Category Picture Books

You Stole My Name

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You Stole My Name
Dennis McGregor
Blue Star Press

Through stunning illustrations with details meticulously painted and four lined poems, Dennis McGregor introduces readers to sixteen pairs of animals that share names but not anatomy..

Similarities and/or differences are highlighted, depending on which animal voice is speaking. Thus, fish and fowl share rainbow hues but the parrotfish that speaks flies through the sea whereas the parrot it addresses flies through the skies, something the fish envies.

In contrast, the Cowbird comments in alliterative style, ‘Fashion choices I prefer / feature feathers over fur.’ when talking to the black and white cow upon whose back it perches.

In the opening poem the Kangaroo and the kangaroo rat have much in common and so the marsupial doesn’t mind that the little rodent shares its name. Turn the page and thereon the chicken is rather less enthusiastic about sharing her name with the predatory chicken hawk.

Next, addressing the catfish through the glass of its tank, a moggy comments somewhat resentfully thus: ‘You don’t meow or even purr. / You have no paws, you have no fur. / I guess it’s whiskers we can blame / for the stealing of my name.’

A book that will appeal most to both art lovers and animal enthusiasts from around seven years old.

Ice Journey of the Polar Bear

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Ice Journey of the Polar Bear
Martin Jenkins and Lou Baker-Smith
Walker Books

This addition to the excellent Protecting the Planet series is written by conservation biologist, Martin Jenkins. In this book, the author has deftly woven into his narrative the crucial importance of conservation: like those written by Nicola Davies, as well as a story, this is a rallying cry to youngsters to act as stewards for our precious plant and its wildlife now and for future generations.

Here we follow an adult polar bear as she undertakes an arduous and challenging journey

through a stunningly illustrated Arctic landscape during which she gives birth to twin cubs, one male, one female.

During her travels it becomes alarmingly evident to us, the readers, how climate change has negatively impacted, not only upon the polar bears but upon the Arctic environment. This means that the future for these cubs, which we hope will survive to become awesome animals like their mother, is an uncertain one.

As the author says in a note at the end of the story, ‘as the climate warms the bears are now spending more time on land than before. So far they seem to be coping and polar bear numbers are keeping quite steady, but as things get worse the population will probably start to decrease.’ This underscores the vital importance of our role as individuals and communities.

An important book to add to KS1/2 classroom collections and family bookshelves.

The Biggest Mistake

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The Biggest Mistake
Camilla Pintonato
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

“It’s time for you to catch a gazelle on your own.” So says Papa Lion to his cub one morning. Having located his prey, the little lion convinced that his task will be easy, hides behind a bush, waits and leaps. However, the gazelle escapes. Little lion tries again … and again

but none of his strategies are successful. His prey escapes every time and to make matters worse the other gazelles gather to laugh at his attempts.

Ashamed, with his ego dented, the little lion hides away leaving gazelle basking in her triumph. A triumph that is short lived however as it soon gives way to boredom.

The gazelle hunts for a long while for the little lion but her search is unsuccessful until at sunset, she spies him.. She creeps closer and closer but now it’s her turn to make a mistake , a very big one and she’s captured. Is this the end for the nimble creature?

A tongue-in-cheek tale with a fun final twist, deftly translated from the original Italian by Debbie Bibo. With a focus on the animals’ movements, Camilla Pintonato’s bold. dramatic illustrations use the creatures’ eyes to great effect, ensuring that young humans stay engaged and amused throughout.

We Could Fly / Is This Love?

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We Could Fly
Rhiannon Giddens and Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Walker Books

As a mother and daughter sit together outside on the edge of a wood, the child looks up and points out a sparrow that she sees. Why can’t I fly like the sparrow, she wants to know. Her mother then speaks of Granny Liza and how she used to fly every night, searching for the promised land.

The trembling that the child feels through her arms, her mother tells her is like a connection to her grandmother. The two continue talking until the child says that she feels it’s time for them both to
join the journey and together they take flight, searching for the promised land far away across the ocean.

After the lyrical verses and stunningly beautiful skyscapes and landscapes, we read the author’s note wherein she reveals her inspiration came from the final story in the classic folktale collection, The People Could Fly, retold by Virginia Lee Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

A mesmerising book, wonderfully warm that deserves to be shared widely.

Is This Love?
Bob Marley adapted by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Alea Marley
Chronicle Books

This new title in the series based on the lyrics of iconic reggae musician, Bob Marley, is again adapted by his eldest daughter, Cedilla. Here, she uses the repeat refrain of his song “Is This Love” to tell a story of sibling love.

We meet the siblings when the younger one is not long born and follow their loving relationship as they grow and engage in all kinds of shared activities. Big sister acts as a supportive teacher and playmate. Together they enjoy block building, bike riding, building a blanket den and visiting the playground to use the equipment.

Alea Marley’s bold, richly hued scenes have a tropical setting, with both daytime and evening activities being shown, some of which include the entire family, whereas in others we see just the two sisters.

The unique relationship shared by siblings is the key theme, but abiding warm, loving family bonds are also a vital element of this book. A book that can serve as an introduction to Marley’s music for young children, while also making adult sharers feel uplifted and nostalgic. It would make a smashing book to give a family as a welcome to a new arrival.

Always Never Always

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Always Never Always
Meg McKinlay and Leila Rudge
Walker Books

A little girl sets out on an adventure, accompanied by her wind-up duck. As she goes, she follows advice given by an outside voice (or perhaps her own inner one): always follow a secret track and worry not where it might lead; carry useful items including a torch, notebook, fairy wings, a key and be empathetic towards your travelling companion. This last is hugely Important. Each piece of advice in Meg McKinlay’s rhyming narrative begins ‘Always…’ and is followed by the caveat, ‘Never…’

All these are sage recommendations; I particularly like, ‘Never follow all the rules, / for some are surely made by fools.’

Through both words and pictures it comes through loud and clear that during life’s journey, like the protagonist, we should look for the positives and possibilities in things,

be mindful of the needs of others, be open to as yet undiscovered wonders, put aside negativity and remain open to joy.

An inspiring celebration of what the world has to offer, with Leila Rudge’s gorgeously coloured pencil and watercolour illustrations adding the potential for a wealth of stories large and small emerging along the way as you share the rhythmic text with young children, be that at home or in the classroom.

Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year

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Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year
Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
Abrams Books for Young Readers


As a young child, Lila Greer is a fearful individual who resides in a large city with her father, four siblings, three cats and a crow. Little by little she gains confidence in familiar situations but a move to a new town sets her back again, especially starting at a different school and having to get used to another teacher. However. Ms Kern is an empathetic person and tells Lila that she can help by cleaning the chalkboard. Lila accepts the offer and the two chat as they work, till the child feels ready to speak of her worries and ‘What Ifs’.


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Time passes and under Ms Kern’s watchful eye, Lila’s self confidence builds and she’s ready to join the other children in the playground. “What if you find friends?” her teacher suggests. And of course, she does. Yes those ‘What Ifs’ return sometimes as Lila reaches adulthood. She too becomes a teacher. That is definitely cause for a visit from the ‘What Ifs’. However, Lila recalls her erstwhile teacher, Ms. Kern

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and how through her kindness, she had enabled the young Lila to find her feet. Who better to emulate as she meets her very first class of children.


Andrea Beaty’s rhyming story in combination with David Roberts’ characteristic watercolour, pen, and ink stylish illustrations show just how powerful the impact of the right teacher at the right time can be for a child. In so doing they have created a wonderful storybook acknowledgement that says thank you to educators wherever they are.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?

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How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Walker Books

If you’ve ever pondered upon the mystery of how Santa manages to go down the chimney, then this might well be the book for you. Countless young children have been spun that yarn over the years and now, frequent collaborators Mac Barnett using an unidentified narrator and artist Jon Klassen, put forward a series of hypotheses concerning his chimney descent, as well as looking at the possible means of entry should the house not have a chimney at all.

Klassen starts with Santa atop a roof, making adjustments: he pulls his belt tight in at the waist while a reindeer holds his jacket. Turn over and we see a mouse-size shrunken figure contemplating entering the chimney’s large opening. However, he might change shape in a different way. becoming super-stretchy so as to enable him to step in one leg after the other.

But supposing he should get stuck? Then what? A hefty kick from one of the reindeer maybe.. And what about all the soot that’s likely to get on his suit? A quick bit of laundry before moving on to his next house, perhaps.

For houses that lack chimneys there’s that well guarded (not) secret regarding the key under the flower pot; alternatively he can transform his shape so he can slide beneath the door or pass through the pipes and out of the tap into the sink. Having gained access things get even sillier. Does he possess the ability to get along with every household dog he meets: that would require a stash of doggy treats secreted about himself, as well as becoming the recipient of a succession of slobbery canine kisses. And what about night vision goggles if the lights are off?

Nothing is certain except that, as we read, ‘Santa goes up the chimney the same way he comes down.’ No conjectures about that though, merely the final assertion, “But I’m so glad he can.’

A splendidly silly seasonal comedy from the partnership that are best known for their droll delights delivered through dead pan words and idiosyncratic illustrations.

Christmas Cobwebs

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Christmas Cobwebs
Pippa Goodhart and Ema Maliauka
Tiny Owl

Pippa Goodhart has written a rather different version of an old Eastern European folktale, The Legend of the Christmas Spider, that is thought to be one of the possible origins of tinsel on a Christmas tree.

Remembering the wonderful, magical times she had at Christmas as a cub, Old Bear resolves to share that Christmas magic with her friends. She gets busy cleaning her home and shooing out the spiders from inside and then turns to the outside, especially the large tree. She decorates it with a twiggy star, berries and rosy apples; then back indoors she bakes and creates a gingerbread house.
With the invitations duly written to all her friends, Old Bear suddenly hears voices. it’s those spiders again, pointing out that they’ve not been invited.

