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How to Find a Fruit Bat by Michelle Robinson and Lauren Tobia
A young girl heads out on an expedition to find a fruit bat. After all, who better to eat all the fruit that she doesn't want to eat? She gets her cardboard box boat ready, packing it with everything she'll need (including fruit for the fruit bat). On her expedition, she runs into all sorts of excitement and adventure, then sails home in time for supper. Full review...
Mammoth Pie by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
On top of a mountain there lived a fat mammoth.
Down in the valley there lived a thin caveman.
The caveman was hungry. Very, very hungry.
He saw the mammoth and licked his lips.
Full review...
Catch Us If You Can-Can by Alex T Smith
Having met Foxy DuBois previously in the excellent Egg here she is again, as charming as ever and this time hoping to win a giant golden egg! In order to win the egg she must compete in a 'So you think you can boogie' competition (!) and, since the competition is open only to birds she must enter herself, and her unlikely dance partner, in disguise! Full review...
Scritch Scratch We Have Nits by Miriam Moss and Delphine Durand
There can't be many children who don't get nits at some point at school. This is a brilliant story to share with them if they're feeling a bit sensitive about it since the nits originate with the teacher! We meet the little louse who starts the trouble in the first place, and then watch as the lice babies jump around from child to child. Will everyone manage to get rid of the lice once and for all? Full review...
Rumbelow's Dance by John Yeoman and Quentin Blake
Rumbelow is a little boy with a great deal of energy so walking to his grandparent's house in town is no problem for him even though it is a long way. After his mother gives him a long list of very precise directions, he sets off. Although it is a very hot day, he is so happy that he feels the need to dance rather than just walk. Before long he meets a sad-faced farmer walking along with his sad-faced pig. The farmer moans that he will never get his lazy pig to market on such a hot day. However, Rumbelow has a suggestion: Full review...
I Didn't Do It! (Little Princess) by Tony Ross
There's mud all over the floor and the Queen blames the Little Princess. 'I didn't do it!' the Little Princess responds with a very disgruntled look upon her face. A little later, the Cook tells her off for eating all the chocolate cake; the Gardener thinks that she has trampled all over the radishes; the Prime Minister claims that he has taken the bell from his bicycle and the Admiral blames her for sinking all his ships. To each accusation, the Little Princess replies:
I didn't do it! Full review...
The Last Tiger by Rebecca Elliott
Luka lives in a very grey world, with no trees or plants or animals. Everyone has forgotten what is important but then one day Luka finds the very last tiger. Will the tiger bring everyone hope for the future, or will he spend his life away locked up in a cage? Full review...
George's Invisible Watch by David McKee and Brett McKee
George has an invisible watch. At first no one believes that he has an invisible watch, but slowly they find that his watch is always right until eventually they all begin to rely on him and his watch to tell the time! But what happens when one day nobody rings the bell at playtime so the children don't begin their lessons again? Has George's watch broken down? Full review...
The Red Boat by Hannah Cumming
Posy has moved to a new house, and she's feeling lonely. She isn't sure she likes it there - the neighbours might be a bit scary, and she doesn't like the shadows in her new room, and she's worried about starting a new school. What if no-one likes her? Luckily she has her dog, George, to keep her company, and one night the two of them find a magical boat in the garden that leads them to lots of exciting new adventures. Full review...
Tom and Millie's Great Big Treasure Hunt by Guy Parker-Rees
'Tom and Millie are excited they're going on a great, big treasure hunt! They have a list of Very Important Things to find.'
This is the opening of this enormously appealing book that draws the young reader in from the very start. The fact that Very Important Things all start with capitals obviously signifies that they are actually extremely important and definitely makes young children want to find out what these momentous objects are going to be. We find out that the search is going to start at the beach and that the first clue will be found on a square red flag. When you get to the beach though there are lots of other things and friends to spot too such as Adam licking a pink ice cream and Jake wearing a red cap. Full review...
A Little, Aloud for Children by Angela Macmillan
This very special anthology of story extracts and poems to share aloud is a wonderful idea from The Reader Organisation to encourage reading aloud to children by parents, teachers, grandparents, librarians, friends or even other children. The terrific and very varied selection includes something to appeal to all tastes. It should tempt the reader to seek out the original books from which the extracts are taken and maybe to try children’s fiction that they have not considered before. The book includes classics, tried and tested old favourites and newer titles too. Dipping into this anthology for the first time feels a little like meeting old and maybe long forgotten friends and making new ones along the way. Full review...
