Don’t Do It, Doug

Doug is a hamster of insatiable curiosity and a penchant for trouble. From shaking cans of fizzy drink to raiding a hive for honey, he impulsively does things which other people would think twice about. Can he change his ways?

‘Don’t Do It, Doug’ is another wonderful story from Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie.

Acting without thinking is something which we are all guilty of from time to time. Snaccidents relating to chocolate and buying piles of books are things happen all too often in my life! Little children are often impulsive for a wide range of developmental reasons and this lovely story offers a humorous, non-judgemental way of opening conversations around considering consequences.

The bold, colourful illustrations are just wonderful! full of humour and offering plenty to linger over and discuss, they work perfectly with the minimal, chatty text which charts Doug’s many disasters. Diverting Doug with lots of activity works for a while, but the reader is left wondering whether he will make the right decision at the end of book, encouraging children to predict and explore the different scenarios which might ensue!

The book could also be used to inspire lots of lovely creative work from role play to ‘jumping’ Dougs and other art projects to science experiments! Perfect for school and home!

Don’t Do It, Doug

Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838919856

You can read my review of ‘Hank Goes Honk’ here and ‘Hank Meets Frank’ here

The Not-So Great Escape

Hedley Ambrose has become extremely cautious since the crash which changed his life for ever. His grief stricken father has retreated to his bed and Hedley now attends the Bridlebank Therapy Activities Centre each weekend, where his room mate, Aiden, constantly mistreats him. Keen to encourage both boys out of themselves, Hedley’s support worker, Nic, decides they would benefit from working at the local petting zoo, home to an alpaca named Duke. When Aiden decides to steal Duke, Hedley, fearing he will be blamed for the crime, along with his little sister, Lilly, find themselves on a quest to take Duke to a rescue centre which becomes increasingly chaotic and out of control until Hedley finds he must face the truth that he has been running from all along.

Oh my word- ‘The Not-So Great Escape’ is an incredible story which packs a huge emotional punch!

As the story begins, readers are aware that Hedley has experienced a traumatic loss which has left him hugely vulnerable whilst also trying to care for his father. He is such a lovely boy whose big heart and gentle nature make him incredibly appealing and easy to empathise with. He worries endlessly about the possible consequences of every scenario and accepts Aiden’s relentless bullying as part of his life. Caught up in a series of events over which he has no control, Hedley is forced to take risks and the relationship between the two boys gradually shifts and an understanding develops between them allowing the reader to see Aiden in a different light, encouraging empathy and understanding of how he behaves, whilst recognising he has made some very poor choices along the way.

In many places the book reads like a slap-stick comedy as the children and Duke lurch from one crazy situation to another with the ‘Alpaca Bandit’ growing in fame and attracting media attention, their exploits leaving a trail of chaos and destruction behind them, making it a very entertaining read. However, although there are some inklings along the way, the ending is a real shocker, deeply poignant, expressing raw emotion. It is beautifully handled, but teachers or other adults suggesting this for young children should be aware of the emotional impact this might have on them.

Quite outstanding!

The Not-So Great Escape

Emma Green

Usborne ISBN: 978-1836045663

Boss of the Underworld: Shirley vs the Huge Beast

When Shirley’s best friend, George, is kidnapped and taken to the underworld by a large mole, she sets off to save him. Having been created ‘temporary’ Queen of the Under-Underworld by the true queen, Shirley must travel across this land, accompanied by Peels, servant to the queen, to defeat a huge giant which has been terrorising the land and rescue George.

Completely bonkers and endlessly entertaining, ‘Shirley vs the Huge Beast’ is as imaginative as it is funny! On her quest to rescue George, she and Peels face- and survive- a catalogue of nightmarish disasters worthy of Indiana Jones. Visual humour combines brilliantly with witty lines, offering a very pacy and satisfying read.

For anyone who hasn’t read the first book in the series, a summary sets the scene, leading straight into the action. Teamwork wins the day and Shirley once again shows herself to be loyal, determined and brave. The book ends with a ‘spot the difference’ and a find ten ‘pesky fare dodgers’! Children will enjoy reading this one again and again, noticing more details and appreciating more of the humour with each re-read!

