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Revision as of 12:20, 20 January 2018
The Adventures of Billy Bog Brush!: The Fire Brigade by Ian Campbell and Tim Constable
Billy Bog Brush's family have gone out for the day, leaving him staring out of the window at the lovely weather outside and wondering what he could do to pass the time. Suddenly, he hears a desperate cry for help. Mrs Brown's house is on fire, the key is inside, and her little boy Tommy is locked in. Tommy is in terrible danger and what if the fire brigade doesn't arrive in time? Full review...
Pirates in Classroom 3 by Alison Donald and Ben Whitehouse
Not all of us were the child that paid attention in class. Some would look out of the window and let their minds wander. Why be stuck in a stuffy room when you could be in space or on the high seas? Sometimes you do not need to seek adventure as it may just find you. It makes perfect sense to me that if the teacher leaves the classroom there is ample time for a pirate to enter and ask all the children to help him find some lost treasure. Who could possibly give up this opportunity? Full review...
The Elephant in the Room by James Thorp and Angus Mackinnon
Somebody has smashed Father Giant's elephant. Who on earth could it be? Can Father Giant unravel the mystery of what happened, and who will face being banished from the house forever once he discovers the truth? Told in a rhyme that gets more and more surreal as it goes along, this is a wild and brightly illustrated mystery story, with an interesting moral at the end. Full review...
Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans by Jessie Miller and Barbara Bakos
One of the best things about modern online shopping is the knock on the door and the parcel arriving. What was it I ordered again? It could be something as exciting as a new toy, or something as boring as a new mixer for your shower. The anticipation of opening the box is as close to the feeling of Christmas that an adult is going to get (except perhaps for Christmas). Rooster has ordered something online and it arrived quickly. Will his farmyard pals appreciate his buy as much as he does? Full review...
How the Sun Got to Coco's House by Bob Graham
A tale of small moments: sunlight on a sailor's cap as he sets out on an early-morning fishing expedition, a rainbow after a shower and a glint of light in a whale's eye. While Coco sleeps, curled up snugly in her bed, creatures and people across the world are waking up to the sun. It chases the night away across the globe, until at last a bright ray finds its way to Coco's window and wakes her to another day of fun and laughter as she plays outside in the snow. Full review...
Beauty and the Beast by Katie Haworth and Dinara Mirtalipova
We all know the story of beauty and the beast. A prince, transformed in to a monster for his cruel and malicious nature, trapped in his grotesque form seemingly for the rest of his days. Then comes along a young woman, the beauty of the story, who mellows the beast's harsh character and grows to love him for who he is, and not because of his appearance. It's a fairy tale of old and a story of love crossing boundaries which has been adapted countless times both on screen and in literature. So is this new retelling worth the read? I think so, because I loved it. Full review...
The Bad Mood and the Stick by Lemony Snicket and Matthew Forsythe
As the title suggests, this is a story about a bad mood and a stick. The bad mood (an emoji-like cloud character) moves from one character to another, travelling all around the world and causing unpredictable consequences. The stick is just a stick and does very little other than providing a home for a cocoon that gives birth to butterfly. The stick's final home in the window of the ice cream shop does, however, put the shop owner, Bert, in a good mood. Full review...
The Snowbear by Sean Taylor and Claire Alexander
There's a sense of wonder and stillness about fresh-fallen snow, whatever your age. Sounds are muffled, familiar objects and places are transformed, and the possibility of magic hangs in the frosty air. And for Iggy and Martina, playing outside on just such a winter's day, reality swiftly turns into enchantment. Full review...
Merry Christmas, Hugless Douglas by David Melling
Hugless Douglas is a large, comfy sort of bear who burst onto the picture book scene a few years ago as he searched for just the right sort of hug. His endearing, hopeful face and that chubby (to put it politely) body instantly melted young hearts, and to universal delight we have since been treated to several more of his adventures. Douglas is hugless no longer, you'll be glad to know, but the name stuck, mostly because it's such fun to say (go on, try it!) and because he still bumbles through life embracing everything in sight as if cuddles are about to go out of fashion. Full review...
Supertato: Evil Pea Rules by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
For all their heroics and lantern jaws, everyone knows that the good guy is never the best thing about a book or film. That accolade goes to the bad guy. They are able to chew the scenery and give the type of larger than life performance a hero could only dream of. One of the best bad guys in children's fiction is not a guy at all, but a pea. An evil pea. At last this pea is given his opportunity to shine, but where there is an Evil Pea, a Supertato cannot be far behind. Full review...
Luna Loves Library Day by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers
Luna is always excited when library day comes around, not just because she gets to take her books back and borrow some new ones, but also because it's the day she spends with her dad. Once inside the library, magical things occur as the books Luna and her dad discover seemingly come to life. They spend their time together sharing stories, some that are more significant than others, until it's time for Luna to go home. Yet even once she's home, she still has her newly borrowed books to escape into, and the memories of her day with her dad. Full review...
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Alison Ritchie and Marisa Morea
Christmas is approaching and one little puppy is very excited about his first ever Christmas Day. Everywhere he looks the preparations are underway with every dog in town helping out. However will so many eager assistants joining in the fray help or hinder and will everything ever be ready in time? Full review...
