing his mum. But where was she? The concerned humans put up posters around the locality – not lost ones but found. After waiting a day and a night the children heard noises outside, so they thought. Could it possibly be …
The following morning when they look in the shed, what do they discover …

Kaye Umansky’s rhyming text in combination with Pippa Curnick’s uproarious illustrations full of fun details make this a book that will amuse young children and adult sharers alike.

Children of the Throne

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Children of the Throne
Joseph Coelho and Richard Johnson
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Three children are called from their tower block home to a hidden world beneath. They listen to a story of a tree-grown man explaining how things have changed, greatly endangering the world. It’s the hottest day of the year and already golden brown leaves are drifting down from the trees, the birds cannot find the food to fly and the worms can’t penetrate the surface of the baked-hard ground.

As they listen, they hear that the trees have been duped by the unseasonal heat and think it’s autumn. Meanwhile the grown-ups, delighted by the hot summer, are unconcerned and continue their polluting actions.

The wise tree-grown man puts a crown on each young narrator’s head, telling them “You have the magic now … to make this madness end.” Still though the adults ignore what they hear. Frustrated, using their magic and playing a ‘tune of change’, the three call forth the other children and they all work together,

watched by the amazed adults. Impressed by what they see, they wake up and start to play their part by replacing the burning fossil fuels with other means of generating power as well as trying to eliminate waste-producing systems. In this way, they hope the children’s future will be protected.

Jospeh’s powerfully moving and ultimately hopeful poetic narrative is complemented by Richard Johnson’s stunning luminescent scenes. Let’s hope that young readers/listeners will be inspired by the message that big changes start with small individual actions which can grow into community efforts.

It’s Really, Really Not Fair

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It’s Really, Really Not Fair
Angie Morgan
Otter-Barry Books

Nothing in her life is fair according to Polly. She wants to fly like a pigeon, climb a mountain, dig her way to Australia and paint the house, but her Mum says no to them all. “It’s REALLY, REALLY NOT FAIR!” Polly shouts, stamping and stomping. Instead of all these outlandish ideas, Mum suggests her daughter should eat her fish fingers; but Polly has now decided that she hates them

and starts screaming very loudly. Finally she’s all screamed out and it’s then she hears a loud noise on the opposite side of the garden gate. It appears that the little boy next door is prone to screaming too. Shock horror.

Mum excuses his behaviour by saying it could be because he’s tired. This prompts Polly to feel tired too and look forward to tomorrow and some more crazy notions. Fortunately Mum is on hand to come up with an acceptable counter suggestion before Polly falls fast asleep.

Angie Morgan’s insightful story, which explores the idea of fairness with gentle humour, will resonate with parents and carers; young listeners will be introduced to the notion that not getting what you want doesn’t mean that it isn’t fair. Polly’s melodramatic behaviour is brilliantly portrayed as she learns that important life lesson.

The Other Side of the Rainbow

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The Other Side of the Rainbow
Beatrice Blue
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Like many young children, Lucien is very cautious about change. He worries about such things as trying new foods, the first day of school and making new friends.

One night a very strong wind blows open a window in his room extinguishing the flames in the fireplace. Having closed the window, he notices a glowing ember, a tiny spark that suddenly starts to move and change into something new. The flame introduces itself as Seraphin and asks Lucien if he’d like to accompany him to see the spring flowers. Somehow Lucien finds himself following him outside into the sparkling rain where there are small, friendly playful creatures. Seraphin draws the boy onwards showing him all the colours of a rainbow that they move across towards the summer. In fact during his day with Seraphin, Lucien journeys through all four seasons. He sings and dances in summer, on into autumn, the time of transformation – ‘ending and starting at the same time’.

Eventually as they sit together, the flame says, “It’s time for me to go now, Lucien.” Having explained that everything must change to make way for new adventures, Seraphin leaps into the sky for now his work is done – Lucien understands the vital need for change. Back home he goes with his memories, excited about new possibilities and new adventures.

Joyful and reassuring, this is a story to share with all young children, not just those scared of change. Beatrice Blue’s illustrations bubble over with magic and movement, almost overwhelming the senses.

Old MacDonald on the Move

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Old MacDonald on the Move
Philip Ardagh and Maria Karipidou
Walker Books

Philip Ardagh has taken the popular nursery rhyme and twisted it hither and thither to create a zany new version.