That night, tired from all her labours, Old Bear falls fast asleep right away. Not so those spiders however. They go outside to take a good look at the tree. They scuttle all over it, ‘weaving and winding wondrous webs.’ I love that alliteration and there’s lots more.

Next morning the spiders might have hidden themselves away but the fruits of their labours are evident and when Old Bear looks outside, she is not happy at what she sees on the tree. However there’s no time to do anything before her guests come a-knocking at her door. What do you think their reaction will be?

Just like that magically decorated tree, Ema Maliauka’s illustrations are a joy. So too is that Old Bear discovers the real meaning of Christmas in this tale of acceptance and embracing difference.
A super story to share every year during the festive season.

Santa’s Marvellous Mechanical Workshop / Santa Shark

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Santa’s Marvellous Mechanical Workshop
Vashti Hardy and Katie Cottle
Scholastic


It’s Christmas Eve and Lily has just moved into a new house but it doesn’t feel like home, there’s no food in the cupboards and she hasn’t got a single friend in this neighbourhood.


Acting on her mum’s suggestion to go upstairs and unpack her own things, Lily sets to work. She labels, sorts and organises until it’s almost time for bed. Then at the bottom of a box, she comes upon a wrapped package. Inside is a book but the cover and pages are blank. So it seems, but then a strange tiny creature waves and almost the next thing she knows, Lily is surrounded by snow and is being given warm clothes by the creature who tells her that it’s called Widget and is one of Santa’s elfbots. Moreover, she learns, Santa needs her help.

The bot leads Lily to Santa’s workshop wherein many more elfbots are busy making new toys. This isn’t however, where Lily’s assistance is required. In another section, Santa’s favourite, are all manner of old, broken toys. What’s needed Lily is told, is her imagination.

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Can one little girl, one tiny bot and a lot of ingenuity transform piles of what looks like junk into wonderfully exciting toy inventions?


When asked what she would like in return for her efforts, Lily tells Widget her dearest wish before falling fast asleep on the sleigh. What will next morning bring: sadness at missing Santa’s visit or hope and the envisioning of making a new exciting family home?


I love the combination of creativity and up cycling in this magical seasonal story. It’s perfect for sharing in classrooms especially where there are children recently arrived from different parts of the world, and feeling like Lily as Christmas approaches, whether or not it’s a festival they would celebrate.

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Santa Shark
Mike Lowery
Orchard Books (Scholastic)


Ex-sea-dingly silly, laugh out loud sea-sonal fun is to be found ‘neath the waves in the company of Edgar the shark. It’s late in December and elasmobranch, Edgar, is getting ready to receive a very special guest; it’s none other than Santa Shark. For this he enlists the help of his crab best pal, Lotta. Lotta however has never before heard of Santa Shark so she takes a bit of convincing, but before long she agrees to assist Edgar. As they work together preparing for the visitor, readers are treated to a plethora of puns such as the making of Christmas cods

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and a rendition of “We fish you a Merry Christmas.” However as bedtime draws near, Edgar suddenly has a horrible realisation: there’s no snow. What’s to be done? If there’s no snow, it means no visit from Santa. Can anything cause the desired precipitation? Perhaps the lovely Lotta might have a brainwave …
Dramatic illustrations and a zesty text will amuse both child and adult readers aloud.

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas / ’Tis The Season

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Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas
Matt Tavares
Walker Books

Dasher (the reindeer we met previously in the book named after her) is so impatient she just cannot wait for the big night when she’ll help pull Santa’s sleigh. With just one sleep remaining before Christmas Eve, she’s wide awake with excitement and taking a run, she leaps skyward to investigate the music she’s heard.

Enjoying herself thoroughly, as the music dies away she spies bright lights on the horizon. In her joy, she fails to pay heed to the falling snow and is unable to find the North Star to guide her, so again she takes to the sky, hoping to find something familiar. At last she sees something bright way ahead.

Flying towards the light, she discovers a wonderful Christmas tree in a garden and decides to land to take a rest. There she encounters a small girl. Having admitted to being lost and hungry, she receives, thanks to the child Charlie’s kindness, both food and a means of finding the way back home. This Dasher does, just in time to reach the North Pole where a worried Mama and Santa await.

Then off they go, the reindeer team pulling Santa along on his delivery round, during which Dasher ensures that they stop to leave a special thank you to Charlie.

A gentle story with some tense moments and a happy ending, dramatically illustrated by the author.

’Tis The Season
illustrated by Richard Jones
Nosy Crow

Constructed of thick card, this fold out book will work well with children from around four, right through KS1. Of the twenty four shortish poems included some have a distinct Christmas feel, others are wintry and the whole thing opens into a gorgeous advent calendar zigzag frieze that can be brought out yearly on the first of December.

There are flaps to open on each of Richard Jones’ beautifully illustrated snowy spreads, the first five of which have four poems each, the next has three and the final page has Philip Waddell’s clever What Christmas Is For, the last two lines of which are the hugely pertinent, ‘Christmas is a time for peace – / Forgiving and forgetting.’

Bunnies In A Sleigh / Pink Santa

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Bunnies In A Sleigh
Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle
Walker Books

‘A crazy Christmas story’ announces the cover and , this rhyming tale of disaster averted thanks to the Sunnytown bunny brigade is definitely that. The story begins in Santa’s workshop where the elves have over-indulged on candy canes and consequently are unfit for further duties. It’s Christmas Eve so the Chief Elf is in a real panic for it seems Santa will be sans his little helpers.
Happily though, who should be heading to the rescue on a sleigh pulled by dogs but those bunnies. Just as Santa’s reindeer are preparing to depart on the delivery round, they appear with a leap and a bound right into Santa’s sleigh. Full of the Christmas spirit they surely are.

With a safe landing duly made on a rooftop, the deliveries begin in earnest and a considerable amount of soot is scattered by exuberant leporine leaps and bounds. Then it’s back aboard the sleigh but not for long thanks to a mistimed present sort by Santa that results in a scattering of the bunnies.

Nonetheless, never say never: those bunnies are there to save another sticky situation and the work continues apace as the end of the night draws ever nearer.
How will it all end? Let’s say, Santa is happy with the way things work out. And the bunnies? It’s a case of munching and crunching with the reindeers.

Ben Mantle’s portrayal of the bunnies is full of the Christmas spirit; readers will love perusing each spread and discovering all the small dramas that are unfolding alongside the main storyline.
Anybody for a carrot?

Pink Santa
Tanya Hennessy and Ben Whitehouse
Albert Street Books (Allen & Unwin)

Tanya Hennessy has used as her starting point the classic Clement Clarke Moore poem that begins, ’Twas the night before Christmas’ and with rhyming stanzas, created something inclusive and alternative.
It begins in Santa’s workshop where the work is complete and Santa is ready for the off. Not quite though, for his suit, which is decidedly whiffy, is badly in need of a wash. Rudolph tosses it in the machine, along with some socks, turns the heat up high and … It turns out that the red colour wasn’t fast, for the suit comes out a vivid pink.

Rudolph turns to Mrs Claus for advice but as she and the elves are pondering the pink hue, in comes Santa. However, he’s not in the slightest bit bothered. Let’s do Christmas pink!’ he declares, adding that pink is for girls, boys, elves, toys, Rudolph, tree and of course, himself.

Having ‘pinkified’ everything, off goes Santa and his team, sprinkling pink cheer wherever they go. An exciting change from the traditional red and green hues and one from which Santa learns so he tells his pals back at the Pole after the deliveries are complete, an important lesson: “the best things in life sometimes come from mistakes.” So true. And as for the following year, who knows …

A warm-hearted tale celebrating being flexible in your thinking and being ready to embrace change.
Full of fun details, Ben Whitehouse’s vibrant illustrations match the upbeat mood of the rhythmic telling.

Molly, Olive & Dexter: The Guessing Game / Tiny Owl’s Scary Day

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These picture books are both created by author/artists whose work is well loved by young children: thank you to Walker Books for sending them for review.

Molly, Olive & Dexter: The Guessing Game
Catherine Rayner

In the second of this delightful series featuring residents of a garden oak tree, Molly the hare, Olive the owl and fox, Dexter, the friends are playing a guessing game. Dexter thinks of something and it’s immediately guessed by Molly. Her thought is equally easily guessed by her friends and that leaves Olive to be the thinker. “I’m thinking about TWO things at the same time!” she announces.

Young listeners may well have guessed her ‘think’ at this stage but will enjoy following the fun as Molly and Dexter endeavour to work out the answer prompted by Olive’s clues. Even when she practically tells them, the others can’t get the answer right and consequently they get grumpy until at last … the penny drops. Now everyone is happy and it’s time for the three best pals to enjoy a snooze.

Gentle humour and outstanding illustrations make this a gorgeous book to share with the very young.

Tiny Owl’s Scary Day
Petr Horáček

As dawn approaches, Mummy Owl tells Tiny Owl it’s time for sleep. She though pays no heed to this and despite the possibility of encountering scary things, off she ventures to explore what the day has to offer.

Soon other birds start to chase her; she enjoys the fun but feeling tired, she takes rest by some flowers. It’s there that the first scary thing happens, so away she flies.

The river is her next stop but as she stands on a large stone, Tiny Owl is unaware of being watched. ‘Creep Crack Click Clack’, scary moment number two. Time to take to the air again, in search now of a quiet place.

Resting on a branch along with several other birds feels safe but before long comes scary moment number three.

Accepting that her mother was right about the scariness of the day,Tiny Owl decides to head for home but when she reaches her tree, there is no Mummy Owl waiting to welcome her. Yet another scary moment but this time there is no need to worry; it’s Mummy returning. Where has she been to make her so tired? Having recovered from breathlessness, the two owls snuggle up together until the moon comes up, calling them out into the night sky.

Young children will love following Tiny Owl’s adventure with its alarming encounters, dramatically illustrated in Petr Horáček’s striking illustrations.

