Reviewed by Corinne and Millie, aged 5
This very funny picture book will be enjoyed by boys and girls with lots of energy and vivid imaginations. Bridget has always wanted a pet so is delighted when an enormous box arrives. Opening it covers the kitchen with polystyrene snow and discloses a much smaller box. What could it be? Millie really enjoyed this story, especially when Bridget's daddy sees the mess in the kitchen and shouts BRIDGET FIDGET. She also liked the surprising pet that Bridget eventually finds. Photograph: Puffin
Reviewed by Mariana, Hafsa, aged 5, Fatema, aged 2
In this book we follow a little mouse drawing his fears and asking the reader to pen their own fears in the spaces left blank. The book is a real creative must have if your children enjoy art. I struggled with the notion of asking my 5 year old to write her fears for as I didn’t want her little brain to start thinking of things she should fear just so she could write them in the book. The book is very tactile and my 2 year old enjoyed the pictures and opening all the different flaps, the illustrations are amazing and really intricate. I cannot see it being a favourite in our household because it didn’t have many words and the story wasn’t very obvious for my children to follow.
Photograph: Macmillan Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Poppy and JJ, aged 3
This story entertained JJ throughout. However, the story has no real meaning or message, and it is best treated as a sort of nursery rhyme and not delved into or furthered in any way. While traditional nursery rhymes and fairy tales can have somewhat brutal scenarios by today’s standards, there is always an underlying moral. “Not Last Night but the Night Before” does not have any. The book maintained JJ’s interest, with the vivid imagery and the story’s fast pace, and he was intrigued as to what was going to happen next. However, I doubt we will be reading it again. Photograph: Walker
Reviewed by Marzena and Dominic, aged 2
This is a very humorous story about a little girl with crazy wild hair, which becomes the central point for all sorts of creatures and objects who all want to nest in it. There’s only one way to tame this beast: a good haircut. My son and I had a lot of fun reading this book and I truly hope that we’ve made a significant step forward with regard to convincing him that haircuts are really not that bad. And even though the main character is a girl, it didn’t seem to put Dominic off. Photograph: Digital Leaf
Reviewed by Jennifer, Minnie, aged 22 months and Bebe, aged 10 months
This picture book has a lovely rhyming story and you follow the same four children as they discover that grumpy days and sunny days are all part of life. Having a near 2 year old, I can safely say the grumpy days are outweighing the sunny days! The drawings are nice and bright, meaning they are toddler friendly and not too hectic, so it doesn't get too overwhelming for the kids. The illustrator Georgie Birkett is already a favourite of mine as she wrote "Share", which is a phrase I shout a lot in this house. She really does do lovely drawings and can capture toddlers expressions so well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this to my toddler. It's a definite winner. Photograph: Corgi
Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah, aged 2
Amatullah absolutely adored this book from the first moment she laid eyes on it. Teddy is getting ready to go to his Grandma’s house and so is about to pack his suitcase. Each page has four flaps which the child has to lift in order to search for the items Teddy needs to pack. Amatullah really enjoys getting out all the items, naming them and playing with them before she ‘packs’ them back into the suitcase. This is a great novelty lift-the-flap book, perfect for younger children. Photograph: Caterpillar Books
Reviewed by Damyanti and Bryn, aged 4
This is a cautionary tale of the dangers of being too greedy at Christmas time involving a crafty Santa, a 'Gimungus' egg and plenty of mess. I have to confess, I didn't find this a very satisfying read. Bryn however did enjoy it and found it very funny. The story includes 3 of his current favourite topics Christmas, Dinosaur and poo and the bright illustrations add to the fun of the story. A festive treat which I imagine will be read a number of times over the Christmas period, I am however hoping we will also include a few classic stories which contain less poo for my benefit.
Photograph: Red Fox Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Poppy and JJ, aged 3
This book’s illustrations are refreshing and delightful. They fascinated JJ. He asked what every single thing on each page was, so his education has been greatly fortified from that alone! The story is beautifully written, with the subject of death treated with appropriate delicacy. The concept did not register with JJ, which was actually a relief to me. Its subtlety makes the book a complete success, as those still too young to quite understand it can still be enthralled with the vivid imagery, and older children, or those who have dealt with the issue of loss, can appreciate it’s message and find comfort in it, as well as enjoyment. An enjoyable read for both parent and child. Photograph: HarperCollins
Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah, aged 2
This book is like an enormous telephone directory for kids. Amatullah loved it, although she struggled with its weight! This book is a lovely compilation of some of Quentin Blake’s wacky and funny picture books and is a great book for kids to own as it makes them feel grown-up. Amatullah insisted on keeping this book next to my current bed-time novel up on the chest of drawers. There are nearly three hundred pages of vibrant and detailed illustrations to enjoy. Quentin Blake’s style is so unique and special it’s hard not to love. Personally, I will remember Quentin Blake best as the illustrator of Roald Dahl’s books from my own childhood but Amatullah will hopefully remember him as a great storyteller as well. Photograph: Puffin
Reviewed by Poppy and JJ, aged 3
This book is absolutely magnificent. The colours are fantastically vibrant and Wildsmith’s incredible use of detail just blew me away. His style is superb, and enchanting, almost hypnotic, and JJ was mesmerised by each and every page. His simple story telling of the classic Hare and Tortoise, is paced just right, it is clear but not stoic, and captures the essence of the original story. I really cannot recommend this book enough. The enchanting pictures had JJ hooked from page one, and his fascination only waxed as the story progressed. Definitely a new favourite! Photograph: OUP