Nothing, it seems, is going right for Old MacDonald, (now an aging fellow) when his beloved farm starts crumbling before his eyes. First it’s the leaking barn roof. So to save his cows from the continual drip, dripping, he takes them off to a grand hotel for a couple of weeks while he attends to the leak. Next, the pigsty begins to sink, so the pigs are taken to join the cows, followed not long after by the loss of the hen coop.

Then the creek runs dry so, on account of no water and thus no grass, the sheep too are taken to become hotel guests.

Back at the farm Old MacDonald looks around. Enough! he decides. He puts the farm up for sale and moves out forthwith. Now, where will they all live … It’s in their happy ever after home. E-I-E-I-O!

Young children will delight in joining in with the animal sounds and repeat refrains, as well as watching the drama unfold in Maria Karipidou’s hilarious, contrasting scenes of the farm and the hotel. Look out for the mice and their diverting antics.

Little Bad Wolf

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Little Bad Wolf
Abie Longstaff and Leire Martin
Happy Yak

This is not so much a fractured fairytale more a fairytale prequel.
We first meet the wolf – Baby Wolf – as a cute looking creature but with the habit of gobbling up anything that makes him cross. This distresses his mother and also on his first day at school, the teacher and fellow pupils. Needless to say Wolfie does not get the Star Pupil badge at the end of the week.
The following week though, our lupine resolves not to eat anything annoying, the result being he’s Star Pupil that Friday. His Dad is especially proud and makes Wolfie a swishy red cloak onto which is stitched a golden heart. Almost immediately Wolfie gets blueberry jam on the cloak’s hem.

One lunchtime the cloak disappears and who should arrive the next day but Little Red; guess what she was wearing. Wolfie is certain the garment is his but Little Red comes up with reasons why it’s hers

and this makes him want to revert to his old ways, but the teacher grabs him just in time. Little Red is absent the day after: she’s moved to Australia, so the teacher tells Wolfie who thinks he’ll never regain his cloak.

Years pass, Wolfie grows big and and stops (more or less) consuming annoying things. Then who should appear in the woods but a considerably larger Little Red, still wearing the cloak. “Everyone calls me Little Red Riding Hood now, because of my famous cloak,” she announces, going on to tell Wolfie that she’s off to visit Granny. Now, thinks Wolfie, this is my opportunity to find out if Granny really did made the cloak so he dashes off beating Red to Granny’s abode

and stows her safely away. Rather than spoil this hilarious story, that’s where I’ll leave things.

This is a great read aloud: when I shared it with a five year old relation, her ten year old brother stopped what he was doing to listen in, transfixed by the story even though he couldn’t see Leire Martin’s dramatic portrayals of the action with their fun details.

Mama’s Special Wonton Soup

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Mama’s Special Wonton Soup
Wai Mei Wong and Xin Yue Zhu
Lantana

This story is set in Southern China and begins with Mama announcing to her young daughter that she’s going to make wonton soup for supper that night and asking the girl to go to the market for some meat. Eagerly the child sets off, empty basket in hand and on her way she passes villagers who are already busy at work. What kind people they are: one gives her radishes, another some shrimps, her Grandma gives some sweet persimmons and her aunt gives a hug. Each time she stops the same words are exchanged: “zǎo ān” (Mandarin for “good morning”) and “xiè xiè” (thank you), except that is, when the girl pauses to splash in puddles and later tries using a stick to turn a toad into a prince.

At the meat stall in the market, the girl purchases the special meat her Mama requested and also receives a bone for the family puppy.

Back home once more the chid narrator gives Mama the unexpectedly heavy basket and tells her about how she came by the additional items. “I have an idea,” she then announces and dashes off back to the village to invite various villagers to come and partake of Mama’s tasty meal.

Wai Mei Wong’s charming tale of a warm-hearted village community is portrayed in earthy hues by Xin Yue Zhu whose scenes amplify the kindness of everyone.

A feel-good tale and a reminder of the importance of caring and sharing.