King Lion

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King Lion
Emma Yarlett
Walker Books

Being ruler of a kingdom is a lonely task so King Lion decides a friend would relieve his loneliness. His roaring however, only serves to send any potential companions running. So he tries paw waving, smiling and cracking jokes but nobody understands his message. Then feeling lonelier than ever, he climbs right up to the very top of a clocktower – the tallest place in his kingdom – and asks once more if anyone will be his friend. Again all that happens is that his roars, jaws and claws cause terror and misunderstanding. “The King is dreadful,” say his subjects as they rush away to hide leaving their ruler growing ever wilder with sadness, which he expressed as always by roaring.

Then one day, a little girl sees the lion with his alarming characteristics. She though has a feeling that perhaps she understands the creature.

That night she comes up with a very, very brave plan. This she enacts the following morning … There’s no better way to communicate than this child’s way, which is based on experience and understanding, both of which lead to a lesson for the lion and the start of a happy friendship between the two.

Funny, joyful and dramatically illustrated.

Do You Remember?

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Do You Remember?
Sydney Smith
Walker Books

As a mother and child lie in bed in the dark, they take turns to share fond memories. The voices are printed in different colours to enable readers to know who is speaking. “Do you remember …” the mother begins, “when we had a picnic in the field?” What we see are dreamlike watercolour scenes wherein Smith brings to life this treasured time when the child was excited about finding and sharing sweet berries when he and his parents were on a picnic.

The child then recalls the trials and tribulations of learning to ride a bike. We can almost feel the tension of the darkness caused by the loss of power relieved somewhat by Grandpa’s old oil lamp.
The boy now asks, “Do you remember . . . leaving our home behind? We packed up everything we own in our pick-up truck and drove down the motorway, farther than we’d ever been … We were lost.” “Of course I remember,” his mother replies.

A change of landscape is called to mind as the two drive through the city … to where they now are. Changed also is the number of family members for having handed his son a teddybear, the father has stayed behind.

There follow two beautiful wordless spreads and we realise that the move has only just happened for what we see next are partly unpacked belongings about which the mother and son have been reminiscing.

The boy then moves to the window asking, “Can we make this a memory, too?’ As the sun rises he savours the smells and sounds of this new city street and reassures himself that all will be well. “Yes, I will remember this,” he says returning to his mother’s side.

We know not why the father isn’t with them: that is for us to surmise.
A truly touching tale, awesomely told through the fusion of lyrical text and tender illustrations.

A Way to the Stars

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A Way to the Stars
David Almond and Gill Smith
Walker Books

Young Joe wants to find a way to the stars but when he tells his friends they just laugh at him. Not so his Dad though: noticing the responses from those friends, he intervenes offering help.

Together they try all manner of ways to reach the stars, some pretty risky, but with his supportive parent always there to catch him, no harm comes to Joe. Instead they have lots of fun being inventive as they try constructing among other ideas, a tower to climb, building a rocket and fashioning a seesaw.


Refusing to give up – “in your dreams” Joe says as they laugh over their efforts – father and son build a shed, paint the inside with a gorgeous skyscape and fall fast asleep. We share in their thrilling dream as they rise skywards and “danced among the stars … wandered through the heavens,. They spun across the galaxies … and they kept on dancing.” …

All the way to the stars.


I love the way in which Gill Smith’s colour palette moves from the warm autumnal hues of the opening spreads to the midnight blues of the skyscapes towards the end of the story. A truly uplifting tale of resilience from the minute we meet Joe in his bedroom with its planet mobiles and other evidence of his passion and his ambitions.

A Trip to the Top of the Volcano With Mouse / Gotta Go!

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These are both Toon Books an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers – thanks to GMC Distribution for sending them for review.

A Trip to the Top of the Volcano With Mouse
Frank Viva

Mouse and a human have embarked on an expedition few people would contemplate: they are going to climb Mount Etna. Mouse though is much more interested in when there will be a pizza eating opportunity. The entire story is told through speech bubbles and Viva’s striking graphics, and includes a number of non-fiction elements including the necessary climbing equipment and is followed as they start their ascent, by basic information about volcanoes and their structure, plants and animals.

All the while Mouse interrupts with comments relating to the pizza he desires and complaints about the climate conditions.

An enjoyable, satisfying excursion for the climbers and for readers too, especially those with a preference for visual stories or under confident readers of prose. The inspiration for this came from the story creator’s own experience of a Mount Etna climb.

Gotta Go!
Frank Viva

Having assured his mum that he doesn’t need to use the loo before setting off to Grampa’s, ten minutes from their destination Owen looks up from his on-screen game and announces “I gotta go!” Mum offers some advice but the result is thoughts about water-related items. However the boy manages to hold it in until Grampa’s where he makes an immediate dash up three flights of stairs, to the bathroom … ‘Ahhh … “ the relief.

Off they go to the park accompanied by dog, Whizzer. Owen learns why Grampa and other older people get up early and they play a ball game with Whzzer who also pauses to wee against a tree. Grampa and Owen start discussing holding-it tactics. “I find that dancing helps me!” Grampa says and before you can say, ‘wee’, the two of them are going through Grampa’s repertoire of preventative dance moves, including the Tinkle Twist and the Wee-wee Walk, then Owen introduces the Pee-pee Hop, the Piddle Patter and the Leafy Shake.

All the while the queue to use the restrooms is growing ever longer behind them and some of those waiting also try out the moves.

Enter Mum to collect her son; she wonders what is going on and asks Owen if he needs the loo before they leave for home. Once in the car she comments, “Well, that was a great learning experience, wasn’t it?”

I’m sure readers of this comic tale will agree wholeheartedly with that. I’ve yet to meet a child who doesn’t enjoy toilet humour stories and Frank Viva’s with its apt colour palette, is sure to make them giggle from start to finish. I’ve never encountered this author/illustrator before and I wholeheartedly recommend his take on an experience we can all relate to.

Kaia’s Big Felines / Duck, Duck, Tiger / The Kid with Big, Big Ideas

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These are all autumn publications from Beaming Books: thanks to Suzy Senior and the publisher for sending them for review.

Kaia’s Big Felines
Aura Lewis

Like all young children, Kaia has a multitude of feelings and emotions, each of which she associates with a different kind of cat and she loves to play with these creatures in her mind.
She sees herself as fast and fearless like Cheetah, loves to be in the spotlight like Leopard, is sometimes carefree and lighthearted like Puma, quiet and calm like Snow Leopard, and identifies with Tiger’s fierce temper. When her emotions become too intense, she needs to take some quiet time alone to rest and regain her equanimity. After this her friends can return and it’s time for some peaceful shuteye.

A charming, beautifully illustrated book to show youngsters that we experience a variety of feelings and that there are times when we all feel emotionally overwhelmed. A helpful starting point for a KS1 classroom circle time discussion.

Duck, Duck, Tiger
Brittany R. Jacobs

Lila feels out of place all the time, like a tiger in a world full of ducks. She struggles with her feelings of otherness and in order to belong and not be rejected, she hides her true self and tries her best to be a duck. Eventually though, her efforts at pretence take their toll and she can’t cope any more so she decides to confide in her Gran. Gran’s empathetic response is such that it encourages Lila to embrace her true tiger self, to discover what true pride really means for her.

An affirming picture book that uses a feline metaphor was inspired by the author’s childhood experiences. Yes, this boldly illustrated, affirming book is about and based on the acceptance of an LQBTQ+ identity, but the story is equally applicable to those who feel different in any way, offering a safe space within which to talk about feelings of otherness and discuss embracing our unique selves, acceptance, and self-pride.

The Kid with Big, Big Ideas
Britney Winn Lee and Jacob Souva

Listen carefully to children’s ideas is the message that comes across loud and clear from this rhyming story, which begins like this: ‘There once was a kid with glittery nails / who always wore colorful socks, /and all around town, this child was known / for thinking outside of the box.’ Hurrah! a creative, divergent thinker. In this instance a nonbinary child with ideas so big and wild that grown-ups often dismiss them. I love this, “Imagine if everyone was accepted, / with curiosity and an open mind. / And if every place in the world was safe / and every person you met was kind!”
Sadly this child begins to lose heart having overheard a discussion on Gran’s tv news. However Gran is a supportive person and with her encouragement and help, the two of them come up with the biggest idea so far – Just Ask Kids – a programme where people of all ages and stages come together on air and endeavour to solve problems by using their imaginations.

Although things are improving in this respect, children are all too frequently excluded from decision making. We need to be braver and bolder and accept that children’s voices need to be heard; some of their ideas might set our world on the road to real progress. Illustrator Jacob Sousa has used his imagination to great effect in his portrayal of this book’s protagonist and the way in which one community is opened up to change.

The Duck Who Came For Dinner

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The Duck Who Came For Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dreidemy
Little Tiger

It’s the turn of a fluffy little duck to become the guest in team Steve and Joëlle’s fifth in their series featuring animals who came for dinner. This story begins one windy day when Wolf, Hotpot and their crocodile, Omelette are chasing washing that has been blown off the line. Instead of a garment, Wolf catches a duck who now has a wonky wing and a bumped head. The latter has resulted in memory loss, so Hotpot decides that because she fell from a tree, they’ll call the little duck Apple. They invite her so spend the night with them on account of her wibbly wobbliness and after Wolf has given some first aid to Apple’s wing, they all dine on vegetable soup.

Next morning Apple decides to start flying practice, which proves pretty hair-raising and Wolf suggests that a trip to the river might be a better idea than more flying. Determined to show her independent spirit, Apple waddles boldly up the hill

but in her excitement, she fails to stop at the top and ends up dashing right over and splashing into the river, followed almost immediately by Omelette who proves to be the inferior swimmer.

