These are two new Tiny Tree books – thanks to the publisher for sending them for review.

Bridget’s Bright
Shelley Corcoran and Sam McGarry

Unlike many young children, it’s not the dark that Bridget is frightened of, it’s the light or as she calls it, the bright. The dark is her comfort time, and she spends a lot of it under her bedclothes and keeps the curtains closed at all times. In school she protects herself from the bright by means of a blanket atop an umbrella. Despite being fond of art when her imagination can run wild, she never gets to see the paintings of her classmates. She also lets her imagination run wild while playing in her wigwam in the garden, dreaming of dresses fashioned from fireflies or daisies. but all her clothes are bought by her mum in bright shops that she refuses to venture into. Moreover she misses out on watching the monkeys when on a trip to the zoo and on visits to the swimming pool she remains sitting on the water’s edge dipping her feet in.

Then one day on her walk to school Bridget trips and her brolly and blanket fall off so she can see the brilliant blue sky causing her to surprise herself by saying ‘Oh how beautiful!’ Back home later on she has a talk with her mum about why she might be afraid of the bright and the following day at the park, Bridget tries something different … Has she finally overcome her fear?
An empowering story to share and talk about with young children.

Also for young listeners is

Slippery Cyril
Jax King and Samantha LeDuc

Cyril the accident prone bear returns in a new story which begins with him setting out to find something to sate his appetite. Grabbing his rod and fishing line he walks through the pines till he reaches a suitable ledge near the water’s edge. Reluctant to go lower, he stops and stares at the water rushing by, but while so doing he slips and slides all the way down and is forced to take an accidental dip. This, he is convinced, will make him shrink.

Fortunately that’s not what happens; instead some friends come together and rescue Cyril. This adventure changes the way in which Cyril finds his tea in the future.

A tale of teamwork and friendship, and taking special care near water.