Harry and the Heron

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Harry and the Heron
Wendy Meddour and Merle Goll
Oxford Children’s Books

Elsie, Clive and Harry are otters and we first meet the playmates as they practise keeping still by pretending to be logs. This is easy for Elsie and Clive but Harry, no matter how hard he tries, just can’t. Just as he’s about to have one more try he spies something in the reeds and asks the others what it is. ‘Just a heron,” Elsie replies urging Harry to lie down again. As you probably anticipate, Harry keeps fidgeting and staring at the static heron.
The heron, Ray, meanwhile stares at the water wondering why he never gets to play with the otters. Feeling left out, he hunches over and lifts one leg out of the water deciding that ‘Feeling a bit left out is probably the worst feeling in the world!”

Along comes Harry waving and calling hello to Ray. He tells the heron his name and how he loves the way he stays so still. Ray in return says he loves how Harry moves so much. They decide to teach one another their respective skills.

Meanwhile Harry’s otter pals rouse themselves and notice Harry with the heron. The tell the bird to leave Harry and drag their friend away, unaware of the effects it will have on Ray. A dejected Ray goes into miserable mode and Harry begs the other otters let Ray play with them. As Clive gives what he thinks is a good reason for refusing, Harry points out something about Ray, something that the other otters can’t argue with and it changes the way all four creatures feel.

A fun story about including everyone in a group activity. I love the wry humour of Wendy Meddour’s telling and Merle Goll superbly expressive illustrations of characters with their similarities and differences. Definitely a book to share and discuss with younger primary readers and in families.

Lulu Moves Home

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Lulu Moves Home
Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw
Alanna Max

There’s soon to be a new addition to Lulu’s family and her parents have decided that their current home won’t be big enough for five people so they need to move.

Mummy has a great packing plan and off they go to buy lots of sticker sheets. Then back indoors they set to work boxing up their things and adding orange stickers to those holding Lulu’s things, green for Zeki’s, yellow for her Mummy and Daddy, blue for the kitchen things and purple for the things belonging in the living room. Mummy also lists the contents of the boxes. Goodness what a protracted process.

However, by the evening virtually everything is packed so it’s fortunate that their upstairs neighbour invites them to share a farewell supper with her.

After breakfast the following morning, everything that will be required straightaway is packed, Mum takes a last minute photo and in come the removal people.
When they reach their new home, all the boxes are waiting and as they contemplate unpacking, their kind new neighbours call bringing dinner.

Then it’s time to begin unpacking and thanks to Mum’s careful planning, all the boxes are where they should be. Lulu puts her important things by her bed before falling fast asleep in her new room.

Another charmer of a story about Lulu et al, and what a brilliant way of organising their move.

The Angel and the Mermaid

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The Angel and the Mermaid
Becky Cameron
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Meet siblings Avery and Mira born one midsummer’s night. Baby Avery was ‘gentle and quiet as the whispering breeze.’ In contrast, baby Mira was ‘as wild and loud as a crashing wave.’ As they grew, despite their differences they spent their days playing together close to their home. However as the days turned to years the siblings become curious about the world and one day Mira suggests they play a game: whoever went the furthest and found the best treasure would be the winner.

Excitedly they begin their quest, Mira diving deep down in the ocean and Avery taking flight to the highest mountain. On their return the two compare treasures and Mira considers her shell the best whereas Avery declares his feather much better.

They squabble and part company but soon begin to miss one another. Suddenly a storm blows in and Mira, concerned for her brother’s safety, determines to find him. Meanwhile Avery is missing his sister too and the thought comes to him that she probably feels the same. Unable to swim, he dives courageously into the waves but starts sinking.

Fortunately a hand stretches out and takes hold of him: it’s Mira, and they give each other sorry, forever friends hugs.

Henceforward no matter where their lives led them, they’d always return home to their special place where sky and sea meet.

An unusual magical tale of two siblings and their unbreakable bond. Becky Cameron’s illustrations are a delight, detailed and capturing the feelings of the siblings beautifully.

Albert’s Bubble Bath / Bert and the Bubble

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Albert’s Bubble Bath
Mark McKinley
Oxford Children’s Books

Albert the bear is a grumpy character but there’s one thing that makes him feel good. No it’s not picnics, nor fishing, and definitely not singing around a campfire: it’s relaxing in a bubble bath. However, Albert’s bubble bath is the envy of the forest creatures and they’re keen to try it too. Albert though, is certainly not going to allow this and makes it quite clear with the signs he puts up around his home. When they have no effect he hires top security, again with no effect. The subterranean relocation of the bath fails too. Time to don those thinking specs Albert. After much hard thinking he has an idea of the constructive kind: surely this must work.