Yucky Mucky Manners by Sam Lloyd
Down in the jungle we're taking a walk to meet the animals. Sadly their manners leave a lot to be desired. Gorilla is picking his nose, Zebra is eating with his mouth open and parrot is talking over all his friends. Are there any polite animals to be found? Full review...
The Perfect Present by Fiona Roberton
We first met Henry in Wanted: The Perfect Pet (a story I still love!) when he went in search of a dog but found, in the end, that a small duck named Spot was actually everything he needed in a pet. This time the two friends are looking forward to Henry's birthday. Spot has found Henry what he thinks is the perfect present: a fishing rod that Henry has been gazing at in a shop window for quite some time. Henry tries to guess what Spot has bought him, and Spot is so excited about seeing Henry's face when he opens it. When morning comes the pair rush down to see all the presents. Henry is saving Spot's present for last however, just as he is about to open it Henry's grandparents arrive with a box. They place it in front of Henry and inside it is a dog! Henry is so excited he forgets to open Spot's gift and rushes outside to play with the dog. Poor Spot! Will this change their friendship forever? Full review...
The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees
Here come the animals one by one,
all getting ready for the Jungle Run.
This is how we meet all the animals at the start of this fabulous book, all limbering up on the bank of the river preparing for their big race. There's Parrot who is the starter for the race as well as a whole menagerie of other animals such as Elephant, Hippo, Snake and Cub. Most of the animals laugh at the prospect of the little Cub taking part telling him that he is too small to race. Undeterred though, he does decide to take part and soon the race is under way. And what a race it is with a big vine net to scramble under, a creeper rope to swing across and a huge water slide at the very end. Unsurprisingly, some of these obstacles prove to be quite hazardous for some of the larger animals and all sorts of mayhem ensues. Not for all the creatures though as there's one little creature who negotiates everything perfectly but does he end up winning the race? You'll have to read this lovely book to find out. Full review...
The Best Singer in the World by Ulf Nilsson and Eva Eriksson
There's a boy who loves to sing to his little brother, and his little brother thinks he's the very best singer in the world. He sings him 'You are my sunshine' and 'Jingle Bells' and a made-up song about farts (well, they are boys!) But when it comes to singing or speaking in front of other people - well, that's a different matter. So when he's asked to say a few words at the end of the school concert he finds himself growing more and more afraid. Will he find the courage to stand on stage and end the show? Full review...
Copycat Bear by Ellie Sandall
Mango has a best friend who is an enormous bear called Blue. Mango finds herself getting frustrated as Blue likes to copy everything that Mango does. Will the two friends be able to get along happily? Full review...
Ringo The Flamingo by Neil Griffiths and Judith Blake
Ringo the flamingo isn't quite like the other flamingos: his legs don't work. His mum and dad help him lots, and as he gets older, so do his friends and the rest of the flock. Life is mostly good for Ringo, but there are times when he wishes he could fly like the others. One day, as danger approaches, Ringo gets the opportunity to be a hero. Full review...
A Day With The Animal Firefighters by Sharon Rentta
Moose has joined the animal firefighters, and he's very excited. He's set for a day of daring rescues, blaring sirens, and haring around town at top speed. He and his friends are awfully brave, and it's a good thing too, as they're going to have a busy day. Full review...
The Fishing Trip by Beatrice Rodriguez
Fox, chicken and their not-yet-hatched egg have run out of food. Chicken decides to go out to try and get them something to eat, leaving fox to take care of the egg. Poor chicken faces big, scary birds and a giant sea monster...will she ever manage to find any food? And what will she find if she does manage to get home again? Full review...
My Friend Nigel by Jo Hodgkinson
Billy is a bit fed up of his parents constantly practising their magic especially when most of their spells go wrong. He is a little curious about all of their strange assortment of ingredients though:
Jellied bugs and pickled flies,
Bubbling potions,
Lizard tails,
And what was this?
A little snail?
Full review...
