Birdy & Bou: The Floating Library
Mandy Stanley and David Bedford
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
I’m always on the lookout for stories that promote book loving and library use to very young children and here’s a great little book that does both of those things.
Bou is a red-eared panda and Birdy is, well, a bird.
Bou is an avid reader and when the floating library makes its regular stop at the village, he cannot wait to get his paws on his favourite book again.
Once aboard, he searches high and low but no matter where he looks, Bou cannot find his beloved book. Someone else has got there before him.
Off goes the little panda to track down the borrower, which he does eventually, although its borrower, Birdy, hasn’t quite grasped how to read it. Time for a demonstration and a spot of book-sharing.
So absorbed are the new friends that by the time they reach the river again, the library boat has departed. How can they return the book now?
With its bold, bright artwork, simple storyline and lovely surprise ending, this book with its toddler friendly wipe-clean pages, from the duo that created Roo the dinosaur, have another winner in Bou.
A Recipe for Playtime
Peter Bently and Sarah Massini
Hodder Children’s Books
Following on from their A Recipe for Bedtime, Bently and Massini have created a celebration of play. The toddler herein finds delight in block building, painting, constructing and imaginary play indoors,
before heading outside where there’s a slide, a sandpit, swings and lots of places to hide in when it’s time for a game of hide-and-seek with the toys.
Back indoors once again, it’s time to tidy away before snuggling up for a goodnight story – the perfect way to end the day.
Peter’s jaunty rhyme together with Sarah’s scenes of the fun and games, really do capture the joyful exuberance of the very young at play.
I’ve signed the charter 
Red Reading Hub - Jillrbennett's Reviews of Children's Books 