Oops! He hadn’t factored in sharp-beaked birds. POP! Albert plus his beloved bath tumble earthwards but the bath gets stuck before reaching the ground. Reluctantly Albert asks for ideas and up steps a beaver. Maybe he and his family can help … Seemingly they do so in more than one way.
With it’s fun finale this is a dramatic story with plenty of giggle-inducing moments that ensure that the learning to share message is imparted lightly.
It makes a satisfying read aloud and should definitely go down well with foundation stage/ KS1 children.

Also about sharing is:

Bert and the Bubble
Kim Hillyard
Ladybird Books

When Bert the frog finds a beautiful shiny bubble he shows it excitedly to his friend, Sandra. Sandra is eager to hold the bubble; Ben agrees but asks she treat it carefully. Pop! That’s the end of the bubble: clearly Sandra wasn’t careful enough. The following day Bert finds another bubble, a bouncy one that Norman wants to play with. ‘Yes”, Bert says, “But please bring it back.” But Norman fails to do so. Poor Bert is starting to think his bubble luck has run out when down floats the biggest bubble in the world.

So eager is Bert to keep this one safe that he goes to great lengths to protect it. Determined not to share this time, he builds a fort and locks himself and the bubble inside. It’s a tight squeeze but Ben remains shut away pondering upon the terrible consequences should he come out.

Suddenly there’s a tapping on the door accompanied by voices calling him to come out, apologising and promising to be more careful in future: it’s his friends. Out comes Bert and out comes the bubble looking bigger than ever. The three frogs have great fun playing with it all afternoon and just as Bert is thinking he’s having the best time ever …

However now Bert’s reaction is somewhat different. He’s clearly learned that when it comes to friendship and bubbles, one is definitely way more important than the other.
An amusing, learning to share story with funny froggy scenes at every turn of the page.

A Totally Big Umbrella

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A Totally Big Umbrella
Sarah Crossan and Rebecca Cobb
Walker Books

Tallulah hates the rain; it spoils things for her and after a downpour she dashes inside to her Grandma and asks to borrow her umbrella. Grandma says that the rain has stopped, but Tallulah explains that if it starts again, ‘her life will be ruined’. The girl insists on carrying around the brolly no matter what. However, walking about clutching an umbrella presents Talulah with challenges aplenty, outside, in the classroom and at home.

Nevertheless, back she goes to Grandma, still very concerned and her Gran finds her a larger umbrella and a teapot. Talullah’s worrying continues and so does her brolly carrying.

Then comes the day of Grandma’s party and guess what; down comes heavy rain. Up goes Talulah’s umbrella and she takes cover. However, nobody else seems to be particularly bothered by the downpour.

A realisation dawns: maybe squelchy rain-soaked parties can be fun after all and her constant worrying about the rain means that she’ s missing out on so much.

A sensitively written story infused with gentle humour that is ideal for sharing with young children who will see how it can take some time to overcome anxiety, be it about rain or something else. Sharing ones feelings with a trusted adult or friend is the best way to help manage them. Rebecca Cobb’s portrayal of the endearing Tallulah and her emotional learning journey are truly captivating: I love the range of view-points she has used.

Little Snail Goes House-Hunting

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Little Snail Goes House-Hunting
Bia Melo
Happy Yak

Little Snail is an ordinary little snail living in Snail Garden in an ordinary house. Despite loving her large family, Little S sometimes feels rather different and consequently wants to try something different too. She decides to go house-hunting and off she goes hither and thither trying out different life styles, Her first idea is to try living like Frog; yes Frog’s house has its own swimming pool but Little S finds it’s far too wet.

An upside-down house like the bats doesn’t suit her either, nor does the countryside where she feels a tad stuck and as for a house share – that’s a definite no on account of the crowd. Transformational living is another no thank you, as is an underground abode.

Off goes Little S to pay a visit to her aquatic cousins with their variety of houses and even after trying so many different ones, none of them feels like home. A realisation takes place

and back she goes towards Snail Garden in her perfectly sized, perfectly shaped house and there her appearance proves inspirational..