Friends by Michael Foreman
Cat is a cat and Bubble is a goldfish and as Cat points out at the start of this story, there are quite a few differences between them. The main one is that Cat is able to wander wild and free whereas Bubble is stuck in his tank and can only swim round and round or up and down. Because Bubble is his friend, Cat finds this quite upsetting; so much so, that he tells the reader:
...he just looks at me and sighs.
He is my friend. He breaks my heart.
Full review...
Animal Antics by Neil Griffiths and Janette Louden
It's the run-up to World Sport Week. Thanks to a rules challenge (presumably by a lawyer bird), animals are to be admitted for the first time. With much flapping of wings and clattering of hooves, the animals proceed to turn this Olympics-esque event into a whitewash for the non-human competitors. Full review...
The Jelly That Wouldn't Wobble by Angela Mitchell and Sarah Horne
Everyone knows that jellies are supposed to wobble but what will happen when a particularly stubborn jelly refuses to do any such thing? To make matters worse, this is the jelly that has been specially prepared for Princess Lolly's 89th birthday party. As she is the sort of princess who likes to get her own way this poses a bit of a problem. So desperate is she for her jelly to wobble though, she offers a reward of a thousand and one chocolate sovereigns for anyone who can come up with a solution. Lots of suggestions are made including prodding it with a walking stick and scaring it. However, it is the youngest guest at the party who eventually comes up with an idea that works but I'll leave you to guess what it might be! Full review...
The Snuggle Sandwich by Malachy Doyle and Gwen Millward
The day starts very peacefully as Annie wakes in her own bed and listens to the silence. She decides that it's the perfect time to creep into her parents' bed:
They're a cosy snuggle sandwich.
She's the jam and they're the bread!
Full review...
Chickens Can't See in the Dark by Kristyna Litten
When a little chick called Pippa hears her teacher, Mr Benedict, say:
As sure as eggs is eggs, chickens can't see in the dark.
she is extremely disappointed. She thinks that not being able to see in the dark is a terrible thing and desperately wants to prove her teacher wrong. There are a number of characters who might be able to help such as the wise Mr Owl or Miss Featherbrain who runs the library. The only problem is that they all laugh at Pippa and reinforces the notion that chickens can't see in the dark. Full review...
Grandma Bendy by Izy Penguin
Grandma Bendy is definitely not like other grannies:
She is incredibly bendy.
She had twisty, twizzly arms
and super, stretchy legs.
Full review...
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss
It's not an easy life being a spider. You have to avoid vacuum cleaners, daddy longlegs, and people with big shoes. There are good things too: you get to have fun with your best friend, Fly, and spend time with your loving family. Diary of a Spider takes us through a few months in the life of a young spider, taking in the fun and adventure. Full review...
Boat Works by Tom Slaughter
Imagine seeing just a little bit of a boat. It's not enough for you to decide whether it's big or small, or what it does, but on the opposite page there's another clue. 'I have two oars' - and there they are for all to see. But look more closely. You can fold that second page out for yet another clue: 'I have a rope which ties me to the dock' and there's the rope, strong and hairy, with a complex knot. Now you can fold out the second clue to reveal that his is a rowboat, by the name of Nelly, tied up at the dock. Neat, eh? Full review...
Bear's Underwear Mystery: A Count-and-Find-it Adventure by Todd H Doodler
Bear receives a mysterious message: 'Follow the trail of underwear. Find all TEN and you'll be THERE'. He's delighted to be involved in a mystery and goes off hunting for the white pair which is number one. Once they are found he's off in search of the pair with blue stripes, then the pair with green spots, another in purple plaid and so on... Each page has a number tab for extra fun. Full review...
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
Everyone knows the story of the Three Little Pigs, but in this version, when the wolf comes along and huffs and puffs, he actually blows the little pigs right out of the story. In fact, they float across a number of pages before eventually ending up in the middle of Hey diddle diddle! However, they don't find this nursery rhyme to their liking so they move on to a story about a prince who kills a dragon. Having just escaped from their own dangerous enemy, the three pigs realise that they can't possibly leave the dragon to be slain, so they take him with them right the way back to their own story where, with the help of their new friend, they definitely don't allow the wolf in. Full review...
The King who Wouldn't Sleep by Debbie Singleton and Holly Swain
'Many years ago, in a palace far across the sea, there lived a king, a queen and, of course, a beautiful princess'.