As the days pass, Apple’s wing becomes stronger but to her distress she still can’t fly very far. Then comes another sudden gust of wind whisking away the washing once again. The mention of the word kite gives Apple an idea.

Next day it’s still windy but it’s Hotpot that is whisked away. Who will come to the rescue? And what will this lead to? …

Existing fans of Wolf and Hotpot’s adventures will love this new one; but whether young children are already familiar with their previous stories matters not: with its unconventional little duck, this is an absolute delight.

The Snowman and the Robin

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The Snowman and the Robin
Michael Foreman
Scholastic

Over forty years ago, Raymond Briggs created the The Snowman, which has become a classic. Since then others have added additional layers of seasonal magic to the story and now we have this wondrous tale by Michael Foreman.

On a chilly winter’s evening in a park in London there stands a snowman created by children who have clad him in a striped scarf and old woolly bobble hat. As the snow falls around him, the snowman suddenly hears, “Hey! Mr Snowman! You’re back!” It’s a little robin standing atop a statue, the Snowman discovers having turned his head around with considerable effort. The two strike up a conversation that quickly becomes a friendship as Robin invites the snowman to accompany him on a tour of the city.

We then follow the two on a night of adventure as the robin takes to the wing and the snowman finds his feet. Gliding through Hyde Park they pass the Albert Memorial and Marble Arch, then onwards to other famous London landmarks including Buckingham Palace,

Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s Column, and Big Ben. As the sun rises, their itinerary also takes them to the Millennium Wheel

and it’s there that the snowman notices something, to his eyes the wheel is growing. Robin knows that it’s not the wheel but the snowman that is gradually changing.
His night of wonderment is coming to an end but not before he discovered how absolutely amazing the world is, even if his own existence is short. The last few spreads are truly beautiful and poignant. Foreman’s artistry with words and pictures remained undimmed; indeed here it shines brighter than ever.

This, like its progenitor, is sure to become a classic. Buy to give and buy to keep.

Peter the Cat’s Little Book of Big Words / Get Off Bear!

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Peter the Cat’s Little Book of Big Words
Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew
Graffeg

Do you want to help your child become a logophile or a philomath, or perhaps both? Then try sharing a copy of this compilation by Peter, feline ‘Pawthor’ of this lexicon and a character from the Gaspard the Fox series. Said moggy shares his passion with readers, providing one or more big words for most letters of the alphabet. Each word is accompanied by its meaning and the way it is said on one page and opposite is a full page illustration by James, almost all from the Gaspard series.

Peter’s book is logically arranged in alphabetical order starting with ‘Acclivitous’, meaning rising steeply and going through to ‘Voluminous’ where it ends. Several letters aren’t featured – H, J, K, O, Q, R, T, U although there’s a proliferation of Ps, Cs and Ss.
In my experience, young children love to impress grown-ups by using big words so this book should definitely hit the spot.

Get Off Bear!
Tony Neal
Oxford Children’s Books

The forces push and pull are explored in this simple, fun story. Bear turns down his animal friends’ invitation to join them in building a snowman, saying he wants to go sledging instead. However being on flat ground means that the sledge won’t move. Frog offers to push but Bear is far too heavy and he doesn’t seem aware that the sledge needs to go in a downward direction, which means getting up the hill first.

Even with all the other animals’ combined assistance, their pulling and pushing results in a snapped tow rope and a return to the place from where the co-operative effort began. Is there a way that Bear and all his friends can enjoy a sledge ride even if some of their number need to hone their steering skills?
As always in this series, Tony Neal’s illustrations are bursting with humour.
The final spread offers some force-related activities for adults and little ones to try together.

The Oak Tree

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The Oak Tree
Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy
Alison Green Books (Scholastic)

One thousand years ago, a little acorn began to grow. Through Julia’s characteristic rhyming narrative and Victoria Sandøy’s illustrations we follow a thousand years of changes through the Norman

and Tudors periods, the Victorian age and the 20th century World Wars, as it grows to become a magnificent oak tree in modern times.

A tree that provides food and shelter for a multitude of birds including jays, owls and woodpeckers; and creatures such as squirrels and bats, a king even, until having become hollowed out, it topples in a storm and becomes a place of play for both children and animals

as well as an abode for hedgehogs and somewhere for ants to deposit their eggs, spiders to spin and beetles to scuttle.

That is not the end though, we come full circle as there on the ground beside the fallen oak is an acorn that is just beginning to grow into a new tree.

A clever amalgam of fact and fiction: I love that Victoria always shows this tree as a location where children play happily: her atmospheric pictures capture beautifully, the changing seasons, even in the snowy scene a warmth emanates from her illustration.

Young children will delight in spotting all the creatures mentioned in Julia’s text as they follow the story.

Ready, Steady Squirrel

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Ready, Steady Squirrel
Nicola Kinnear
Alison Green Books, Scholastic

When little Evie squirrel’s Granny is poorly, Evie takes it on herself to collect all the food they need for the long winter. Having consulted the map and wrapped up warm, she sallies forth clutching a huge basket, on her first ever solo squirrelling expedition. Close by she discovers acorns hidden in a tree stump. Into the basket they go as it begins to snow. Then, after a considerable amount of wriggling and attempting to avoid all the prickles, she has collected all the fir cones.

Chestnuts are next, followed by hazelnuts. This involves digging right down into the snow but Evie’s determined to collect every single nut. Now all she needs to do is to push her load home and as she tells herself at every challenge, she doesn’t need help from anyone. It’s an uphill struggle but Evie reaches the hilltop and then decides to have a little rest. Closing her eyes she leans back and …

The next thing she knows is the contents of her basket are scattered every which way. As for Evie, she tumbles all the way back down the hill to land in the midst of her friends. Her response when asked if she’d like to play is tears, followed by the story of how she’s collected everything herself, only to lose it in the snow.

Moose and Woodpecker reassure Evie that help is at hand and operation treasure hunt begins. It’s not too long before, with a brimming basket and a toboggan ride, the little squirrel arrives back home. “We did it together!” she tells Granny.

A warm-hearted tale of determination, friendship and courage, that Nicola has illustrated with elan to match her main character.

This In Not Polar Bear / Ruffles and the cold, cold snow

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Here are additions to favourite Nosy Crow picture book series – thank you to the publishers for sending them for review.

This Is Not A Polar Bear!
Barry Timms and Ged Adamson

No matter what the ursine character looks like, readers are assured that the large white furry creature is NOT a polar bear. What is evident from the outset however – polar bear or not – is that he’s exceedingly versatile and can turn his paws to all manner of activities such as roller skating, violin playing , ski-jumping, high board diving, train driving,

disco dancing and more. Moreover when it comes to keeping a friend safe, helping with a spot of research,

tunnelling for treasure or even saving the world then it’s pretty clear who to turn to: that new and truly astonishing friend who sports a bobble hat and scarf. Should young listeners acquire such a friend, I wonder what name they would give it.

A splendid addition to team Timms and Adamson’s This is not a series which despite its chilly setting, bounces along apace when read aloud and is illustrated with panache in Ged’s vibrant scenes that contain a wealth of humorous details.

Ruffles and the cold. cold snow
David Melling

Playful Ruffles and his teeny tiny kitten pals return in a wintry tale that tests the pooch’s courage to its limits. Like this reviewer, Ruffles does not love the cold, cold, slippery slidey snow, in contrast to his feline friends. They absolutely delight in it until that is, they find themselves buried so deeply they can’t free themselves.

When Ruffles hears their desperate Miaow! Miaow-ings for help, he feels scared:

supposing he too sinks and gets stuck in that snow …
After some thinking, worrying and whimpering, he thinks some more. Can he find sufficient daring to attempt a rescue operation and get the kittens safely back home to the warm indoors?

BRRRR! Definitely one to share snuggled up in the warmth of a nursery or home, preferably with a hot drink.

What You Need To Be Warm

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What You Need To Be Warm
Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

In 2019 Neil Gaiman author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, asked his Twitter followers, ‘What reminds you of warmth?’ He received thousands of replies and from these he composed a freeform poem in aid of UNHCR’s 2019 winter appeal.

The images Gaiman gathered signifying warmth range from clutching a baked potato

to ‘The tink tink tink of / iron radiators /waking in an old house. / To surface from dreams in a bed , / burrowed beneath blankets / and comforters,’ …to ‘the wood burning / in the stove’ .
There is hope though for the poem concludes thus, ‘You have the right / to be here.’
Thirteen artists: Yuliya Gwilym, Nadine Kaadan, Pam Smy, Daniel Egnéus, Beth Suzanna, Marie-Alice Harel, Petr Horáček, Chris Riddell, Bagram Ibatoulline, Benji Davies, Majid Adin,

and Richard Jones each provided an original illustration. Twelve illustrators offered comments printed at the back of the book. Oliver Jeffers created the stirring cover art and this important, compelling book is the result.

A wonderfully warm glow emanates from his cover images: would that such warmth be offered to all refugees and other people displaced of necessity around the world. With both the on-going conflict in Ukraine and now that in Israel and Gaza, its humanitarian message is even more urgent today than it was four years back when the tweet went out.

A donation of £1.55 from each sale of the book in the UK and at least 40p from sales in other territories will be donated to the UN Refugee Agency.

Catch! / Hello Winter

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Catch!
Trish Cooke and Ken Wilson-Max
Alanna Max

This is a delightful story wherein we join Kiona and her Mum playing catch one sunny afternoon. When the little girl finds her ball too big, they try all kinds of other objects such as a berry and an apple

but nothing works for Kiona. Back indoors, Mum offers Kiona an ice cream, but you can guess where it ends up;

even the bubbles at bath time elude the child. Happily though, Mum knows the perfect thing that assuredly her daughter can catch; it’s something that stays with Kiona for ever: what could it be?

A lovely read aloud for preschoolers; it has everything you could ask for: repetition, opportunities to encourage mathematical thinking that can be taken up again when playing outdoors, as well as Ken Wilson-Max’s vibrant illustrations that show Kiona’s changing feelings so clearly.