Young children will love following Little Snail as her quest takes her far and wide and will be much amused at the final outcome of her travelling. The story is illustrated with zany humour in Bia Melo’s bright, textured, patterned scenes.

Thank You, Old Oak

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Thank You, Old Oak
Britt Crow-Miller and Amy Schimler-Safford
Barefoot Books

Old Oak has flourished in the forest for more than 400 years but now it’s tired and one morning just as Owl has settled into his hole, down she crashes sending him skywards. Then all manner of forest creatures – squirrels, moths and butterflies,

rabbits, possum, deer and black bears gather to show appreciation for the food and shelter Oak has provided over the years. Indeed every branch in the forest is also crowded ‘with noisy nuthatches, blue jays, and thrushes, each crooning a call of gratitude, creating a symphony of crowing, whistling and lively trills.’ All these and more are shown in Amy Schimler-Safford’s mixed media textured illustrations.

Yes, that might be the end for her rooted life but in other ways it’s another beginning. Old Oak still has a key role bringing new life: trees growing nearby gain strength from her minerals, animals of various kinds feast on her trunk and come the spring rains, her softened logs help young mosses and ferns to grow (nurse logs, they’re called, so the information after the story tells us).

It’s wonderful to see a whole new generation of oak seedlings (Old Oak’s legacy), planted by forest animals starting to grow as sunlight fills the earth that Old Oak once shaded.

A moving story that also contains a considerable amount of information about oak trees. Well worth getting for family bookshelves and primary class collections.

The Remembering Candle

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The Remembering Candle
Alison Goldberg and Selina Alko
Barefoot Books

This is a beautiful book that teaches young children about the Jewish tradition, Yahrzeit, for remembering lost loved ones. Herein, with a small boy acting as narrator, we join a Jewish family on the anniversary of Grandpa’s death one year ago.. They are observing the tradition of yahrzeit by lighting a candle in honour of his memory. The candle burns from one sunset to the next and during this time the various family members share the wonderful memories they have of him.

Each of their reminiscences links to something Grandpa used to enjoy: looking through a telescope at the night sky, and being shown Orion in the summertime is recalled by the boy;

this prompts him to start creating a memories collage and his sisters joins in making images of Grandpa’s hats. These hats are also remembered by Mum and Aunt Sara who joins the others for lunch bringing one of Grandpa’s favourite desserts to share.

Then Mum sits at the piano and recalls how she and Grandpa used to play duets. All the while the candle burns, then come nighttime again they gather to watch it go out. Yes, there is sadness but Grandpa’s memory still remains bright in their hearts and minds.

Alison Goldberg’s poignant tale shows so well how the ritual and the memories help the family to deal with their grief and Selina Alko’s sensitive, beautifully crafted collage illustrations wherein she uses white dots to great effect throughout, enhance the family’s feeling of connection to the memorial custom and one another.

(After the story are notes from both author and illustrator and information about Yahrzeit, Jewish Memorial traditions and the Jewish Calendar.)

Fox and the Mystery Letter

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Fox and the Mystery Letter
Alex G Griffiths
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

There’s a clue on the cover as to the sender of the mystery letter Fox receives as he sits alone in his cottage in the middle of a forest. He’s just sat down to breakfast when there’s a knock at the door; it’s a mail bird with a letter for him sent special delivery. It’s ages since Fox has received any post, his last being from … he pushes the thought away and opens the letter. It’s something of a puzzle and instructs him to head to the forest path to begin his journey and is signed ‘from an Old Friend’. After musing on the message he decides to take a quick look at the first clue, so he packs a few things in a bag and sets out, telling himself he’ll come straight back.

Soon he comes upon a fragment of a map and an arrow marked on the ground. He follows the direction of the arrow and the next one, eventually seeing a moose sitting by a campfire waiting. The Moose says, “I have a little gift for you,” handing him a box but refusing to say who it’s from.

Instead he gives Fox a clue – a photograph – and off goes Fox again in a northerly direction as indicated by the compass also in the box.

Come nightfall, after journeying, over land and water and another encounter –

with a Mole this time – Fox is sure he knows the sender of the letter and despite memories he’d been continually pushing to the back of his mind, he finally hears the gentle voice of his dear friend with whom he’d quarrelled so long ago. It had taken a treasure trail to bring him to face his ursine pal and resolve whatever they’d fought about.

