Robin and Pip
Margaret Anne Suggs
Graffeg

A touching tale about a Robin that worries. To ease those worries the little bird asks his patient pal, Pip the apple tree, lots of questions; first about the blossom. Does she miss the flowers when they float away? Now as Pip, a mature tree already knows of her naturally occurring life cycle she is fully aware of the series of stages she’ll undergo each year. Through Robin’s continuing questioning and Pip’s responses, readers share these natural changes.

The little bird and young listeners learn that the tree is able to provide stability through her roots and strength and flexibility through her branches to grow and hold up the fruits until they’re ready to fall or are harvested. Finally Robin nestles into Pip’s welcoming.comforting branches and reassured, the bird’s questioning ceases.

A gentle blend of story and information, this is a book to share and talk about with early years children who will be helped to understand that it’s okay to feel worried about things, but by far the best way to cope with their worries is to find someone to talk with. The author’s pen and watercolour illustrations are a delight and really bring out the feelings of the little worrier and the reassurer, while also including some amusing details of seasonal happenings and minibeasts.