Reviewed by Emma, Daisy (5) and Olive (3)
We have had this book for years and have regularly returned to it, but the pop-up version was a whole different experience. The cleverly designed and reassuringly robust pop-up illustrations really engaged Olive, and added (literally) another dimension to the story for Daisy, making the book good for children of different ages. In their words, 'I like the pictures best, especially with the daddy reaching the little rabbit up in the sky' (Olive) and 'Yeah, the pictures are good, but the words are really sweet' (Daisy). I think they both related to Little Nutbrown Hare who throughout the story struggles to find words to express his love for his father. It is a simple but exceptionally warm tale, and it makes a nice change having a father take centre stage
Photograph: Walker Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Damyanti & Bryn (4)
There was plenty of laughter while reading this modern retelling of the classic fairytale. The story starts with Jack and his mum running a successful burger van, but their fortunes are reversed when a new flyover diverts their customers. As in the traditional tale Jack is entrusted with their 'last few pennies'. With a self-referring nod to the story Jack knows choosing the 'magic baked beans' will lead to adventure. Like all good fairy tales this has a happy ending but with a few twists and turns on the journey down the beanstalk. Bryn was very tickled by the nice giant with a love of cooking although he would have preferred him to be 'eating people and grinding bones to make his bread'. He also liked the illustrations, especially the giant's smart attire
Photograph: Templar Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Corinne and Millie (5)
This book is the latest in a series of books about the works of famous artists, seen from the viewpoint of Katie who can step though the canvases and into the pictures. Visiting a Monet exhibition Katie enters a competition to paint like he did. With some tuition from a character in one painting, she steps from canvas to canvas trying to paint her picture only for every one to come to grief. Millie loved the pictures despite saying that 'they are blurry'. Her favourite picture, and illustration was that of the waterlily pond, but she didn't like it when Katie fell over in the mud, dropping her painting into the pond and making all the colours run Photograph: Red Fox
Reviewed by Uma, Desh (5) and Megh (4)
Tales from India has taken us several evenings of bedtime reading to get through, but they've been evenings filled with magic and wonder. We've travelled from the story of creation and the churning of the ocean, through the stories of all-time favourites such as the elephant-headed Ganesha, the blue-skinned Krishna and the heroic monkey god Hanuman. In the story of Manu we have discovered a lesson about preserving and cherishing our world. The children had lots of little questions about the details: How can you churn an ocean with a snake? How can Parvati create a real baby out of mud? But soon they sat back and started listening not only with their minds, but also with their hearts and imaginations
Photograph: Templar Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah (2)
The Goggle-Eyed Goats is a funny tale of an old farmer in Africa and reads like a tongue twister in places. Old Al Haji Amadu has a whole collection of animals but it is his five goats that are the problem because they eat everything in sight from pumpkins to mats. However, Al Haji's seven children adore the goats but to keep his wives happy he takes the goats to sell at the market. He is surprised to find out his whole family has undertaken the long journey as well in order to stop him. After a change of heart Al Haji returns home with the google-eyed goats but to his surprise he discovers that now he has ... well, you'll just have to read the story to find out!
Photograph: Andersen Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Nicki and Luke (4)
Luke and I really enjoyed this book about a wolf who pretends to be a sheep to get a lamb for his supper. The illustrations are great and the layout varied from page to page. The sheep are drawn as round woolly circles with little black heads. The wolf falls foul of Rambo the Ram and Little Red Riding Hood's grandma in his quest. This is a funny story with great rhymes and unusual language to find in a children's picture book including 'shenanigans', 'skeddadling' and 'derriere'. Luke giggled out loud and this is the sort of book that I would happily read over and over – which I am sure I will end up doing!. Any book which mentions poo will be a hit with my son and I am sure lots of other boys. Highly recommended Photograph: Andersen
Reviewed by Caroline and Grace (3)
The Very Hairy Bear is wondering 'What will I be when I grow up?' and he has a number of cosy bear-like thoughts on the matter before ending the day with a bath and bed. From the simple illustrations and the opening line, I was not expecting much from this book, however Grace enjoyed the story and asked for it to be read again straight away. The language is rhythmical, and soothing, and the colours are warm and inviting, with no harsh lines or scary ideas. This would make a good bedtime book, particularly for smaller children, just don't expect to be entertained along with your child. If you're looking for an unchallenging read before lights out, this book would be perfect
Photograph: Meadowside books Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Tara, Keeley (4) and Summer (1)
Both my daughters, aged 4 and 1 years old, adored this book and it's been read countless times already! On each page there's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 fish/sea creatures, so this gives me an opportunity to count with Summer the number of fish/sea creatures on each page, and this has improved her counting. The thing Summer likes best is the fish puppet in the middle of the book which I put my hand through. It means I can bring the book to life, counting with Summer and tickling her with puppet. It's so cute and funny. The illustrations are beautiful and bright and even reading with my older daughter it has taught her about sea creatures such as angel fish. It's a lovely fun book which we'll read again and again Photograph: Simon and Schuster
Reviewed by Angus and Isobel (4)
'Daddy, I want to go to Katie Morag's house. Is it very far away?' Isobel asks after the second reading of our first Katie Morag adventure. 'It's fairly far away. Near Balamory, in fact,' I say. 'Maybe we'll visit both one day.' 'What! But these are fictional places!' I hear you say. True, but they're also closely based on real places, with the CBeebies show Balamory set on Tobermory, Isle of Mull, and Katie Morag's village on the Isle of Struay matching the topography of Arinagour on the Isle of Coll, where Katie Morag's creator Mairi Hedderwick lives. As in any landscape, there's a lot to see, from folk hanging out washing on the line and artists painting the view to animals grazing and babies crawling, all of which Isobel relished
Photograph: Red Fox Photograph: Action images
Reviewed by Emma and Christopher (4)
What higher praise can we give this book than that it is in the 'read often' pile? Christopher loved the detailed pictures. It is a great book if you are at the stage of wanting to introduce short stories/chapter books as there is more story than your usual picture book but not so much that the fidgeting sets in. Christopher has recently discovered The Wind In The Willows so was happy to find another book with talking animals. The book may well be 30 years old but it is as fun today as it ever was. The Frog Band is an adventure story with lots of excitement and gives you plenty to talk about with your child afterwards, which makes it perfect for the inquisitive child in your house. We will definitely be investing in more of this series
Photograph: Fircone Books Photograph: Action images