Illustrated in Alex Griffiths’ characteristic detailed pen and ink drawing style, coloured in predominantly earthy hues, this is a story of friendship, forgiveness and revealing your true feelings. Sharing this with a KS1 class could lead to some interesting discussion.

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

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The Enchantment of Golden Eagle
Margaret Wild and Stephen Michael King
Allen & Unwin

Ella and her younger brother, Leif, live with their father in a small village at the edge of a forest. One day the siblings discover a fledgling Golden Eagle with a broken wing. They take it home and with their father’s help, they care for it for seven days and seven nights. With its wing mended, the bird is then ready to fly away but despite having looked longingly skyward, the bird promises to remain with them.

After a while their father is called away and it’s then that the Golden Eagle senses the wind calling and decides to take to the air – ‘just for a moment’. While he’s gone, the children are very frightened.

They tell the eagle that when he returns some time later and Ella even pushes him away when he tries to enfold them in his wings, cursing him thus, “You will fly without stopping for a year and a day.” Off he flies through all kinds of weather, longing for a rest, for the chirping of other birds and for warmth from a wing.

Eventually, completely exhausted the eagle drifts home once more and is greeted by Leif. As they face one another, eagle and Ella, the girl says that the curse wasn’t real and apologies are made. The three celebrate that night and Ella imagines the future when the Golden Eagle is once again well and strong, ‘larking about in the sky as all birds do.’

This is a multi-layered story that can be interpreted in many ways depending on the reader. Stephen Michael King’s wonderful ink and watercolour illustrations of Lief, Ella and their world work in harmony with Margaret Wild’s text with its themes of letting go, forgiveness and appreciation.

The Great Nut Hunt

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The Great Nut Hunt
Karl Newson and Nia Havilliard
Scholastic

Squirrel has spent a lot of time and energy collecting nuts, so much so that his home is full and he has to stash lots of them around in the woods. But then he realises that he’s completely forgotten where they are. Off he goes to Bear’s cave; maybe he’s left them there. Bear is fast asleep but is disturbed by Squirrel’s intrusion as he grabs a case in his paws and beats a hasty retreat. Anticipating a breakfast of nuts, Squirrel opens the case only to discover a sock.

Off he goes again on his nut search, next stop Owl’s. Owl seems to be out so up the tree goes Squirrel, ‘Sneakily, Sneakily, Snoopily …’ Squirrel makes off with a sack of … nuts, he expects. But …

Beaver’s dam is his third possibility but there are no nuts there either. Squirrel is by now looking so down in the dumps, his friends ask if he’s OK. Squirrel apologies for being a bad friend but the other animals respond by offering to join the nut hunt. They look in lots of possible places but of a nut there’s no sign. Suddenly Owl realises what has happened to all the nuts Squirrel buried. Can you guess what is revealed?

Karl’s rhyming text bounces along in dialogue form and in combination with Nia Havilliard’s dramatic scenes of the search and animal interactions, makes for a fun read aloud, one I’d suggest saving for the autumn to share with young children.

Funnily enough my partner pointed out three saplings growing in the front garden our home yesterday. “Those are black walnuts buried by squirrels and unfortunately are totally unsuitable to grow where they’ve been planted, less than a metre from the front wall of the house,” he said.

The Snappy Shark

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The Snappy Shark
Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen
Scholastic

It’s not a good day for Mark the shark.When he plays with his friends nothing goes right be it during the hide-and-seek game,

the painting session or the shell hunting. Eventually he swims off in a big huff and goes into a cave, overwhelmed by his feelings.

Alone now, Mark has time to think and he recalls how his inability to keep his temper in check has upset his pals. Several slow, deep breaths later, Mark feels a lot better and ready to apologise to his playmates for his snappiness. “I’ll NEVER snap again,” he promises but suddenly a large fishing net entraps them all. Now Mark has a dilemma: to snap or not to snap …

Fortunately for all, he makes the right decision and henceforward he’s a ‘brand-new fish’ safe in the knowledge that he has a strategy to use whenever he starts feeling stressed and tempted to snap. Moreover his friends know the perfect game they can all enjoy together.