Yet another example of Alanna Max’s pitch perfect picture books for under fives.

Hello Winter
Jo Lindley
Farshore

The fourth in the Best Friends With Big Feelings series wherein each title is set in the natural world of Season Isle and features four magical friends, the focus being on a different seasonal character.each time. Now it’s time for Autumn to pass the weather crown to Winter but instead he gives it to Spring, saying that the others don’t like playing her frosty, freezing games. Upset, Winter walks off to play snowy games by herself. Solo play isn’t fun though, and the bunnies she tries to involve are not interested.

However, her three pals soon start feeling troubled about what they’ve done and decide to search for their friend. It’s a really chilly journey they make but can they find Winter and put things right between them once more? Maybe, but Spring, Summer and Autumn will need to feel warm if that crown is to be bestowed upon its rightful wearer.

In this, the series concluder, the life lessons the friends share with young children are about the importance of turn taking and empathy

The Big Dreaming

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The Big Dreaming
Michael Rosen and Daniel Egnéus
Bloomsbury Children’s Books


Little Bear has never experienced the long winter hibernation before so when he’s told of the Sleep he’s nervous about this unknown event. Together Little Bear and Big Bear decide that what’s coming is a Big Dreaming. But then Little Bear worries that he’ll run out of dreams and end up with a ‘Big Nothing’.
He decides to go in search of some dreams and off he goes through the forest till he meets a squirrel. “Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel,” he says. “We’re getting ready for the Big Dreaming, / we’re getting ready for the Sleep. / Do you have any spare dreams, / for when we sleep, deep, deep?” Squirrel offers his dream of ‘Happiness Right Now’


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Little Bear’s next encounter is with a rabbit. He repeats his question (children will already be joining in) and Rabbit tells of the ‘Dream of Coming Home Safe’, and Wolf, the next creature Little Bear meets, talks of the ‘Always Having Hope’ dream.

As Little Bear heads for home, down comes the snow: the Cold has come. Now the ursine cub worries about getting back home in time for the Big Dreaming. But then he remembers dreams that he’s gathered from the other creatures and with the help of those, he finds his way back home to Big Bear.

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Finally the two curl up together and dream and dream …


Poignant and lyrical, Michael’s telling will especially resonate with adult readers aloud who know of his covid journey and children will request frequent re-readings of the book which will give them the opportunity to savour such lines as ‘the light in the moon went out. / Like a candle blows out in the wind.’ They’ll savour too, Daniel Egnéus’s beautiful illustrations with their different perspectives and gorgeous autumnal colour palette, which then changes with the seasons. I hope that they will absorb the life lessons the story gently imparts.


I wonder what your answer might be should you be asked by a little human to offer your special dream.



Cotton Cloud Refuses To Rain

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Cotton Cloud Refuses To Rain
Elizabeth F. Hill and Hannah George
Five Quills

We in the UK seem to talk about the weather much more frequently than elsewhere, at least that’s my ecperience. Here’s a story showing how weather shapes so much of what we do.

Cotton Cloud’s over-riding desire is to make people happy. To that end she consults other clouds – Cumulus, Stratus and Cirrus for advice. Cumulus, the puffy one teaches Cotton how to make floating cloud castles, Stratus shows her how to hug the horizon by hanging low, whereas Cirrus trains Cotton to flick her tail as she dances across the sky. However, Nimbostratus, the one Cotton didn’t speak to, insists Cotton should learn to rain. Now Cotton knows full well that rain makes people sad and so she ignores Nimbo’s advice, spending her days getting pleasure from seeing people’s happy responses to her playful images and behaviour.

For a while everything is fine and dandy but one day along blows Wind telling Cotton that rain is needed for the plants to grow. Wind however gets rebuffed. Conditions worsen for plants and their growers: people’s delight diminishes with every passing day.

Will Cotton ever realise that, rather than blaming others, she needs to change her ways? Fortunately some thunderous words from Nimbo cause her to weep and …

Both funny and educative, this story demonstrates the importance of both balance in nature and friendship. Children will have fun looking at all the details in Hannah George’s digitally worked illustrations as well as enjoying the different weather- and geographical-related characters and their changing expressions.

A good book to share with a KS1 class especially during a weather-related topic.

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind

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Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind
Ashley Benham-Yazdani
Walker Books

The author/illustrator personifies the comet in her third person telling, which follows the comet, portrayed as a shiny sphere with a long flowing tail, on its recurring visits to planet Earth, chronicling its visitations which occur ‘about every seventy-six Earth years’ beginning millennia ago and ending with a mention of 2061 when the comet is next due to return to an Earth, shaped largely by the actions of humans alive today. This reminded me of T.S. Eliot’s lines ‘Time present and time past / Are both perhaps present in time future,/And time future contained in time past.’

We’re told that ‘one kind of creature began to live differently.’ and scenes show humans of various races changing over time, but all, having looked skywards, telling one another tales of the ‘broom star’ up above. These visits, they recorded in various ways using ink, clay and words.

From afar, the comet witnesses times of war and times of peace, and notices a multiplicity of human feelings, the most powerful being that of ‘boundless love’.

After many hundreds of visits, humans name the comet Halley’s Comet after an astronomer, Edmond Halley. Earth continues to fill with ever more humans and what the comet sees in 1986 are two children walking along a beach below a neon lighted industrial city, belching out filthy smoke.

What the comet sees too are space probes surrounding it; they leave it to continue orbiting around an earth described as ‘small and vast all at once / holding so much life and such great promise’, with dreams of what the next visit might show. One only hopes that what it discovers on its 2061 visit is not an Earth ruined by our failure to address the environmental damage we are causing.

At every turn of the page, Ashley Benham-Yazdani’s luminescent, mixed media illustrations show the soft-edged comet shooting across an inky wash sky and gorgeous scenes of the happenings on Earth through the ages.

This is a truly thought-provoking precis of human history from an unusual perspective that makes it all the more powerful. Back matter includes further historical details and an author’s note that speaks to every reader.

The Tree Next Door / A Happy Place

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These are two new picture books from Little Tiger – thank you to the publisher for sending them for review.

The Tree Next Door
Charlie Moyler and Martin Stanev

At the bottom of a long garden a tree stands proud. Both garden and tree are loved, especially by their owner, an old woman. She gets companionship and rewards aplenty from her garden and it keeps her busy.
One day as winter is giving way to spring, a new neighbour arrives and catches sight of the tree next door. From then on she visits the garden whatever the weather, or the season, talks with the owner and asks questions of her.

A year passes and throughout that time the girl has found much joy in the old woman’s garden but as the chilly wintry days come, the garden gradually fades.

The old woman no longer visits her garden; this the girl notices and soon begins to worry. Will she be lonely? Or will she know that her young friend and others around still think of her. She decides to do something for the woman and asks all the other neighbours to participate in her plan. Every one works together until finally …

A sweet story of friendship and community spirit, all watched over by a very special tree.

A Happy Place
Britta Teckentrup

Clever use of peek-through die-cuts and cutaway gorgeously illustrated pages work in tandem with a straightforward poetic text telling of a small child’s moonlit walk, guided by a star, in order to find his happy place. In so doing the intention is that the child then falls fast asleep.

Dream or not, the scenes of the natural world – the moonlit river all a-sparkle and dotted with wading herons,

the forest with dancing squirrels and foxes, stoats and hares, work their magic and finally, watched over by the star shining brightly through the bedroom, we see the child finally slumbering peacefully.

A beautiful bedtime story to share with little ones, especially those who, like the protagonist have trouble dropping off to sleep.

Heavy Metal Badger

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Heavy Metal Badger
Duncan Beedie
Little Tiger

Badger has music – rock music – deep within and it’s bursting to come out. So much so that he can hold it no longer; it simply explodes as does Badger right out of his sett. Grabbing two sticks he strikes at the trees, disturbing Woodpecker who is not impressed.

Thinking perhaps he needs some music lessons, off he goes , first stop Mrs Smythe’s class but he discovers that the recorder definitely is not the instrument for him. Back in the woods he spies a band of ants marching in line and in rhythm to their own playing.

However, things don’t go as well as Badger was hoping: the result is far from satisfactory for the ants, and the luckless Badger is forced to beat a hasty retreat.

So what about the possibility of joining the church choir; disaster strikes, though the choirmaster is encouraging, but off Badger goes feeling more than a little dispirited. Suddenly he sees a flyer advertising for a lead singer. Organised chaos seems to have been following Badger but could he finally have found the tribe he’s been searching for?

With a plethora of rock-themed puns, both verbal and visual, Duncan’s rhyming tale will have listeners wriggling on their seats in glee at the splendid silliness and cleverness of this Beedie offering, which essentially is a search for one’s true identity and a celebration of finding a way to express oneself.

Lily the Pond Mermaid / I Really Want To Be A Cat

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These are two new titles from Walker Books – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review

Lily the Pond Mermaid
Lucy Fleming

Ponds are lush and green and teaming with life, the occasional one even holds a secret. One such is that which Lily the mermaid calls home. She takes care of all the flora and fauna around that make up her world – the damselflies and dragonflies, butterflies, water snails, fish and frogs, the aquatic plants too. Lily’s very best friend is Bobble, one of the tadpole family and she takes great pains to keep the pond safe for all those living in and around it. However, aware that ponds can all too easily be spoiled, Lily lies awake worrying about what might happen. She keeps herself busy by day in attempts to keep her worries at bay but they keep on growing bigger.

When a storm hits the pond, the result the following morning is debris everywhere she looks. Lily’s worries grow even larger – supposing further devastation happens?

Feeling almost totally overwhelmed, the little mermaid senses a tiny flicker of courage within herself. Can she finally reach out to her friends, tell them of her fears and ask for their help?