Boss of the Underworld: Shirley vs the Huge Beast

Tor Freeman

Hachette ISBN: 978-1444976410

Postman Planet

Planet Orderon might be grey and boring, but it is essential to the smooth running of the galaxy as it is where all the boring jobs are done. Organising the postal service is something that is taken very seriously and when a tricky mission comes along, only Postman Planet is considered for the job! However, Postman Planet is hiding a very big secret…he is only 9 years old. Despite this, he and his new assistant, Stamp, must make an important delivery to save the Planet of Fluffy Unicorns.

‘Postman Planet’ fizzes with fun and energy from the very first page! Packed with highly entertaining, comical illustrations, the story romps along at a lively pace, perfect for engaging reluctant and keen readers alike!

The use of short chapters allows the reader to move through the action quickly and keep track as the story moves around, giving additional information about events and characters. Although full of quirky humour, the importance of teamwork and friendship is also celebrated. ‘Postman Planet’ would make a great bedtime story, making a special, shared experience to remember!

Postman Planet

Ben Davis, illustrated by Yasmin Sheikh

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398545953

Donut Squad Make a Mess!

Having defeated the Bagels, those sworn enemies of all Donuts, the Donut Squad is heading for the Great Outdoors for some camping.

It is almost impossible to review the chaotic madness which is at the heart of ‘Donut Squad Make a Mess!’- it is one of those books which you just have to read to enjoy! In a series of crazy capers, the Donuts shenanigans are presented in comic strips interspersed with adverts and puzzles- name that donut!- whilst a shocking secret means the Bagels might not have been as defeated as the Donuts thought!

There is something very addictive about these illustrations and their zany humour which make the books irresistible. Drawing advice is offered at the end of the book, inspiring children to create their own Donut adventures- or just have some fun doodling. It’s no wonder children (and adults!) find these books so appealing.

Donut Squad Make a Mess!

Neill Cameron

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788453585

You can read my review of ‘Donut Squad Take Over the World’ here.

Finn’s Epic Fails

Finn’s life seems destined to be a series of epic fails. Year 7 is plagued with boring lessons and evil teachers and at home, he has to contend with a unicorn-obsessed, evil little sister, a muscle-bound, vain older brother and a father who, since the divorce, has taken up wearing Lycra. Armed with his two best friends, Google and Laszlo, Finn is determined to negotiate life at secondary school without any issues, but when you are prone to epic fail after epic fail, will this be possible?

Offering a marked contrast to Phil’s recent series of historical novels, ‘Finn’s Epic Fails’ really is a laugh-a-minute read! Finn is instantly likeable and readers will instantly empathise with the many mortifying scrapes and ‘fails’ he encounters along the way. A ‘Fail-O-Meter’ at the beginning of each chapter indicates just how cringe worthy Finn’s life is going to get from a ‘Super Rare Win’ to ‘100% Epic Fail’. It will come as no surprise to learn that the wins are indeed ‘super rare’, but Finn’s resilience and general good humour as he recounts his experiences in this book which is definitely NOT a diary!

Short chapters, a fast paced, entertaining narrative and lively illustrations all combine to make the ups and downs of Finn’s life a very entertaining and engaging read. I notice Finn has the same high opinion of Frazzles as the author does which makes me wonder how much of Phil’s own school day experiences have made their way into the story!!

Finn’s Epic Fails

Phil Earle, illustrated by Al Murphy

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398546165

You can read my review of ‘Until the Road Ends’ here.

Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert is Scared of Frogs

Frank and Bert love to visit the little pond where they can play with Bert’s toy boat. However, Bert is very scared of frogs and when he spots one on the pond, Frank tries to help him manage his fear. But Frank has a secret…Bert’s not the only one who is afraid of frogs.

The ‘Frank and Bert’ books are some of the most delightful picture books about friendship! In these stories, these two very different characters show that not only can opposites attract, but can form deep, enduring friendships based on support and trust.