All children feel overwhelmed by their feelings from time to time and the calming strategy Mark used in Michelle’s fun rhyming narrative is one that any youngster should learn to do.

Hangry

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Hangry
Kathryn Wanless and Fred Blunt
Templar Books

Whenever Evangeline feels hunger pangs she gets grumpy. This is a frequent occurrence: it happens when she wakes up but once she’s had a snack, she feels better again albeit only temporarily. After breakfast as she heads to school all is well: Evangeline is a happy girl but come lunchtime, those rumbles return and once again she’s HANGRY! Woe betide anyone who crosses her path.

Hunger satisfied again after consuming her packed lunch, Evangeline enjoys the afternoon session, yet when school is over for the day back comes that HANGRY monster. Her poor mother has to put up with her demands to know when dinner will be ready, which of course delays things monstrously. Can a snack sate her monstrous appetite?

Told through Kathryn Wanless’s jaunty rhyming text and Fred Blunt comical scenes of what we’re led to believe is a typical day in the life of young Evangeline, this zany story will resonate with parents of many young children and those they share the book with will likely find they see themselves in Evangelina, when they have rumbly tummies.

Perfect Pedro

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Perfect Pedro
Simon Philip and Ella Okstad
Oxford Children’s Books

Meet Pedro, he’s a perfectionist. His toys are always perfectly organised, his name perfectly spelled, he plays only perfect dings on his triangle and performs perfect somersaults. However despite all this, there’s something lacking in his almost perfect life. He doesn’t have the perfect friend and he really needs one soon as the school talent show is imminent and for that he wants a perfect partner.

Step forward Poppy one playtime. At first everything she does is perfect and then Pedro is invited to play at Poppy’s home after school one day. All starts perfectly but soon things deteriorate. Poppy’s chip eating disgusts Pedro and despite being too polite to comment at first, eventually he shouts out, “Your manners aren’t perfect at all!”. Poppy retaliates pointing out that his are equally imperfect.

Nevertheless the pair have a show to rehearse and this they are determined, will be performed to perfection.. Errr! looks as though this might not be the case. PIC Pedro decides that they should each do their own routine and Poppy stomps off in a huff.

Back at home Pedro practises into the night and as a consequence is tired and edgy the following day. Up steps Poppy to do her routine; it’s not perfect but a crowd-pleaser nonetheless. Then comes Pedro, starting perfectly but then OOPS!

Now what? Can Poppy perhaps save the day? Possibly, so long as Pedro can finally embrace imperfection …

Ella Okstad’s characters are a joy and the inherent message in Simon Philip’s pitch perfect text is an important one. Every child deserves a friend as perfectly imperfect as Poppy. After all no-one is perfect and too many children from far too young an age worry about their imperfections, which after all, are part of what makes everyone unique.

A perfectly delightful story to share and discuss at home and in EYFS/KS1 classrooms.

No, I’m a … Flamingo!

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No, I’m a … Flamingo!
Catharine Robertson and Ana Gomez
Happy Yak

Like many three and a half year olds, the little girl narrator of this story only ever wants to wear one particular item of clothing. In this case a pink flamingo onesie. I had a relation who at the same age insisted on wearing what she called her fruit shorts wherever she went.

Our narrator’s patient Dad suggests that as it’s very hot, she should put on her elephant T-shirt. You can guess the response. A panda themed offering is similarly rejected. So, he tries clothes depicting a different sort of bird – a penguin, or a puffin perhaps?

“NO, I’M A FLAMINGO! I only wear pink.” comes the reply.

Now this Dad knows something about flamingos that his little daughter does not. At her age, flamingos are grey and only turn pink when they’re older. Time to find that old grey T-shirt.

Suddenly the little girl is a flamingo no longer so Dad quickly produces some jazzy shorts. Dad might know more about flamingos but our narrator is a creative thinker … Will they ever leave the house and if so, what will that little girl be wearing?

The combination of Catherine Robertson’s text that takes the form of the dialogue between father and daughter and Ana Gomez’s disarmingly charming scenes will ring true with many adult sharers whereas young listeners will find the little girl’s choice entirely logical and delight in the final twist to the tale.

