Tag Billy Coughlan

How do you do, Mr Gnu? / What’s More Scary?

jillrbennett 2 Comments

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How do you do, Mr Gnu?
Billy Coughlan and Maddie Frost
Maverick Arts Publishing
Gnu has received a royal invitation, to take tea with Her Majesty the Queen no less. First though he needs to polish up his etiquette and for this he has plenty of role models: the dogs with their polite begging “Woof” Woofs for starters and then there’s that “Caw” of raven’s: that’s definitely worth imitating especially with those spindly legs of his flapping like wings. The fish have such eloquent “Glug”s that Gnu just cannot help but try emulating those …

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Add to that the dinosaur’s “ROAR”; the refined “Neigh” of the guardsman’s horse, not to mention the raspberry blowing from a little girl (think twice Mr Gnu, before you try that one on Her Majesty. Err …

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With its wonderful, final piece de resistance, “Pfffffft” this lesson in manners is sure to have your audiences in fits. They’ll love joining Gnu in trying out the other exquisitely mannered expositions and actions of the other animals so amusingly portrayed in Maddie Frost’s hilarious scenes too. Prepare yourself for a noisy story session when you share this beauty.

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What’s More Scary?
Min Flyte and Matt Hunt
Nosy Crow
This ‘choose-the-flap’ adventure takes readers along with the little boy narrator for a jungle adventure. First though he has to pack his rucksack with the appropriate gear, (especially according to his mum, a toothbrush) and don his rosy red wellies – just the thing for a camouflaged safari walk.

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Off goes the lad along the jungle path and before long he hears some alarming sounds; seemingly he’s being followed but then comes a fork in the path: which way should he go? Crisis averted, it’s time to proceed but again the path divides and another choice needs making – or not! Well yes in a way but a spot of tree climbing is required.

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And so it goes on with a bit of dangling, followed by rowing and another fork – in the river this time, with a croc one way and piranhas the other. Next there’s a choice between a tree with a snake, or one with a grumpy gorilla, to climb; then inside a cave, our narrator, aka “Jimmy” is confronted with something with the scariest ever eyes: what could that be? The little guy has had enough of safari-ing and beats a hasty path back home: has he escaped though?
With a final choice left to the reader, Flyte and Hunt’s flap-filled foray into the wild, has plenty to engage and involve youngsters.

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Life’s Lessons from Pom Pom & Arnold and his Whale

jillrbennett 2 Comments

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Pom Pom the Champion
Sophy Henn
Puffin Books
Pom Pom the adorable bear is back and he’s all at sixes and sevens: that’s what comes of having SO many toys. Thanks to his mum’s ‘let’s play a game’ suggestion though, he’s discovered his competitive streak and for Pom Pom it’s all about winning. That will certainly sound familiar if you have dealings with young children.DSCN0601 (800x600)

Having won the game, he goes on to win ‘being first at getting ready to go out’ – admirable! – followed by fastest shopping trolley packer (OOPS! Pom Pom)…

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fastest library book finisher – maybe not so clever either…

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When he hits the park, Pom Pom encounters Baxter and friends on scooters but they leave him standing when it comes to a race. Swinging highest and climbing are equally disastrous for the young bear: so what about catch? Drop would have been better for our little Pom Pom who storms off in a big huff: “It’s NOT fair! I’m a winner! I’m going to GO and WIN on my OWN!” he shouts. And that’s exactly what he does, though it’s not very satisfying and certainly no fun. It’s a good job then that his friends are on hand to show him a better way of being a winner …

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Another sure winner (couldn’t resist that) for Sophy Henn. Her use of subdued shades but strong colours is perfect for the story and especially apposite for the underlying messages that youngsters need to come to understand: winning isn’t always all important especially when that winning isn’t well done.
Pom Pom is one cute character and the perfect vehicle for conveying life’s lessons to the very young.
A must have book for all early years settings and families with young children.

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Not Without My Whale
Billy Coughlan and Villie Karabatzia
Maverick Arts Publishing
Arnold has a pet – a whale; he also has a problem – a whale sized one – on account of his reluctance to go to school without said pet. Fortunately however, he has a friend, Dora, resourceful and determined. “I think we can manage,” she confidently assures Arnold’s relations all of whom are convinced school and whales don’t go together. And manage they do .

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But then comes assembly, followed by maths. Dora manages both situations beautifully and I’m sure Mrs Oates’ class is delighted with their outdoor numeracy session.

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And so the day proceeds with Dora finding a way to manage each and every potentially tricky situation although after a lunchtime packed with so much fun and games, they miss the bell and incur the wrath of Mrs Oates. And then finally, it’s Arnold’s turn to manage one last challenge (with a bit of help from his whale) …

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With suitably silly, bright cartoon style illustrations and a decided sting or rather stink, in its tail, this story about gaining self confidence was well received by my audience of 4s to 6s who particularly enjoyed the idea of a soccer playing whale and that whiffy finale.

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