In fact the princess is so beautiful and the king loves her so much that he resolves to watch over her every single day and night until he is able to find her the perfect suitor. In true traditional tale style, princes travel from far and wide to try and win the hand of the princess and, more importantly, the approval of the king. Unfortunately, even though there are all sorts of princes – tall, short, strong, weak, blond, bald and so on – not one is good enough for the king's much loved daughter. Full review...
The Super Swooper Dinosaur by Martin Waddell and Leonie Lord
'One day, Hal and his little dog, Billy, were out playing when the sky darkened and...'
The next thing Hal knows is that an enormous winged super swooper dinosaur has landed in his garden and wants to play. Well, you don't really want to argue with a dinosaur that you have only just met so Hal agrees. The first game that the super swooper suggest is Hide-and-seek but it soon becomes apparent that it won't be very successful as the dinosaur is too big to hide anywhere in the garden and is easily found by Hal every time. It's time to think of something else but the next idea, dino-dancing, is equally unsuccessful when Hal's new playmate ends up dancing on the roof. Paddling is equally problematic when the super swooper lands in the little paddling pool with an enormous splash which completely soaks Hal's mum Full review...
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Harold and the Purple Crayon is a classic picture book that celebrates the power of the imagination. Harold draws his own journey with the crayon. When he gets hungry, he draws himself a picnic. When he wants to walk through a forest, the crayon helps out. His slight figure walks across the plain white pages of the book creating everything that the reader sees. But the things Harold draws don’t always do what he likes, and he has to think quickly to reach the safety of his bed at the end of the tale. Full review...
Snip Snap, look who's back! by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland
Were the people scared? You bet they were!
So says Mara Bergman when the alligator from Snip Snap! What’s that? returns for further slightly scary fun. The original story is a sure fire hit as a read aloud and fans will definitely want to try this sequel. Full review...
Fly, Chick, Fly by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Do you have a born worrier in your family? This picture book is for them. Two of the owlets in the tale leave the nest with excitement and confidence. The third one is too much of a thinker for her own good. When her parents say she has to fly, she replies
If I fly, the crow might get me.
If I fly, the rain might wet me.
If I fly, a train might hit me.
My sister flew and never came back.
Why would I want to fly?
Full review...
Elephant Pants by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and David Wojtowycz
Oh, fiddle-dee fickers,
Where, oh where, oh
WHERE are my knickers?”
This is the plaintive cry from Major Trump that sets the tone at the start of this wonderfully entertaining story and sends Noah and all the animals on the ark into a flap. Major Trump asks Noah to help locate the missing undies which are a fetching red pair with white hearts that match his wife's. Noah calls an ark alert and gathers all the other animals round in order to line up and display the pants that they are wearing. What then follows is a comical parade of animal pairs showing of their weird and wonderful underwear. There are hippos brandishing stars and stripes pants, flamingos with frilly knickers, tigers in super-strength drawers and horses wearing ones that are organic, recycled and handmade. I have only mentioned a few of what is quite a sensational collection of varied underwear. Unfortunately, no one is wearing the missing undies but perhaps there is another explanation for where they might be! Full review...
Katie in London by James Mayhew
Katie is visiting London with her little brother and her Grandma. When Grandma gets tired they stop a while in Trafalgar Square, and whilst Grandma rests on a bench Katie and her brother find themselves going on a magical adventure with one of the Trafalgar Square lions! Full review...
Cheer Up Your Teddy Bear, Emily Brown! by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton (illustrator)
Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, are having fun indoors on a very grey and rainy day. They meet a small, very wet little teddy bear who is singing sad, self-commiserating songs to herself about how sad and lonely she is. Of course, Emily and Stanley feel compelled to help, so they take the teddy with them to the Outback of Australia, but will they manage to cheer the little teddy up? Full review...
Small Bunny's Blue Blanket by Tatyana Feeney
Small Bunny has a blue blanket. He loves his blanket very much and takes it everywhere he goes. It helps him to do all the things he enjoys doing, like swinging and painting and reading. Of course, this means that Blue Blanket gets rather dirty, and so one day Mummy says that both Small Bunny and Blue Blanket need to have a wash... Full review...