Frank is a Butterfly

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Frank is a Butterfly
Alex Latimer
Oxford Children’s Books

The story starts with ten caterpillars of various shapes and sizes all munching on a leaf for breakfast. There are caterpillars small, caterpillars large, caterpillars short, caterpillars long, hairy caterpillars and hairless ones and nine have a spotty and stripy pattern of some kind. The tenth one, Frank is brown and bears no distinctive marks. In between nibbles the nine talk of the kind of butterfly they will morph into. One says ‘magnificent’, another ‘handsome’, a third the prettiest … on Earth’, the fourth ‘fabulous’ and so on. Frank, in contrast says nothing; he’s ‘happy to be a plain, medium-sized caterpillar on a leaf in the sunshine.’it’s not long before the caterpillars turn into chrysalises to await their transformation.
When they emerge from their chrysalises, despite looking gorgeous, nine of the butterflies are thoroughly dissatisfied with their appearance: they definitely do not live up to their expectations.

Finally Frank appears and he’s elated with his plain strong brown wings that will enable him to take to the air: he anticipates a world of flowers.

After some time, thanks to Frank’s positive example,

the other butterflies realise that what is more important than appearance is being free to explore the beauty around them without that nagging feeling that you’re not enough.

Alex’s richly hued scenes have a gentle humour about them that ensures that the important messages about self-acceptance and self-possession in his words don’t weigh heavy.
(After the story there’s a page showing Frank’s life cycle from egg to butterfly.)

A book for family bookshelves and KS1 class collections.

Paul the Peacock (Reluctantly) To the Rescue

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Paul the Peacock (Reluctantly) To the Rescue
Tilly Matthews
Happy Yak

Time was Paul the Peacock was the most egotistical creature in the forest but recently he’s endeavouring to live up to his new persona as Mr Nice. It’s exhausting however and he longs for a brief spell of peace and quiet. While snatching a few relaxing moments alone, his slumbers are disturbed by the arrival of a letter. This he throws away without bothering to open it and continues snoozing, albeit briefly, for a few minutes later, there is Norris clutching the now opened letter and looking very worried. The letter is from Paul’s cousin Connie the Peahen far away and Paul’s help is urgently required.

Immediately Norris packs their bags and off they sail to save the day, After a testing journey over stormy waters, through a horrendously hot deserts, up the side of a bubbling volcano they eventually reach the forest. Now to find Connie. The local creatures are unhelpful but then a gorilla appears and points to the direction in which Connie lives. Or does she? All they discover when they reach the spot is one egg in an abandoned nest. Norris begins a series of attempts to get the egg to respond. They’re on the point of giving up and returning from whence they came when the egg cracks revealing a perfect peachick.
At Norris’s insistence Paul agrees that after he’s rested they should take it home with them.

Norris goes to find the best route and Paul convinces himself that he’s been left by his best pal. Not by Chick though: the fluffy creature has already become a Paul devotee.

Next morning with the three of them reunited, they prepare for the homeward journey. Suddenly Connie appears whereupon Paul decides that he and Norris have one final task before their departure …
Thanks to Chick, Paul has learned that caring has something to offer even the most selfish animal.

A droll telling that carries vital messages about loving and caring and the environment, with some deadpan comic incidents theatrically portrayed in Tilly Matthews’ scenes.

How to Tame a Mummy Monster

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How to Tame a Mummy Monster
Rochelle Falconer
Oxford Children’s Books

Siblings Ruby and Junie are perpetual bickerers. They argue over breakfast, they pick a fight over a pencil (albeit a special one) and come to blows over clothes. “You two are acting like cheeky monsters! How would you like it if I was a monster all day?” their Mum says. The bickerers dismiss this as an impossibility.

However, they are so sure of this that they don’t notice that their Mummy has indeed morphed into a huffing, fluffy-tailed, horned being, one that gobbles up their favourite snacks.

Not only that but Mummy Monster starts using Ruby’s special pencil,

trying on the sisters’ clothes and generally creating havoc: a taste of their own medicine indeed and enough is enough. They really need to turn Mummy Monster back into nice Mummy and as soon as they possibly can. Of course, to do this they’ll need to set aside their own silly squabbles and find their affable selves again.

Rochelle Falconer’s debut picture book is imbued with humour, engaging and shows the ups and downs of family life. Young children will love the drama and the story’s denouement.