Reviewed by Isha, aged 7, and Priya, aged 4
There are a lots of books about about witches but we liked this one because, in the words of Isha, "Winnie is funny and clumsy". Winnie and her cat Wilbur, are particularly endearing with their misadventures. These were good stories for both girls to enjoy, Priya to listen to them and Isha to read along. They are just the right length for a confident reader to read just before bedtime, or indeed at any time! Isha liked the variety of stories and that she could get through an entire story before bedtime! Our favourite story was "Big Top Winnie" and the girls particularly liked Winnie's Wonderful Show of Beautifulness and her costume. We will definitely be going on more misadventures with Winnie!
Photograph: OUP Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Sam and Ethan, aged 20 months
Ethan had a favourite book that he asked for every night - until Big Book of My World arrived. This is now his first choice, and he can easily spend half an hour paging through it, which, for a toddler, is a very long time! At first, I was impressed by the lively colours and variety of subjects, and curious to see how Ethan would cope with the slightly stylised pictures. But after a day or two of hesitantly pointing to the picture I asked him to show me, he is now confidently searching out all the different objects. We are still at the undifferentiated "truck", "car" stage, and I suspect that as he gets older, these will become more specific. It covers animals, fruit, household items, opposites, colours, the seasons, so will be a fantastic way to build Ethan's vocabulary.
Photograph: Random House Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Tom and Daisy, aged 5
This book captured Daisy's imagination. She found it "scary in a good way", and "at moments terrifying" but at no point did she want to stop reading. She was connected with the main character, describing Sophie as "exciting and brave" and saying "I would quite like to be like her". I liked the focus on relationships with friends and family. However, I didn't feel the 'Bratz'-style illustration did her justice. On the cover she could even be wearing make-up. Daisy took the book into school and her friends also enjoyed it. When I asked if she had any advice for the author she said she would have liked it to be much longer. I suspect this was because the plot resolution is swift and straight-forward and may be too simplistic for the 7+ market.
Photograph: Harper Collins Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Tara and Keely, aged 4
We both found this sweet and cheerful book a delightful read and we loved the illustrations. Whilst reading the book Keeley was constantly pointing and commenting on the beautiful pictures as they are so bright and interesting. The book prompted her to use her imagination and for her to think what would happen next. For example, she showed concern and interest, asking: "Oh no, is the train going to stop?" I like those books that make children think for themselves. She loved the 'stickman' – looking for him on each page – and laughed out loud when he drew himself a hat and wore it!! She also found the monster funny but was relieved when he was safely locked away at the end! After reading the book she wanted to do her own "doodling". A lovely book and an enjoyable read for us both.
Photograph: Random House Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Nicola and Samuel, aged 2
This sweet picture book is about a small girl whose mummy calls her 'Little Mouse' but who really feels as tall as a giraffe and as scary as a lion. Samuel was immediately drawn to the cover, with its brightly coloured parade of animals across the front and back. The inside cover contained more pictures of animals which he enjoyed pointing at. Samuel enjoyed listening to the story and when we read the book for a second time, we realised that there was a mouse on every page which he had fun trying to find. One of Samuel's favourite bits was when the little girl made different animal sounds to show how unlike a mouse she was. Samuel joined in by howling like a wolf! We would definitely read more books by Alison Murray, as the illustrations were so charming and really held Samuel's attention.
Photograph: Hachette Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Rhona and Maya, aged 1
This is a delightful book of poems. There is a real spirit of fun and adventure in Ahlberg's witty poems and Ingman's illustrations. Although Maya is a little young for most of the poems she did really like 'Monster Munch', with two of the monsters each receiving a kiss from her! The double page illustrations that accompany some of the individual lines and, in one case, individual words, are a treat. The poems range from a match report of an 'Elephants v Insects' football match (featuring a centipede star player) to the quite poignant 'The Good Old Dolls', but mainly show the joy of being a child. I loved reading a selection of poems beyond our current repertoire of nursery rhymes and can't wait to share them with her as she gets older.