Bert is very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ sort of character! Loyal and lovable, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Frank is kind and supportive and, in his efforts to help Bert cope with the frogs by the pond, pretends that he is not scared of frogs. Once he admits that he too is afraid, the two friends are able to face their fear together. Their attempt to deal with the frog leads to laughter which helps them to realise that frogs are nothing to be frightened of.

Perfect for both school and home settings, ‘The One Where Bert is Scared of Frogs’ makes an excellent starting point for discussing fears and how we deal with them as well as the ways in which good friends support each other. The gorgeous illustrations are a real joy and children will love to return to this story- and the others in the series- again and again!

Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert is Scared of Frogs

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805133971

You can read my review of ‘Frank and Bert’ here , Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike’ here, ‘Frank and Bert: The One Where Frank Learns to Play Football’ here and ‘Frank and Bert: The One with the Missing Biscuits’ here and discover some Frank and Bert activities here.

Flush It Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time

Any teacher will tell you that one of the most frequently asked questions when on a history based trip will be around how people used to go to the loo! This very human fascination with this very human function is comprehensively covered in this surprisingly interesting book!

Having started with a focus on poo entitled ‘Ew Gross!’ which explains not only what it is, but also why we find it so distasteful, the author moves on to a look at poo through the ages from prehistoric to modern times. Developments in toilet technology across the world are covered as well as the devastating impact of the deadly diseases spread by dirty living conditions.

The book is packed with entertaining illustrations and plenty of word play and puns, adding much humour to the subject. However, more serious issues around the problems of human waste and dealing with these challenges today are also raised with a look at future, more sustainable solutions.

A fun addition to any bookshelf, ‘Flush It Down’ is full of historical and scientific information, allowing readers to discover more about sewers through time!

Flush It Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time

Rob Flowers

Cicada ISBN: 978-1800660649

Hotel Flamingo: Frosty Fiesta

It’s very quiet at Hotel Flamingo as the nights are getting darker so Anna is delighted when she is asked to arrange a hibernation party for Mrs Turpington, one of the hotel’s longest residents. Finding themselves completely snowed in, however, Anna is just feeling pleased there aren’t more guests when lots of bookings come in and she learns that the Winter White-out Games are taking place on Animal Boulevard, leaving Anna and the hotel staff with plenty to organise!

I love the Hotel Flamingo series and know how many children enjoy them so I was delighted to discover ‘Frosty Fiesta’, the latest in the series.

Offering the perfect mix of text and illustration, ‘Frosty Fiesta’ is perfect for newly independent readers developing their reading stamina as well as making a most enjoyable shared read. The gentle humour and cast of colourful and endearing characters are so engaging and there are some new guests to get to know amongst the familiar faces.

Anna once again shows herself to be caring, hard-working and loyal, determined to make sure everyone’s stay at her hotel is the very best it can be, even if it means building an ice hotel to accommodate extra guests! When it looks as if the Winter Games are going to have to be cancelled, she rallies everyone to make sure that everything is ready. She also ensures that Mrs Turpington’s guests manage to make their way through the snow so that her party is a great success.

The illustrations are as delightful as ever, helping to make this a very tempting read!

Hotel Flamingo: Frosty Fiesta

Alex Milway

Piccadilly Press ISBN: 978-1835870891

Adventure Mice: Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth

When Uncle Bernie visits the Adventuremice, he brings them his latest invention, the Mechanical Mole. Taking it for a test drive, they discover an amazing underground world, inhabited by some friendly cave mice- and a not-so-friendly Hamstersaurus Rex. Can the intrepid Adventuremice save the day?

This series just gets better and better! Fabulous illustrations and humorous, pacy adventures combine to create very satisfying and engaging stories, perfect for young readers.

In ‘Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth’, Pedro and his team discover a fascinating underground world. As usual, through teamwork, dedication, creativity and imagination, they find solutions to problems and help others. With the Hamstersaurus stomping around, threatening the peaceful Cave Mice, it takes all their ingenuity- and some empathy and understanding from Pedro- to make everyone happy. The story is perfect for encouraging readers to consider things from other viewpoints, considering why some might act as they do and looking for a happy path, catering for the needs of all.