It’s amazing what teamwork can do in times of need, and so it is with Lily and her pond community.
So it can be too with young human listeners and readers, for Lucy Fleming’s story shows the power of camaraderie and of finding your inner strength to reveal how you feel to your friends.

I Really Want To Be A Cat
Helen Hancocks

Have you ever wondered what it would like to be a cat? The little girl narrator does just that as she addresses her own moggy, focusing on all the positive aspects of life as a feline such as her grey companion. Time is never an issue, you can play with your body shape, steal around ninja style, hide away so no-one can find you, and your eyes give you great nocturnal vision. Moreover you are free to go here, there and anywhere without being asked about your movements. You are fearless, adventurous and almost independent.

There is however, one downside to a cat’s life, from a young human’s viewpoint, that is: do you know how cats get themselves clean.? Err, no thank you.

Playful, gently humorous and sure to appeal to cat lovers, young and not so young.

Madame Badobedah and the Old Bones

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Madame Badobedah and the Old Bones
Sophie Dahl and Lauren O’Hara
Walker Books

If you’ve not read the first book, Madame Badobedah, she is a long term resident of the Mermaid Hotel, a seaside establishment managed by young Mabel’s parents. Mabel has taken it upon herself to keep an eye on what the guests are up to and has become firm friends with the wonderfully eccentric Madame Badobedah.

In this adventure the two spend their Saturday on the beach, foraging for interesting things. Mabel discovers a golden coin,

her companion suggests she should make a wish; Mabel wishes for ‘a big adventure.’

The following night the two friends are rummaging through Madame B’s dressing table drawers and come upon something that prompts the owner to tell Mabel about leading an expedition in North America and encountering a Triceratops with terrible toothache. She also talks of another item, which Madame B. has yet to return to its rightful place.

After dinner, the two friends, Mabel holding her coin, set off to the Natural History Museum, Madame B’s pocket containing a precious jewel. There Mabel’s wished for adventure looks set to happen for suddenly there comes a voice. Could it possibly be a dinosaur addressing them? …

Another timeless tale, told in four parts, that celebrates adventure, friendship and the power of the imagination. Lauren O’Hara’s illustrations are full of charm and whimsy – just perfect for portraying the exploits of eccentric teller of tall tales Madame Badobedah and her young friend.

The Ogre in the Hall

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The Ogre in the Hall
Céline Sorin and Pascal Lemaître
Hippo Park (Astra Books for Young Readers)

Jojo is in urgent need of a wee but it’s night-time and although the bathroom is close to his bedroom, the presence of an ogre makes it a dangerous walk through the hallway. Nonetheless, needs must, so, sword in paw, Jojo ventures forth into the darkness only to find that the bathroom is occupied, but who is within? Not his mum or dad but sitting on the loo is the ogre; moreover he has a tummy ache. But why use somebody else’s bathroom? It turns out that this ogre is scared of the dark and there’s no light in his own bathroom.

Having used the loo, the ogre needs to wash his hands, however this too is problematic. Jojo’s other bathroom – the one with a sink – is also in use, by an octopus that’s languishing in the bathtub. Henceforward further mayhem unfolds in the shape of a pair of crocodiles and they are scared of a ‘monster’ in the hall.

All this time poor Jojo is still holding on, increasingly afraid he’ll wee in his pyjamas. How will this all end? To tell would be to become a story-spoiler so you’ll need to find a copy of this highly amusing book with its hugely funny illustrations and discover for yourself. Young listeners will certainly enjoy it but whether you’ll want to share it at bedtime is open to doubt.

The Dress in the Window

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The Dress in the Window
Robert Tregoning and Pippa Curnick
Oxford Children’s Books

One day when walking through town with his mum, a boy spots a sparkling red dress in the window of a second-hand shop. Dazzling and flowing, the dress seems to be asking the boy to stop and take notice, so he does. He imagines who might have owned the dress previously but the lad knows how amazing it would make him feel.

Rather than offering to buy it for her son, Mum suggests he earns some money by doing chores for other people so he can pay for it himself. This he does by washing cars, helping with housework, tending a neighbour’s garden and doing a bit of pet care.

Gradually the money mounts up till the boy has sufficient to buy the dress.

Next day is his birthday and after school, the boy can hardly wait to return to the secondhand shop and make his longed for purchase. Horror or horrors! The dress has gone from the window. Mum pacifies her son with talk of presents waiting at home and when they get there, it’s not just presents waiting for him. All the neighbours are there too and they have a tea party.

Then comes present-opening time. Joy of joys, when he opens the present from Mum, there is the shimmering, glimmering dress. How he smiles, how he sparkles as he dances with delight – right out of the house and into the street.


What a splendidly joyous celebration of being true to yourself. With its themes of unconditional love and acceptance, this lovely story is a demonstration of just how amazing life can be when you have the support to be true to yourself. The combination of Robert Tregoning’s rhyming text that is a treat to read aloud and Pippa Curnick’s gorgeous illustrations make this a very special book to share with young listeners at home or in the classroom.

The Singing Bear / Dance With Oti: The Penguin Waltz

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The Singing Bear
Amy Sparks and Katie Hickey
Walker Entertainment

It’s always a huge pleasure to visit the Repair Shop and see Jay Blades and his team of expert repairers in these picture books that are based on the real life events of those who visit the workshop. This one featuring Kwai, Anne and young niece Lucy who bring along Singing Ted, for the team to work their magic on, being the third.

Kwai’s elder sister, Anne recounts part of her back story, explaining how as an eight-year old, she learned that her parents were going to adopt a baby girl, Kwai, from Hong Kong. When the little girl arrives, she’s quiet and sad and to try and cheer her up, the family visits the toy shop where they buy a teddy that plays a lullaby at the turn of a key.

On seeing the bear, little Kwai’s eyes light up for the first time

and from then on, Singing Bear as she names her teddy and Kwai go everywhere together. Inevitably over the years, the bear has been loved so much that it now needs Jay and his fellow workers to use their skills on Ted. Can they make the bear sing again as well as fixing the other things that need restoring?

Happily when, the three return, Jay greets them with a big smile and wonderful news.

Amy Sparkes’ telling is a delight but Katie Hickey’s superbly expressive illustrations, endpapers included, really bring the events to life making the book even more special. Back matter recounts the true story of the Singing Bear and introduces Jay and his expert team.

Dance With Oti: The Penguin Waltz
Oti Mabuse and Samara Hardy
Walker Books

Mrs Oti and her dance class are preparing for a special wintry themed show when the snow falling outside prompts one of the children to ask if they can go out and play. Wrapped up warm, off they go and straightway as Mrs Oti teaches them how to balance on snowy ground, penguins are mentioned. This leads one of the pupils to initiate a penguin waddle and after a snowball fight, and further talk of penguins , Mrs Oti tells them she has an idea for the final dance in the show: the Penguin Waltz.
Back indoors, re-energised by hot chocolate, the practising begins in earnest.
Come the day of the show, what a performance the children give until it’s time for the finale. A mishap occurs but Gan’s quick thinking and sense of teamwork save the situation and the dance finishes perfectly, to the delight of watchers and performers.

A delightful addition to the Dance with Oti series: Samara Hardy’s bright, lively illustrations showcase Mrs Oti and her class beautifully: their camaraderie really shines through.
Read the book with your KS1 class, then get up and try the moves: you and your listeners can learn the penguin waltz by following the step by step instructions on the final spread.

You Can’t Let an Elephant Pull Santa’s Sleigh

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You Can’t Let an Elephant Pull Santa’s Sleigh
Patricia Cleveland-Peck and David Tazzyman
Bloomsbury Children’s Books

This is the sixth in the splendidly silly ‘You Can’t Let an Elephant’ series by team Cleveland-Peck and Tazzyman and it’s full of the Christmas spirit – sort of!

Not only does Patricia consider the elephant as a no go creature for the titular task but she also proffers reasons for not allowing racoons to decorate your tree,

keeping nanny goats away when you open our presents, preventing elephant seals from attempting to illuminate the outside of your home. Moreover you should not try pulling a cracker with an alpaca and when it comes to a giraffe, filling his stocking would seriously deplete Santa’s present store. Unless you want Christmas chaos rather than a seasonal feast, then never ever appoint a wildebeest as head chef; steer clear of a buffalo when you’re close to the mistletoe

and penguins as carol singers are, let’s say, anything but tuneful. And so it continues, much to the distress of the named creatures. Surely there is something the only too willing workers might be able to do to bring Christmas cheer?

Hilarious illustrations in combination with a terrific read aloud text will assuredly bring young listeners plenty of Christmas cheer when you share this.

Here are few ideas as to why an elephant is unsuitable for the role of Santa’s sleigh puller:
Faith (4) The sleigh would just keep spinning around.
Sam (8) An elephant would be FAR too clumsy. Plus it would fall asleep on the job and third it would be impossible unless you had one hundred bottles of magic powder.
Emmanuelle (11): It’s far far too heavy and would never get airborne. Also it would be much too difficult to put a harness around it. Also no elephant in the whole world has a red nose and you need at least one of that kind to pull Santa’s sleigh or you can forget the whole thing.

The Wild

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The Wild
Yuval Zommer
Oxford Children’s Books

There is a line in a Native American poem where the author asks the Great Spirit of Life to give him the wisdom “to walk softly on the earth”.  This ancient metaphor recognises our human responsibility to take care of the natural environment on which we live and depend for our existence. So it was in the Wild at the start of Yuval’s new fable of our times. The Wild here was a vast place, a place where season followed season and the animals responded to the changes, either by moving or by being still and sleeping. Every living being, be they human, or creatures furred or feathered had all they needed: they lived lightly in the Wild, caring for it and receiving its care in return.

