Reviewed by Kirsten, Isaac (3) and Hazel (3)
I chose this book because my little darlings have a habit of announcing loudly, in public, that I have a big bottom. So a story where a bear's big bottom saves the day was bound to be a hit, and it is! This is a charming book, with such excellent rhyming and skilful storytelling that it really caught their imagination and my daughter could recite it word for word after a few readings. It's a joy to read with them because they join in, shouting out "bear's big bottom" every time and noticing detail in the drawings. We recommend this book from the bottom of our ... bottoms! Photograph: PR
reviewed by Jennifer, Minnie (3) and Bebe (2)
I will not have a bad word said against the great Juila Donaldson! NOT one! So my husband's opinion that this is too sparkly and the rocking horse deserves to be used as firewood for not knowing what he wants is going a bit too far!! It's lovely and yes sparkly... Sugarlump dreams of many a thing which the unicorn makes come true; there could be a sad outcome when the rocking horse realises that the grass isn't always greener but then it turns out it totally is!! It all comes out good in the end. Typical Julia rhyme. Oh I long to spend the day rhyming, the girls loved it and the big one wants a pony now. So job well done there. Photograph: PR
reviewed by Teri and Mya (3)
As a parent and reader there is nothing I do not like about this book. The story is heart warming and just delicious! The beautiful illustrations are lovely to look at and the story about a lonely yeti who learns to make some friends is fantastic. I loved it from start to finish. The story held Mya's attention all the way through. There was plenty to look at and the story was easy to follow. She was spellbound as we read it for the first time. Mya liked the bird "because she was so pretty and nice" and liked "everything" about the story. We will definitely be reading this one again and again. Photograph: PR
reviewed by Jenny, Dexter (4) and Beatrix (1)
We all LOVE this book – it is beautifully written, very simplistic in style but just wonderful (particularly for a couple of children who also enjoy taking their clothes off and running a bit wild...) There is just as much storytelling in the pictures as in the written part which really appeals to both Dexter and Beatrix. Mr Tiger is a great protagonist and his ‘journey’ is both interesting and poignant. We would all highly recommend this – at the moment it is chosen from the pile every day! Photograph: PR
reviewed by Emma, Rosie (4), Samuel (2) and Charlotte (6 weeks)
The story centres on a flamingo at Paignton Zoo who hasn't got the hang of standing on one leg. He is ousted by the other flamingoes for being muddy and clumsy but with the help of Frederica (see what they did there) he learns to stand on one leg, marries Frederica then asks to be head flamingo. All together: "ahhhh" ... A great story of perseverance and not letting bullies get their way. A little longer than your average book at bedtime, it's still worth reading it all. Gorgeous illustrations and an educational few pages at the back about Paignton Zoo. Factual. Brilliant. Would definitely recommend this. The children love this book and is now a firm favourite of the family. So from the whole fam an excellent 5 out of 5. A great book. Photograph: PR
reviewed by Damyanti and Bryn (6) and Freya (2)
Bryn declared "this is a brilliant book because it's so funny". With all those sharks' teeth on display, Freya found the story both scary and exciting, but her eagerness to find out what happened to Dulcie eventually outweighed any fears. Balancing Dulcie's perilous situation with a lot of humour, this is a perfect book to entertain them both. It's a great book to read aloud with fabulously fun turns of phrase and plenty of drama at each turn of the page, but I'll need to work hard on my 'shark' voices before they reach the standard of my well-practised Goldilocks bear voices! Bath times, however, might become a little more tricky, now we never know what we might find in the bathtub. Photograph: PR
reviewed by Teri and Mya (3)
We both thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Charlie Crow hasn't seen snow before and when he does see it for the first time he panics and goes to find his friends, Bear and Swallow, but neither of them are anywhere to be found. He finds a squirrel who is just as confused and between them they set off to find Bear and Swallow who will surely know the answer to what is going on. What a fabulous book. Not only does it show the change of season from Autumn to Winter beautifully, it is touching and funny. Mya liked "the squirrel best because I liked her". The illustrations are delightful and Mya loved the snowmen at the end. Brilliant read! Photograph: PR
reviewed by Jennifer, Minnie (2) and Bebe (1)
I think this might be my new favourite book in the world! Reading the same book over and over is a challenge; that's what happens with toddlers, they pick a favourite, and regardless of my steering and suggestions it's normally awful! But this is a joy! The drawings are so simple yet beautiful; I want to visit that harbour where everything is alive and pottling along with their various jobs. Pop is a hard working little tugboat who comes up against Toot, who's too big to need any help from a little pip squeak such as Pop! Toot gets his comeuppance but instead of being all high and mighty wee Pop tells him he will help him as that's what friends are for! A lovely message; I just adore this book and haven't tired at all reading it to both of them many many times! Photograph: PR
reviewed by Marzena and Dominic (2)
This is a hilariously funny book about toilet training; when Monkey can't find his potty, he's told by other animals on Noah's Ark why it's so much better to use the toilet. Apparently, toilets are great to sit on if you want to read a book, have a nap or catch up with your favourite TV show... My son was toilet-trained a while ago but I can see that it would be very useful for a younger child who's just started toilet-training (or the potty-toilet transition to be precise). It's very funny and the ideas concerning what else (than the obvious, of course!) we could do while sitting on the toilet are realistic enough, which naturally makes it even funnier. We always end up laughing whenever we read this book so it's definitely getting a big thumbs up! Photograph: PR
reviewed by Emma, Rosie (4), Samuel (2) and Charlotte (6 weeks)
When this book arrived we were all intrigued. I took it to a doctor's waiting room - the best test - can it keep them still whilst others cough and splutter? The story revolves around four small dinosaurs - Bonehead, Tiny, Fin and Bill - who are warned by their mums about the gigantosaurus. This book is a good length with brilliant illustrations, with the odd page opening up to make the pictures even bigger. The words are nice and clear (great for eldest to spot her reading words) and the cover doubles up as a poster of gigantosaurus and when dinosaurs lived - in the words of my son, "wowee!" A definite family favourite which passed the waiting room test with flying colours. I think my children summarise it succinctly: "the cool book". Need I say more. Photograph: PR