Everyone of the books in this series offers so many opportunities for developing creative ideas and encouraging imaginative play. As usual, there is a step-by-step drawing guide, this time for how to draw the Hamstersaurus Rex, encouraging children to create their own adventures and illustrating them. A wonderful map of the ‘Fern Cavern’ is included at the end of the book, allowing children to follow the action in the story - as well as sparking ideas for storytelling.

The Adventuremice also create a hot air balloon which allows them to return home. Children would enjoy creating their own balloons from different materials and experimenting with flying them using a hairdryer to provide the hot air, deciding how to make this a fair test… or simply for the fun factor!

I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Visually engaging, bursting with imaginative ideas, full of humour and heart, they are utterly delightful. Having keen eyes and having noticed the message at the front, I also know that there is a website- Adventuremice.com- where you can find out more about the team!

AdventureMice: Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth

Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

David Fickling ISBN: 978-1788453530

You can read my review of ‘Otter Chaos’ here, ‘Mice on the Moon’ here, ‘Mice on the Ice’ here and ‘Mice, Camera, Action!’ here.

Sin Bin Island

When Jack Winston Claremont Digby- Digs to his friends- finds himself with the family solicitor after the death of his mum, stepfather and sister, he has no idea how strange things are about to become. He has been left a strange set of Russian nesting dolls and discovers that, instead of being taken care of by family friend, Mrs O’Malley, he is to be sent to the Cyril Snigg’s Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls. The doll, it turns out, opens to reveal instructions to help him navigate his now uncertain future- and Digs is going to need all the help he can get to survive the bizarre lessons, systems and punishments of his new school. At the end of each year, the four worst-behaved pupils are sent to Sin Bind Island, a terrifying place where they must survive for a week…

As a huge Red Dwarf fan, I was very keen to read ‘Sin Bin Island’ as its author, Doug Naylor, is one of the creators of that excellent series. Fast paced, packed with adventure and full of humour, the story is every bit as good as I hoped it would be!

The first part of the book focuses on Digs arrival at the Cyril Snigg’s Correctional Orphanage for Wayward Boys and Girls, or ‘Cowbag’ as the pupils call it, following his fortunes as he builds friendships and learns more about the orphanage, its creation and its secrets. Digs is a thoroughly likeable character, determined to do his best in the face of adversity, loyal and kind-hearted. Baffled by the decision which has landed him at this very odd school, he wastes no time moping, but quickly makes friends- and learns who to avoid. These friendships will stand him in good stead when he has to face the horrors of Sin Bin island!

Although the story shares many of the expected elements of a boarding school story, it is peppered with original twists. The second half of the book tackles the children’s experiences on Sin Bin Island. Full of peril and excitement, the story romps along to its conclusion which leaves plenty of scope for future adventures for Digs and his friends. The layered plot and pleasing pace make this story perfect for those looking for a more challenging and very entertaining read in Y6 and into secondary.

Can’t wait for the next one!

Sin Bin Island

Doug Naylor

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788453707

The Beast from Beneath

Malory Vayle is getting used to her new powers as a necromancer, but still has a lot to learn about her new, very talkative and self-obsessed, friend, Maggoty, a skull with a penchant for wigs. Having made the mistake of walking past a shop called ‘Les Wigs’, Maggoty is now determined to own the ‘Eleganza’, an elaborate hairpiece complete with ostrich feathers which is far too expensive for Mallory to hope to afford- there is no money for food, let alone wigs! However, Aunt Lilith, who Mallory now lives with, has come up with a scheme. Holding a Grand Séance will raise the money they need. But when this goes horribly wrong and an evil power is unleashed, Mallory and Maggoty must face great peril to thwart its evil plan. Will they succeed and, more importantly, will Mallory get his wig?

I have to confess that I was not sure about this one before I started it, but soon found myself giggling in the corner of a coffee shop at the antics of the somehow loveable Maggoty and the long-suffering Mallory! ‘The Beast from Beneath’ is a delightful romp of a story, with a slightly spooky edge!