What Was I Scared Of? by Dr Seuss
All Hallows' Eve is upon us once more and that can only mean that we are soon to be surrounded by all types of monsters, ghoulies and manifestations. Fear not, as many of these unsettling creatures will actually be children dressed up on another adventure trick or treating. But what about that pair of seemingly malevolent trousers that walk by themselves? That is no child, but a pair of haunted kecks. Run, run, run, but perhaps if you have them a friendly hello these pants may be nicer than you think? Full review...
I Am Bat by Morag Hood
Bat is a creature with very definite opinions. He does not like mornings, for example, but he does like cherries. In fact, he really loves cherries, as they are his favourite of all things! What do you think might happen if somebody takes Bat's cherries? Bat won't be happy, will he?! Full review...
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut by Dr Seuss
The more that you read,
The more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
The more places you'll go.
This is a classic Dr Seuss quote from this book, and one that I painstakingly stickered onto the wall of my children's school library! The book is very silly, as Dr Seuss always is, but is also a good rhyming ode to the joys of reading. Full review...
Oi Cat! by Kes Gray and Jim Field
When did children's books become so Meta? Back in the day each Thomas the Tank Engine adventure was separate from the other as if they lived in their own episodic wildness, but not today. In this world of Nintendo Switches and online platforms the average adult is too scared to venture onto, we have metaphysical children books. Books that reflect back on previous outings in the series. If you are going to get the most out of Oi Cat!, you best know about your Oi Frog! and Oi Dog! too. Full review...
Bonkers about Beetroot by Cath Jones and Chris Jevons
Sunset Safari Park rarely has any visitors and is in danger of closing down. To tackle the problem Zebra calls a meeting of all the animals and challenges them to find a way to make the safari park more interesting. Penguin thinks there's no hope but Zebra has a totally bonkers idea – they'll grow a beetroot. They'll grow the biggest beetroot in the world! It should be easy because they have plenty of manure (animal poo) to help it grow. At first it looks like Zebra's plan is going to work. One beetroot grows so big that crowds of people come to see it. There is just one problem – the beetroot keeps growing. Soon there won't be any room for visitors. Luckily, Zebra has another idea: an equally bonkers but totally brilliant idea. Full review...
The Turkey That Voted For Christmas by Madeleine Cook and Samara Hardy
Most right minded people have had enough of politics in recent years so the last thing that you want to read to your child is a book all about an election. At least this election is set on a farm, but anyone familiar with a certain George Orwell novel will know that this does not always turn out for the best. Surely a kid's book is not going to reflect modern politics? I mean, when have we recently seen turkeys voting for Christmas? Full review...
Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal
Trolling, bullying, cyber-shaming, whatever-it's-called-this-week-ing – all act as proof that the adage about sticks and stones is actually a lot of piffle. In a world where we all have hearts, we should have a heart that what we say to other people is positive. We can examine our world and the sound it makes through communication, we can make each other smile, laugh, sing and be happy together, and bit by bit the world can be a better place. And hang the 'no, after you' attitude some people would have in response. There, I've given the entire plot of this book away in my summary, but that's not really an issue. Full review...
Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
Meet Red and Lulu. They're a committed couple of cardinals, and they have lived for some time in someone's garden, safely in an evergreen tree. It seems to them that every year people mention their home in a lovely song, which tells the tree thy leaves are so unchanging. But one year, just as the seasons turn for the cold of winter, the tree vanishes, taking Lulu with it… Full review...
The Snow Lion by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones
Caro and her mother arrive at their new home in darkness. Once inside, the house is white, bare and empty. Caro wishes that she has someone to play with and feels a little lost and small. Then one day she hears a noise and a gentle voice asking to play. She has a new friend and a very special one. The Snow Lion has appeared as if by magic to help Caro learn how to make friends of her own and maybe find the courage she has been hiding inside. Full review...
All I Want For Christmas by Rachel Bright
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, filed down to a normal size. We all want different things on the 25th December; some ask for world peace, whilst others ask for something more achievable like a Tamagotchi. Whatever you want, is it really the true meaning of the season? All I Want For Christmas by Rachel Bright is a nice reminder that the real reason for Chrimbo is not gift giving, but the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. Full review...
Everybody Feels Angry! by Moira Butterfield and Holly Sterling
Children don't deal easily with the emotions which flood the brain - and then chaos ensues. You can try discussing the problem before it happens or immediately afterwards, but children don't appreciate the abstract either. What you need is a specific example, an occasion which they'll readily recognise and can then see how the emotion boils up and explodes. Moira Butterfield has produced a series of books, illustrated by Holly Sterling, which take a couple of times when an emotion takes everything over. One applies to a girl and one to a boy and we see how the situations resolve themselves. Full review...
The Ugly Five by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Creating a popular character is a double edged sword; one side is buckets of cold hard cash, the other is people demanding that you trot out the same old stuff. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler created the behemoth that is The Gruffalo and you could forgive them for producing countless books in this series, but they do not. Anyone who is a fan of the pairing will already know that their other work is also excellent; just ask Superworm or Room on the Broom. This is an established author/illustrator partnership and any new outing from them is exciting. Even if that is an outing about really ugly animals. Full review...