But those humans envisaged that the Wild would always be able to provide what they needed so with the passing years, they became increasingly careless, taking too much as they mined, ploughed, burned and built. They paid no heed to the devastation their actions caused until one day a child looks out of the window and notices a change. “Why does the Wild seem so weak?” he asks but his question goes unheeded. The child continues to worry and question but to no avail until eventually the Wild is unable to give.
Now it’s time for the boy to speak louder and without fear. And so he does: “STOP!’ he cries, “We are hurting the wild.”

Finally others hear his urgent call and they too take up the cry. Not only do they call, but they also change their behaviour. Little by little, with renewed hope , the Wild begins to recover because no human took without also giving something back.

Yuval’s message is also delivered with stark urgency and his collage like illustrations are full of superb textures and details in the realistic, rich colours of the natural world.
A must to read, share, discuss and act upon.

Sai’s Magic Silk

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Sai’s Magic Silk
Shyala Smith and Jani Balakumar
Tate Publishing


Sai finds special delight in his Amma’s beautiful silk saris using them to transport him into magical adventures; the problem is he can’t find anybody who wants to share in these adventures.


Instead, taking hold of the edge of one of Amma’s saris, he tosses it skywards. Immediately the boy finds himself plunging into the ocean, where he’s surrounded by all manner of underwater creatures through which he swims; he even plays with mermaids. All too soon though, a voice calls him back to reality.

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Having bid the ocean farewell, Sai heads to his cousin Naren’s birthday party. There however, all the other children have their eyes glued to screens. Sai picks up the edges of Amma’s sari and instantly he’s in Sri Lanka’s Sinharaja forest surrounded by squawking birds and a wealth of wild animals.


Then “Helloooooo?” comes a sound through the undergrowth and as Sai emerges from beneath the sari, there before him stands a little boy who introduces himself as Nate.

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The two boys soon form a bond and Sai invites Nate to his home to play. In Sai’s bedroom, Nate too, is enchanted by the saris. Sai explains how they facilitate his imaginative play and having looked at their wonderful patterns and adornments, Nate finds Sai’s very favourite one.


Unlike the other children Sai knows, Nate is eager for an adventure. I wonder where they go, for, as the final words of the story say, ‘Anything’s possible with six yards of magic silk.’

With Jani Balakumar’s striking illustrations and Shyala Smith’s effective combination of lyrical description and dialogue, this richly woven vignette of Sai’s everyday life, treats readers/listeners to a journey of the imagination.

Having collected all manner of saris during my travels in India and made them available in my foundation stage classrooms, I know from experience, just how much young children love to use them to enhance their creative play.

Beneath

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Beneath
Cori Doerrfeld
Scallywag Press

Huddled beneath a quilt in the middle of the bed, Finn is having a dreadful day. Grandpa wants to talk about it but Finn, certain his Grandpa won’t understand remains obdurate. Grandpa suggests a walk and reluctantly the boy agrees, insisting that he stays under the quilt. “Don’t worry,” says Grandpa. “I’ll remember to think of what’s beneath.”

Off they go into the forest and soon Grandpa starts pointing out instances where what’s on the surface conceals hidden complexities – the trees with their subterranean root systems; the wealth of sea life below a fishing boat offshore; the eggs beneath the mother bird sitting in her nest, seeds within a fruit and skeletons inside animals, for example.

“Everyone is more than what you see. Beneath appearances are experiences. Beneath actions are explanations. Beneath what’s different is what’s the same,” he says in response to Finn’s question about inside and outside.

By now Finn has emerged from the quilt and Grandpa draws everything together. “Beneath someone who looks like they won’t understand… is someone who knows exactly how you feel.”

Now reluctant to return home, Finn wraps his quilt around Grandpa and together they climb to the top of the hill and there it’s Finn’s turn to make a reassuring remark to Grandpa.

In one of Cori Doerrfeld’s vibrantly coloured illustrations towards the end of this beautiful story, she reveals that both characters have shared the same serious loss, whom we infer is the maker of the quilt, Finn’s Gramma.

A beautifully crafted, penetrating story of understanding, empathy and acceptance.

The Panda’s Child

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The Panda’s Child
Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher
Otter-Barry Books

Left behind by her fellow villagers as they walked in the forest, a mother lies down with her baby boy in the warm sun. She drops off to sleep briefly and wakes to discover the infant has gone. After three days of searching the villagers conclude that the baby must have been taken by a creature of some kind or perhaps the forest spirits.

The mother refuses to give up though and continues searching alone, hope gradually fading the longer she looks. But then, drifting on the wind she hears something: could it be? Wonder of wonders, in a cave beside a large ursine creature lies her child, alive after seven days.

The bear – a she panda – must have kept the baby alive, the villagers decide, and henceforward, they have a strong bond with the animal. They also have a special bond with the little child.

The years pass and on the child’s ninth birthday some strangers ride into the village. It’s evident from their lavish dress these are rich people, accompanied by large hunting dogs and elephants most of which bore cages of animals of various kinds. One cage however is empty. The villagers hope that by ignoring the visitors, they would move on but the boy, attracted to the horses, approaches them and is told they are searching for a black and white creature. Said creature is to be a gift for a great ruler, Alexander. Eventually the riders depart, only to return several days later. This time the empty cage has been filled by a black and white animal: the panda’s child. The boy begs them to take him with them to ensure the creature remains alive and eventually they agree, to the horror of the entire village. But has the child really betrayed all those responsible for keeping him safe? Or does he have another reason for wanting to accompany the wealthy travellers even if it means risking his own life?

Hugely moving, Jackie Morris’s spellbinding tale with Cathy Fisher’s mesmerisingly beautiful illustrations will stay with readers long after the book has been closed. With its environmental and conservation themes it will appeal to a wide age range and would make a wonderful present for a lover of the natural world.

Home Bird Hoot

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Home Bird Hoot
Smriti Halls and Lucy Fleming
Scholastic

Hoot is a home loving bird, never venturing beyond her perch in her snuggly treetop abode. The only drawback is she’s always alone. Until that is, Momo, a little mouse, calls one night and invites Hoot to hang out with him. Hoot invites him in and as they sit chatting a friendship begins to develop. One night Momo suggests the two of them explore further afield but Hoot is too scared of what might be lurking outside.

Then one night Momo doesn’t appear for their usual get together. A troubled Hoot summons up all her courage and little by little ventures out into the night. Hearing a squeak, she looks around and what she sees makes her tummy turn over. Can she now leave her perch, find her wings and come to the aid of her friend?

Smriti’s rhyming tale demonstrates how an important friendship can fuel empowerment and inner strength, making someone braver than they’d every thought possible when danger strikes.

Don’t be afraid to embrace the unknown, be a risk taker is the message: new experiences such as those of Hoot broaden a person’s horizons. There are some delightful details in Lucy Fleming’s illustrations: I particularly love the ‘Peckado’ home delivery service and all the minibeasts but young children will doubtless find other things that especially appeal to them.

A good story time tale to share and talk about.

I’m Going To Be a Princess

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I’m Going To Be a Princess
Stephanie Taylor and Jade Orlando
Nosy Crow

Maya and her Mum are walking home from school one day, the former clutching a drawing she’d done in class of a princess. “because I’m going to be a princess when I grow up1”, she announces.
Mum agrees that it’s a fun idea but encourages her daughter to think about other possibilities. She goes on to share information about some amazing Black women through history: a doctor perhaps like Alexa Canady, 

or an award-winning ballet dancer like Misty Copeland? Other suggestions are an athlete like Alice Coachman, 

a rocket scientist, like Annie Easley, and several others. Maya agrees that they all sound brilliant but remains firm that she is going to be a princess. 

However the girl has a surprise up her sleeve: her princess role model isn’t the usual fairy tale kind; instead she wants to be just like Princess Amina, a warrior princess who, five centuries ago, ruled the Zazzau Kingdom in West Africa, a fearless leader, totally devoted to her people for whom she worked tirelessly.

I love the clever flip of the narrative and the trashing of the prevailing princess stereotype. Stephanie Taylor uses a chatty style for her telling which works well and in tandem with Jade Orlando’s lively illustrations, make for an informative, empowering book that deserves to be in all KS1 classrooms.

Have You Seen Dinosaur?

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Have You Seen Dinosaur?
David Barrow
Gecko Press

In this increasingly hilarious follow-up to Have You Seen Elephant? it’s elephant’s turn to go hunting. At the little boy’s behest, he and elephant, plus dog, board a bus, destination the city. There they hope to find some dinosaurs, though of course as boy says, “We’ll have to be VERY observant.”

However, on every spread young readers will delight in pointing one out hiding in plain sight in the background, (or sometimes foreground), of Barrow’s watercolour scene. It’s up to them to decide whether the boy is merely playing or whether he really doesn’t see those large dinosaurs in the museum. on the underground, in the skate park

or atop a ‘hill.’ By now young followers of the tale will be unable to resist shouting out what said ‘hill’ boy and his friends have climbed upon really is.

With delicious throwaway penultimate and final spreads, this playful search and find story will definitely please young audiences. The cityscapes have a mistiness about them giving the outdoor scenes an other-worldly aura.

In addition to the main storyline, there is an amusing on-going interaction between dog and a pigeon; this you do perhaps need to be rather more observant to notice.

Truly a dinosaur book with a difference.

Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble

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Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble
Tracy Corderoy and Joe Berger
Nosy Crow

If you’ve not yet read the stories narrated by a little girl whose Granny is a witch, then this book containing three stories is well worth investing in. Tracey’s magical tales told in a bouncy rhyming style accompanied by Joe Berger’s zany illustrations with their abundance of witchy details are a delight.

In the first – the title story – the girl narrator decides to try and reform her granny who is forever stirring up trouble, but having given her a make-over which includes a new hairdo and dressing her in a tweed suit and exchanging her weird assortment of pets for a cuddly pink rabbit, realises that all that she’s done is make Gran miserable. Time to allow her be herself again.