Photograph: Walker Books Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Angus and Isobel, aged 4
We think crime writer Val McDermid's first children's book is a real winner. Isobel loved the bright cover, featuring a smiling, bespectacled granny swinging from a rope and wielding a cutlass. The story of a granny, who "captured many pirate ships but was always home for tea," successfully mixes the familiar with the fantastical. We think crime writer Val McDermid's first children's book is a real winner. Isobel loved the bright cover, featuring a smiling, bespectacled granny swinging from a rope and wielding a cutlass. The story of a granny, who "captured many pirate ships but was always home for tea," successfully mixes the familiar with the fantastical.
Photograph: Hachette Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah, aged 2
"Uh-oh" said Amatullah when George the dog got up to catastrophic levels of mischief when left home alone. It was funny watching her gasp and cover her mouth in shock horror when George devours a whole cake, chases Cat and digs up soil. Chris Haughton's striking illustrations, with their bright, contrasting colours and bold shapes, make this funny story a delight to read and share. Amtullah identified with the actions of the dog, not all bad as we learnt that George could be good as well. Children (and adults alike) will be left wondering what happens next when George faces another huge temptation on a walk. Will he or won't he dive into the rubbish bin? Amatullah pointed out many objects she recognised and I even caught her trying to take a bite out of the cake George devours.
Photograph: Walker Books Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Lizzie and Lorna, aged 2
The striking use of colour and endearingly fuzzy monster made this an instant favourite. The quirky narrative gently introduces big themes of being different or feeling left out and how none of that matters when you've got someone to love you. In a world of overwhelming cuteness, Monster cuts a lonely figure. He's frequently tucked in a corner or very tiny in the centre of a double page; but it is his expressions that pull the real emotional punches. His drooping shoulders and worried face resulted in Lorna regularly saying, "Aww, he's sad". The pathos, however, is beautifully balanced with a quirky sense of humour and inventive page layouts. As an adult my one disappointment was that Monster found love only with someone who looked exactly like himself. But for Lorna the resolution was perfect.
Photograph: Harper Collins Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Isha, aged 7, and Priya, aged 4
This is charmingly illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (of We're Going on a Bear Hunt) and tells the story of three little boys, enjoying adventures both in the great outdoors and in their imaginations. Priya liked the rhyming bits and especially that Jack and Zak's names rhymed. She also liked joining in with words such as "rreaaaaargh" and talking about the fighting dragons and beasts. Isha also liked the fighting dragons and beasts. Priya especially liked the two-headed monster with lots of arms and legs, but was it a monster? Although Priya did point out that the book didn't have any girls in, she has been inspired to build camps after reading the story! We liked the illustrations, the beasts reminded us of the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are
Photograph: Penguin Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Nicki and Luke, aged 4
Morris has very bad habits like eating hairy green bogies and licking his walls, which are made of dung! He is Fungus the Bogeyman for younger children, especially boys. Luke liked it when he sleeps in the compost and when he grows potatoes in his pants! He has lots of disgusting things on his shelves too that caught Luke's attention, including Armpit Custard. His dad and I have had to read it a few times and now Luke is starting to remember the rhymes, including the fact that he washes his hair in the loo. It is not a long book and the rhymes keep the rhythm when you are reading, while the typeface and illustrations fit the style really well. This book is not for the tickled-stomached but a hit if you like reading about bogies and toenails!
Photograph: Random House Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Damyanti and Bryn, aged 4 Bryn's initial response to this version of the classic fairytale was that it was "not a nice story", as he didn't like the "mean" witch. I had to agree, having forgotten how many cruel incidents there are: parents losing their baby daughter, Rapunzel trapped in the tower, the Prince being blinded and Rapunzel deserted in the wilderness. Bryn felt the high point was when the Prince fell from the tower and "the thorns pierced his eyes and made him blind", as it reminded him of the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice. For me, the high point was the illustrations, which are rich, detailed & sumptuous. The book has some fabulous double page spreads, which Bryn and I enjoyed poring over and spotting animals. Though we enjoyed the book, Bryn hasn't asked for it again. Perhaps he may enjoy it more as he gets older.
Photograph: Random House Photograph: Action images