I Want to Go First by Richard Byrne
It's so not fair! Why should Elphie go last, just because he's the littlest? This is a question which will speak to the heart of many young children, especially those with siblings: the smallest bedroom, hand-me-down books that have been read and reread till their edges are frayed . . . but don't worry, Elphie has found the solution. Only thing is, he's going to need the reader's help to achieve his goal. Full review...
Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure by Alex T Smith
Mr Penguin is a brand new Professional Adventurer. He has a dashing hat, a large magnifying glass and an important looking office in his igloo to prove it. All he needs now is an adventure to go on. Just as he is beginning to despair of ever being asked to solve a mystery Boudicca Bones from the museum phones and asks for help. Can he and his trusty sidekick, Colin (the spider with expertise in martial arts!) find her missing treasure? Will the adventure become too dangerous for them? And will Mr Penguin ever have time to eat his fish finger sandwich packed lunch? Full review...
Madge Eekal's Christmas by Colleen Jacey and Zed Jacey
It was nearly Christmas and all the witches except Madge Eekal were busy putting up their festive lights. Madge's pet dragon, Ashon, wanted to know what had happened to their fairy lights. The truth was that Madge had tried to get them to work, but it seemed that the fairies were on strike: she couldn't get them to work. Ashon knew that it would, of course, have been much easier if they had electricity, like everyone else and that decided Madge - they would make their own electricity. She knew the perfect spell. Ashon was doubtful... and rightly so as it turned out Full review...
Say Zoop! by Herve Tullet
The average toddler has the attention span of the time it takes to …..SQUIRREL! Many modern children's books are packed full of flaps, textures and gimmicks in the desperate hope that they can draw the reader away from CBeebies for just five minutes. To grab them and keep them, your book should be short, punchy and fun. What you don't want to do is take a reasonable idea and play it out for page, after page, after page. What's that ….. SQUIRREL! Full review...
I Can't Sleep! by Stephanie Blake
Simon the little rabbit is back! He's not so little now, and his baby brother (from Stupid Baby by Stephanie Blake) has grown up into a toddler. This time we see Simon and Caspar playing happily together but then, in the night, poor Caspar realises that he's forgotten his blanket outside! What will the two brothers do? Caspar says he can't sleep without his blanket...will Simon be able to help him? Full review...
Worzel says hello! Will you be my friend? by Catherine Pickles and Chantal Bourgonje
I'd like you to meet Worzel, but you'll need to do exactly what I say. Worzel is quite a big dog, but that doesn't mean that he's fierce, or even very brave. In fact, he's frightened, and little as you are, he's frightened of you. He'd like to meet you though: can you see that nose just poking out from the side of the sofa? Now he's peering over the cushion - and finally he's risking leaving that very safe place he's found, behind the sofa. Full review...
Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide by Emma Yarlett
Some of you may already be aware of Nibbles. He is a little monster that likes to nibble everything. Nibbles nibbles socks, Nibbles nibbles clocks, but the thing that Nibbles likes to nibble most is books! Therefore, putting him in a book is not the safest place as he will try and eat his way out. Whilst the first book saw the tyke getting into trouble in fairy tales, this time it is non-fiction that has whetted his appetite and in particular a book all about dinosaurs. Full review...
Dragons: Father and Son by Alexandre Lacroix and Ronan Badel
You know dragons. They're there to look splendid and fierce, and to burn down human villages in rampages, with or without treasure in mind. But they need to be trained in that. And our father dragon has just tasked his son dragon with that very errand - to go and torch a human house. The lad is reluctant to cook anything more severe than lunch - what could possibly happen? Full review...
Elmer and the Tune by David McKee
Everybody loves a catchy tune, but sometimes you come across one that you just can't get out of your head, no matter how hard you try. And that's what has happened to Elmer and his friends – all over the jungle, folk are humming the same tune, over and over and over again, and passing it on to their friends and neighbours like a musical virus. Anyone who has heard about how the wheels on that wretched bus go round and round eleventy-seven gazillion times on a long car journey will know what we mean. Full review...
Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go by Dr Seuss and Tish Rabe
A slightly odd concept to get one's head around, Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go is both a book within a book, and a book sized advert all in one. Dr Seuss (fun fact: 'Seuss' originally rhymed with 'voice') wrote many, many books in his lifetime, and lots of us will be familiar with his best-known characters such as The Cat in the Hat and the copious numbers of adventures he wrote about such as when Horton Hears a Who. This book is different, because rather than introducing new wild and wacky characters, it brings together existing ones who may never have met each other before. Adapted by Tish Rabe (though very much influenced by Dr Seuss's originals), this book rattles through the different titles and their key characters, knitting them together with the premise that these are all people baby will meet in the future, through the wonder of children's books. Full review...
The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright and Jim Field
First we had a cute little mouse finding his inner beast in The Lion Inside and then we had a nervous koala trying to move out of his comfort zone in The Koala Who Could and now we have a couple of greedy, fighting squirrels. Whatever next? Full review...