In Whizz Pop Granny Stop, the girl narrator is determined to have a normal ie magic-free birthday, starting with the birthday cake. Then come making a new dress and at the party, Granny paints everyone’s faces without using her ‘Helping Kit’. It’s a terrific party – but the mess?

Perhaps it’s now time to call upon the assistance of a supersonic broom, and finally, Granny has some very special magic to conclude the celebrations.

Spells-A-Popping Granny’s Shopping involves a trip to the supermarket but the narrator’s request, “No crazy stuff” is not what transpires. Instead out comes Granny’s wand and in no time there are biscuits dancing, popcorn a-popping, packets of soap pursuing underwear, runner beans racing around and that’s not all. Embarrassing indeed, but then a pair or robbers with a large sack appear. Time to make use of that wand, again Granny.

Huge fun from cover to cover and much too good to restrict to Halloween time.

Fox’s Favourite Autumn

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Fox’s Favourite Autumn
Fiona Barker and Christine Pym
Scholastic

Autumn is Fox’s favourite season, he loves everything about it: the abundance of ripe fruits, the misty mornings and honey sunsets. But with autumn come shorter days; Fox isn’t happy about that. He decides to make the days longer, trying several ideas but his friends don’t like what he does.

Nor do they approve of his food-saving. Then, as he desperately tries to stick leaves back on the trees, he encounters Badger wanting to know what he’s up to.

Badger asks Fox what he’ll miss about autumn and Fox starts to list autumnal things he loves so much. As he does so, Fox realises that he’s been missing out on sharing in his friends’ autumnal pleasures.

Wise Badger then points out that it’s the sharing that’s vital and all seasons have pleasurable things to offer if they’re done with friends. Will Fox finally take on board these sage words and make the most of every season and its possibilities?

An important life lesson is presented with gentle humour in this seasonal tale. It’s all too easy to become like Fox and allow the possibilities each season presents to pass us by. Christine Pym’s jolly seasonal scenes reflect the humour in Fiona Barker’s words and together offer a thought-provoking book to share and discuss with young children as the days draw in.

Zoom!

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ZOOM!
Sam Usher
Templar Books

It’s great to see a new series featuring Boy and Grandad, this being the first of four stories wherein the two characters demonstrate the importance of reusing and recycling materials in their adventures. As always creativity and the imagination are key even on the hottest night of the year when this first adventure takes place.

At Grandad’s suggestion the two take the telescope and go up onto the roof where it’s cooler. When Sam tries the telescope the zoom doesn’t work properly, but resourceful Grandad fixes it and Sam sees a planet. Further adjustment enables him to see a space module and a couple of astronauts, whom the lad surmises are in trouble.

Back inside go Grandad and Boy to collect supplies and tools, which they take onto the roof. There they fashion a spacecraft

and off they go, destination the planet whereon the astronauts are stranded.
Happily the two are able to fix the broken module and the astronauts invite Grandad and Boy to have a nap inside their space station. Needless to say, the interior is so exciting that neither visitor gets a wink of sleep before it’s time for them to return home.

Ready for the off Boy realises they are sans a vital bit of equipment,

but happily this time the astronauts are able to offer just what’s needed for a safe landing back on earth – just in time for breakfast …

It’s always a delight to be in the company of these characters with their wonderful child-grandparent relationship. As always too, Sam Usher’s slightly quirky ink-and-watercolour vignettes and large scenes have plenty to explore and like Boy, children will revel in the interior of the space station, while the story subtly introduces both scientific and engineering information. What better way to spend a hot, sleepless night than this.

Last-Place Lin / Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?

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These are both recent Allen & Unwin titles: thanks to the publishers for sending them for review.

Last-Place Lin
Wai Chim and Freda Chiu

It’s young Lin’s first opportunity to participate in the school sports day and she’s in the red team. Dressed entirely in her team’s colour, she enters first the sack race and then the obstacle race, finding them anything but easy. Next she competes in the water balloon toss but finds it very hard. Unfortunately despite heaving with all her might, another child makes fun of her, calling out to her ‘Last-Place Lin’. Lin doesn’t give up though: she does the crab walk, the wheelbarrow race and the tug of war. Further name calling ensues but still she keeps trying, dropping the baton in the relay. 

Then comes the last race – a fun run – and a must compete for everyone so there’s no getting out of it by hiding. After encouragement off she runs, adopting the ‘Last-Place Lin’ as a kind of mantra that enables her feet to follow its rhythm as she puts one foot in front of the other encouraged by a friend and the cheering crowd … 

all the way to the finish line

The author Wai Chim’s experience of participating in an Australian TV show was the inspiration for this story. Essentially it’s a celebration of trying, endurance, doing the best you can and never giving up, no matter what. An important message for young children, who can all too easily get swept up in the ‘must win’ mentality that prevails in the sporting world. Freda Chiu’s expressive illustrations show so well how Lin gives the events her all and the difference a bit of encouragement makes to how she feels. Definitely a book to share and discuss with a KS1 class.

Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
David Metzenthen and Jonathan Bentley

This is a bedtime tale of the tongue-twisting kind. A sleepy sheep is endeavouring to find a suitable spot for a night’s shuteye. But the places he tries are in turn ‘too deep, steep and stony’, ‘too dangerous’ (not to mention noisy), ‘too scary’, ‘too small, dark and damp’, ‘too cold and uncomfortable’, ‘too grimy and gritty’, 

or ‘too lonely’ . Having wandered hither and yon, it seems that luckless ovine is destined to have a miserable night but then … yes young listeners do eventually get an opportunity to bid ‘goodnight’ to the by now, exceedingly sleepy sheep.

Jonathan Bentley’s bold scenes show the sheep’s eyelids becoming heavier and heavier until his eyes are barely open at all as he stands in the corner of the great big paddock almost overcome by somnolence.

Young children love repetition and enjoy alliteration and this fun book has both; it’s just right for a bedtime story, but also, the repeat refrains mean that those in the early stages of reading will soon be taking over from the adult reader aloud.

Vlad the Fabulous Vampire

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Vlad the Fabulous Vampire
Flavia Z. Drago
Walker Books

Meet Vladislav Varnaby Roland Dragul aka Vlad. Vlad has a passion for fashion and consequently he is a stylish vampire. However he has a secret of the colourful sort: behind his black cape he hides rosy pink cheeks that make him look all too alive. Vlad longs to feel and look like any other vampire; he feels insecure with his rosiness and uncomfortable about concealing his real self. However, he starts designing and making his own gear, always covering his cheeks; but having strutted his stuff for a while, he realises that he’ll never be able to hide who he truly is. 

Off goes Vlad to be by himself but after a short time he is alerted to the fact that his vampire pal Shelley is in trouble. What he sees is that she too has a shockingly bright physical trait. This makes Vlad reveal his own secret and with their friendship firmly established and Shelley leading the way, the two venture beyond the Dark Woods for Shelley to share another secret, a sight never before seen by another vampire. 

It’s in this new place that Vlad starts to overcome his insecurity about who he is 

and that’s when his fashion passion really comes into its own. From then on, whenever insecurity raises its troublesome head, Vlad knows he has somebody to help him cope with his self-doubt.

Drawing on her Mexican heritage, Flavia Drago mixes folk art with cartoon style in her illustrations, adding brighter hues to her colour palette as Shelley leads Vlad towards self-affirmation.
Yes you might share this one at Halloween time, but its vital message is for all times.

Once Upon A Witch’s Broom

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Once Upon A Witch’s Broom
Beatrice Blue
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

From Beatrice Blue’s Once Upon A series comes this story of two future witches, best friends Lilly and Moira. Lilly is able to do everything, new learning comes easily to her but not Moira. Moira is shy, things don’t always seem to work for her, she struggles with what she considers her inadequacy and consequently feels very lonely at times. However she is hoping that her once in a witch’s life opportunity, when she receives a magical Relic, will fix her and make her able to do everything well.

On her big day though, Moira’s Relic is a big disappointment. All the other witches receive something that matches their personality but why has she been given a broom? Moira shares her disappointment with Lilly who encourages her friend by saying that their Relics will help them become better witches, no matter what powers they carry. Could Lilly perhaps be right, wonders Moira. She decides to give her broom another chance but nothing works and she ends up breaking the Relic.

She’s just on the point of hiding the useless object away forever when she sees Lilly watching her and asks her a question. The wise answer she receives makes Moira resolve to have one more try.

Could her friend’s kind words and advice make a difference? Can Moira finally learn to believe in herself and let her powers shine?

A heart-warming story, powerfully illustrated, with an important message for all young children that shows them, and reminds us all, that believing in ourselves can reveal the magic we hold within. Young listeners will love following all the froggy details as the tale unfolds.

Winnie and Wilbur: The Witches’ Sports Day

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Winnie and Wilbur: The Witches’ Sports Day
Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
Oxford Children’s Books

Excitement is building at the prospect of a sports day for both witches and cats; Winnie has her eye on first prize for the main event, a broomstick obstacle race for witches and their moggies. To that end, she undertakes some serious training on the practice course she magics in her garden and is pretty confident about getting that all important prize.

Come sports day, there are ten contestants in the broomstick obstacle race which was to be a timed event with one witch at a time doing the course. Should any cat or witch fall off, the pair would be eliminated. This happens to two of the partnerships but who will be the fastest? Will it be the previous year’s winners Maryam and her moggie Malik or, Winnie and Wilbur?

As the riders await the announcement of the results, a strong gust of wind whips the paper bearing the times far away.

Feelings are mixed regarding the impossibility of declaring a winner, most contestants being satisfied with having thoroughly enjoyed participating and sports day ends with a delicious lunch for all. Now that’s an important notion for young humans to take on board and a great subject for discussion – winning isn’t everything.

As always Korky Paul’s illustrations are rich in delicious witchy detail and the sight of the witches in their sporting attire will take a lot of beating. My favourite Winnie and Wilbur story in a while.