Kids Picks
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read
A very exciting story set in a moonlight farmyard. One famished fox is on the prowl. There is something different to count on each page. The illustrations are bright and bold. Great for reading aloud, fun with numbers and there is a surprise at the end of the story.
This Kate Read’s first picture book. She was inspired by her friend’s chickens, with wonderful names such as Hetty, Gloria, Pesto, Crackers and Tiddles. (don’t you just love the names?)
Reviewed by Michelle Platts.
There’s A Beach In My Pants by Michelle Harrison (Illustrated by David Tazzyman)
One little girl gets so much more than she bargained for after a day at the beach. A wild and wacky story written by Michelle Harrison, with lots and lots of rhyming and excellent illustrations. A lovely, funny and imaginative story to share with your little one.
“We went to the seaside, Mum, Pip and me
To play in the sand dunes and splash in the sea
We’d have SO MUCH fun. I had it all planned
As soon as we got there… I ran for the sand!”
She comes home to find that instead of a little sand in her pants…
THERE’S A WHOLE BEACH! in her house. Seagulls, pirates, mermaids and even an ice-cream van! How will they all cope?
Reviewed by Michelle Platts.
Sandypants!by Raymond McGrath -First book in the Big Little Blue series
This is my new favourite graphic novel! Perfect for younger (and older!) fans of the genre, it stars two penguin friends. Big Blue, Little Blue and a supporting cast of assorted seashore critters deliver life lessons and advice about friendship through utterly delightful illustrations and sweet, funny, thoughtful text.
Each of the three short chapters ends with a ‘Fun Friend Fact’ – (‘Sometimes it feels like you can only have one best friend in the world. But this is not true at all …’)
After several readings, I still can’t decide what I love most about this book – the characterful, vibrant illustrations, the whimsical stories or the pitch-perfect words of advice.
Reviewed by Elspeth Moody.