Although the sequel to ‘Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull’, it is possible to read this one as a stand alone. Plenty of background information is given, quickly catching the reader up with past events; however, if book one is as hysterical as book two, no one will want to miss it!

Maggoty is very much the star of the show! He has no filter and says things as he sees them regardless of the situation. However, when it comes to the crunch, it seems that he is more fond of Mallory than it might first appear! Although the subject matter of the book is quite dark- necromancers, evil spirits, ghosts, seances and death do not make for a light read- there is so much humour in the story that this does not read like a horror story.

Mallory is a really interesting character. Aware of her powers, she, unlike her Aunt, knows they need to be treated with care and caution, giving her a wisdom beyond her years. Both courageous and loyal, she is determined to save her aunt and is also prepared to sacrifice her own happiness to do what she thinks is the right thing.

There might be adults who have reservations about the content so this would need to be carefully considered before choosing this as a class story. Having said that, I think it would make a very entertaining class book, enjoyed by adults and children alike!

Mallory Vayle and Maggoty Skull in The Beast from Beneath

Martin Howard, illustrated by Pete Williamson

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805132264

The Last Bard

When Will’s father dies, he and his mother, Mary, have to move in with Will’s Uncle Claude and his cousin, Jon. Treated like servants by Claude, who never loses an opportunity to remind them that they are only there because of his ‘kindness’, they are relieved to leave his home for a while whilst they sort out Will’s grandfather’s flat in a complex called Arden Heights. Here, Will meets Ani, another occupant, who is determined to save the flats from being sold off for redevelopment- and sees Will as someone who can help her. Will also makes a curious discovery amongst his grandfather’s possessions- a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare which contains some of the characters from the Bard’s plays. With their ‘help’, can Will find the courage he needs to turn his life around?

‘The Last Bard’ is bursting with humour, heart and lots of Shakespearean references, making it a fabulous read!

Will is such a relatable character. His grief at the loss of his father combined with his new living conditions make it impossible not to empathise with him, making the reader really invested in his story. His relationship with his mother is beautifully portrayed and seeing her diminished and bullied by her brother, Will’s Uncle Claude, only adds to his pain as he keeps secrets from her, attempting to lessen her burden. There are plenty of poignant moments in the story, allowing for discussion and reflection, but these are balanced by a comedy of errors as his new Shakespearean friends get to work!

Will is not the only brilliantly captured character! His mum, Mary, is just wonderful and each of the inhabitants of Arden Heights are well developed and believable. Uncle Claude and Jon are thoroughly nasty pieces of work, highlighting the complexity of some family relationships, yet others whom seem less likeable are given more depth as Will comes to know and understand them. Ani is a force of nature- outspoken, determined and courageous, she also has a more complex ‘back story’ which is gradually uncovered as the story progresses.

The Shakespearean element of the story is pure genius! Anyone familiar the Shakespeare’s life and plays will delight in spotting the links and anyone who is not is sure to be tempted to find out all about them! Even the chapter headings and some names draw on his works! As Puck, Lady Macbeth, Yorick’s skull and Juliet, the remaining characters trapped in his copy of ‘The Complete Works’ strive to help Will save Arden Heights, things go horribly and hysterically wrong and yet allow Will to quietly observe, listen and help in his own way, making sure ‘all’s well that end’s well’!

There is so much to love in this story that I felt quite disappointed when it ended. Not because of a poor ending (quite the contrary!), but because I was enjoying it so much! Although this would make an excellent class story, sensitivity to the possible experiences of listeners is essential.

The Last Bard

Maz Evans

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1913696900

Unicorn Post

One day, when a little girl is playing in her tree house, a unicorn arrives. Keen to help her new friend, the little girl takes the unicorn to visit places around the town which might make a suitable new home. From the pet shop to the fair, together they explore until, at last, the unicorn finds its perfect forever home.

Simply delightful from start to finish, ‘Unicorn Post’ is a gentle, heart-warming story, perfect for sharing.