Secret Agent Splat! by Rob Scotton
Splat the Cat has a collection of wooden ducks, made by his father, that he is very proud of. He keeps them in a display case in the garden shed and has named every one of them. Therefore, you can imagine his dismay when one day he discovers that the red duck is missing. The following day he discovers that the blue duck is missing although the red one has been returned. He would have been happy about this apart from the fact that its beak is missing. The day after, the blue one's back (minus its beak) but the green one is no longer there. It's certainly a mystery and Splat is determined to get to the bottom of it with a little help from his friend, Seymour. Full review...
Elmer and Butterfly by David McKee
One day, Elmer, the patchwork elephant, is out walking when he hears a cry for help. It's his cousin, Wilbur, playing tricks and because of this, when Elmer hears a second cry for help he is tempted to ignore it. Luckily, he doesn't though, as this time the plea is for real as Butterfly is trapped behind a fallen branch. It does not take Elmer long to set his small friend free and, of course, Butterfly is enormously grateful. Anxious to return the favour, Butterfly promises to repay Elmer one day and tells him just to call if help is needed. Elmer thinks that is highly unlikely and, as he goes on his way, he chuckles:
A butterfly saving and elephant, that's a good one! Full review...
Wumbers by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Wumbers mixes - as you might have guessed - words and numbers. Think text speak that doesn't horrify stuffy parents. Each page takes in a different scene, with a speech bubble along the lines of Look at his 2can ta2!"" It takes a little bit of decoding for its young readers (and rapidly ageing reviewers) but look upon it as a bit of a game, and it's good fun. Full review...
The Great Fairy Tale Disaster by David Conway and Melanie Williamson
'Once Upon a Time there lived an old Big Bad Wolf. He no longer had any huff and puff to blow down the Three Little Pigs' house and he'd had enough of falling into hot water.'
Well, when it's put like that it's no wonder that the Big Bad Wolf decides that he has had enough of his own particular fairy tale. He decides that he needs a nice relaxing one instead and thinks that he would fit in well to Cinderella. However, when a very nervous Cinderella allows him to take her place, he's not too happy to find himself in a dress and glass slippers. It's not good for his macho wolf's image at all. Full review...
The Really, Really, Really Big Dinosaur by Richard Byrne
Finlay is what you might call a little dinosaur; there are certainly plenty bigger than him. One day, a big dinosaur walks past and Finlay offers to share his jelly beans with him.
But the big dinosaur wants all the jelly beans for himself and even though Finlay explains that the jelly beans actually belong to his really big friend and they aren't his to give away, the big dinosaur just puffs up his chest and tells Finlay to let his friend know that he's going to take the jelly beans all for himself anyway. Full review...
Monsters Don't Cry! by Brett McKee and Ella Burfoot
Archie awoke with a shout in the night.
Only a dream, but what a terrible fright.
Well monsters may roar, may growl or just sigh,
But monsters are strong, monsters don't cry.
Archie is a funny, adventurous and brave little chap but in spite of the fact that he's a little monster – literally – sometimes when life's little twists and turns don't go his way, it all gets a bit upsetting. Because even monsters get scared; especially little ones like Archie. Full review...
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
When it's bedtime at the zoo the zookeeper goes round all the animals and wishes them 'good night'. What he doesn't realise is that the crafty gorilla has gently lifted the zoo keeper's key ring from his belt and is opening the cages. All the animals - Elephant, Lion, Hyena, Giraffe and Armadillo are tiptoeing along behind the zookeeper as he leaves the zoo and goes home to bed, completely unaware that he has all his friends with him. In fact - it's not until his wife wishes him good night and receives a lot more replies than she was expecting that the animals are found out. I'm not going to tell you the rest of the story because I want you to enjoy it for yourself. Full review...
I Don't Want to Wash my Hands (Little Princess) by Tony Ross
The Little Princess is always getting her hands dirty whether it's by playing in the palace garden, stroking Scruff, the dog or going on her potty. Whenever she does any of these, there's always someone there to tell her to wash her hands. Now, as the Little Princess never likes being told what to do, she does not take kindly to this hand washing business and she demands to know why. However, when the level-headed maid, who never puts up with any of her nonsense, tells her about all the germs and nasties and horrible things that could make her ill, she is soon found rushing to the hand basin at every opportunity. Not only that, she starts insisting that everyone else always washes their hands too. Full review...