Children will love lifting the flaps to explore the leaflets and letters which are found throughout the book, enhancing the story with lots of additional details and humour. These are so delightful that readers are sure to be inspired to create their own little leaflets and letters, perhaps as part of their own book made in this style. The Funfair map includes a key to help identify the different rides and locations whilst the leaflet from the pet shop is full of ‘purrfect’ puns and and ‘cheep’ offers!

The illustrations are gorgeous and the whole book has a rosy glow which adds to the warm feeling of the story. As the little girl tries her best to find the unicorn a home, the relationship between them blossoms until, although happy she has found the perfect place for the unicorn to live, the little girl is deeply saddened to leave her new friend behind, leading to a long walk home with no singing and a grey tinge spreading across the landscape. Fortunately, the perfect happy ending is just round the corner and the new friends are happily reunited!

Although not many people write and post letters these days, this book reminds us how nice it is to receive something so personal! ‘Unicorn Post’ is a real joy!

Unicorn Post

Emma Yarlett

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529525175

You can read my review of ‘Nibbles The Very Hungry Book Monster’ here and ‘Dragon Post’ here.

Hank meets Frank

Hank the goose can be a little bit objectionable- that means bad-mannered and rude- at times. However, he can also be good when he tries which is really important today as his sweet little cousin, Frank, is coming to play. However, cousin Frank might not be as lovely as everyone believes leading to a little cousin-ly rivalry!

Like ‘Hank Goes Honk’, ‘Hank Meets Frank’ is a wonderfully funny story which both children and adults will love to share again and again!

Although Frank might appear sweet and innocent, he is full of mischief and soon starts making trouble for Hank. But Hank ups the ante and soon things get out of control as they try to get one up on each other. The illustrations are bursting with humour and readers will enjoy spotting each prank until the final spread where they are pulled into the action! Whether reading with a class or snuggled up with someone special, the story will have everyone giggling- and perhaps plotting a few pranks of their own.

The story also offers the opportunity for discussing how quickly things can get out of hand if ‘jokes’ are taken to excess! In the end of this book, the devious duo join forces, but these things can often escalate and cause problems.

Colourful, attractive illustrations and comic narration combine to make this a real treat!

Hank Meets Frank

Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838918552

You can read my review of Hank Goes Honk here.

Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

A child sets out to the shop in search of a carrot, but finds he has been sold a parrot. ‘Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do not!’, he cries. Off he goes once more in search of a hat…and comes home with a cat! And so the story continues until an unexpected puppy causes chaos. When the doorbell rings, all the shopkeepers are at the door, bearing the items which has been originally requested, leading to an impromptu party!

‘Oh Dear, Look What I Got!’ is a delightful cumulative tale, full of fun and fabulous illustrations.

The bouncy rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud and children will enjoy predicting what comes next as well as joining in with the repeated refrain of ‘Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do not!’ which comes after every mistaken purchase. The illustrations offer little clues - a bear’s clawed paw poking from one bundle, a forked tongue from another- adding to the fun of predicting what is about to appear. The story lends itself to creating additional trips to the shops, with children adding rhymes of their own before joining in with a chorus of ‘Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No, I do not!’!

The illustrations are wonderful! On each journey to the shops, the child (I chose to use ‘he’- no indication is given as to whether it is a boy or girl) is followed by all the previous creatures acquired and there are so many details to notice and enjoy. The story starts and continues on the end papers, offering children the opportunity to continue the tale with their own ideas about what happens next!

Simply delightful!

Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Walker ISBN: 978-1529510898

Dragon Dave the (Not So) Brave

Stuck in a book with an ending which he really doesn’t like, Dragon Dave escapes to the title page. When Prince George finds him, looking sad, Dave explains and together, they set about changing things. Having identified the disappointing parts of the story, they re-write these to Dave’s satisfaction!

‘Dragon Dave the (Not So) Brave’ is a wonderful, fun- filled book, showing people can re-write their own stories and make positive changes.

Loosely based on the story of George and the Dragon, Dave ends up as dragon soup with a squirrely Prince George and the other villagers triumphant. However, together, they create an alternative ending along with some fun edits which alter how Dave is viewed by readers as well as making the story more entertaining! A surprising little twist at the end shows that Dave is not the only one keen to change things!

Teachers could have great fun using this story to challenge children to edit and improve writing, showing how to develop characters and add detail and encouraging them to add imaginative details. Dave and George are lovely personalities and the gorgeous illustrations add much to the story.

A really positive, laugh-out-loud story to share and enjoy!

Dragon Dave the (Not So) Brave

Alex Latimer, illustrated by Phillip Cullen

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702314858

One Cat, Two Cats

Bright and beautiful, ‘One Cat, Two Cats’ is quite simply brilliant! Bursting with gentle humour, children will love the simple rhyming text and the feline antics on every page.

The book is wonderfully interactive with lift-the-flaps and pop-ups galore encouraging children to count the cats along the way. Each feline is full of character and every reader- grown-ups included- is sure to have their favourite and track them through the book. Cat Number One is already called Peggotty in our house, named after one of our beloved cats whilst Number 7 is Ebenezer, not because of the colouring or shape, but because of his cheeky expression!

The story might lead to children drawing twenty cats of their own- or making simple finger puppets- giving each a collar bearing a number, which could then be used to help children sequence numbers to 20. The illustrations in the story lend themselves brilliantly to oral story telling, developing descriptive and positional language whilst talking about the pictures. There is so much to explore and enjoy with this book- and not just with little children as it could easily be used to inspire paper engineering projects with older ones!

Robust pages and quality production make this a book which can - and will be!- enjoyed again and again!

One Cat, Two Cats

Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Rob Hodgson

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805136125

Publishing 14th August 2025

You can read my review of ‘The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers’ here and ‘The Plesiosaur’s Neck’ here.

Go Go Dodo!

When Dodo takes a stroll through the gentle jungle, across the friendly swamp and over the soothing sea, he is completely oblivious to all dangers, including the very hungry tiger stalking him every step of the way!

Perfect for a lively story time, ‘Go Go Dodo!’ is one of those joyful stories in which pictures and text combine to create a genuinely funny and satisfying read.

Children will love following Dodo on his walk and calling out all the dangers which Dodo is so blissfully unaware of! Playing with the tradition of pantomime ‘It’s behind you!’ visual jokes, the reader is in on the joke through the whole story and then offered an extra chuckle at the end! The simple, repetitive text will be quickly learned, even by the youngest children, allowing them the fun of joining in. For a really interactive story time, actions could be added along the lines of those used in ‘Bear Hunt’ story telling sessions.

The story could also be retold from the tiger’s point of view as he pursues Dodo on his stroll, perhaps collecting and playing with different verbs and adverbs to describe how the tiger is moving at different points of the story!

Great fun to share again and again!

Go Go Dodo!

Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Fred Blunt

Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838918316

Happy Hills: Mr Big Fluff Rules

The baddest hamster around, Mr Big Fluff, has decided that he is not as happy as he might be so he decides to steal some happy from Happy Hills. Will the Happy Hills gang be able to stop him?

The third ‘Happy Hills’ book, ‘Mr Big Fluff Rules’ continues the bonkers fun and complete chaos of the series perfectly! Sophy Henn’s genius for comedic timing, visual humour and crazy- yet appealing- storylines is well known and seems to get better with every book!

Bold, bright colours burst from every page as this comic strip caper introduces a new baddie- and threat to the happiness of Happy Hills- Mr Big Fluff, a mafia gangster style villain whose dialogue delivery will have adults chortling as well as kids. As might be expected, the Happy crew keep their home safe and help Mr Big Fluff find his own kind of happy along the way.

As usual, there are the additional sub-plots scattered throughout the story and some excellent drawing advice from Sophie at the end. One section shows Sparks finding fame on Spit Spot, a genius story showing the futility of chasing likes from ‘friends’ you don’t even know and constantly trying to up the ante only to be discarded the minute something else becomes ‘popular’!

I would say that this would make an excellent bedtime story- but it is guaranteed to cause lots of laughing and inspire an immediate desire to draw so perhaps it is better suited to other times of the day!

Happy Hills: Mr Big Fluff Rules

Sophy Henn

Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398524668

You can read my review of ‘Happy Hills: Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens’ here.