Family book reviews – gallery

This month our family reviewers have been exploring the wilds of nature, dodging zombie goldfish, diving into the mysterious world of dreams and finding out what a crocodile's favourite thing is...
  
  


Reader reviews: Croc and Bird
Croc and Bird by Alexis Deacon. Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah (2). Croc and Bird is the sweet story of two very different animals that hatch out their eggs at the same time and make the mistake of being related to each other. The story tells of their fun days together. One day they come upon a lake full of crocodiles and a forest full of birds and realise they are not brothers after all! However, they soon come to realise that they don’t fit in and begin to miss each other. The detailed illustrations are done in nice, subtle colours and the simple text made the story easy for Amatullah to follow. She enjoyed the story and kept asking questions. A lovely story to teach children that although we’re different we can still get along. Photograph: Red Fox Picture Books
Reader reviews: Daddy is My Hero
Daddy is My Hero by Dawn Richards and Jane Massey Reviewed by Gina, Evie (3) and Isobel (1). I always think it's lovely to balance things out a bit - there are a lot of books that focus on the special relationship between mothers and children, so it's nice to see one that praises Daddy's too. It's a simple story, about how brilliantly a Daddy looks after his child, feeding, washing, daily chores etc, but also highlighting the great imaginative adventures they have together. What child wouldn't love a Daddy to join them fighting pirates and dragons, and deep-sea diving? And then, at the end of the day, to frighten away all the scary monsters, ensuring a good night's sleep? I really liked this book, with its simple illustrations and gentle story. A big hit all round. Photograph: Picture Corgi
Reader reviews: It Wasn't Me
It Wasn't Me by Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Daniella and Ebba (2). The thing about The Hueys is that it prompts parental creativity and ad-libbing. Both the get-along moments and arguments are illustrated by shared thought bubbles rather than expressed through words. This idea is a lovely way to spark the imagination of both big and wee ones. The illustrations are so expressive that Ebba had no trouble grasping the narrative and no doubt coming up with her own as she spends more time with the book. The thought bubbles contain scribbly overlapping and confused images and are the characters have wide open mouths and wagging fingers to which Ebba says 'a shame' as the tension as ramps up page after page. With its playful, quirky illustrations The Hueys was a hit with Ebba from the first read. Photograph: HarperCollins Children's Books
Reader reviews: My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish
My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O'Hara Reviewed by Emily and Maisy (6) There are two stories wrapped into one in this book about a goldfish with powers to turn people into zombies via his hypnotic eyes. It’s a classic tale of warring siblings, friendship…oh and cruelty to animals by sadistic older brothers. O’Hara’s book is entertaining with enough laughs to keep young readers interested. I found it a bit repetitive – the references to the ‘evil scientist laugh’ and Mark calling Tom a moron got annoying, but Maisy thoroughly enjoyed it. She especially liked the bits where Frankie came out on top: “I loved the zombie goldfish giving Mark a slap on the cheek”. Mention should also go to Marek Jagucki for some ace illustrations and visual jokes. Photograph: Macmillan Children's Books
Reader reviews: Rastamouse
Rastamouse: Da Missin' Musician by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza Reviewed by Karyn and Hugh (2) No, Mummy. No. No. NO. That was Hugh’s reaction to my Jamaican accent - only two years old and embarrassed by mummy already. But it won’t stop me reading Da Missin’ Musician over and over again. Winning characters, an engaging mystery and great visuals kept Hugh engrossed, as did the big, toddler-friendly flaps and pop-up surprise at the end. I gather there’s been debate about whether Rastamouse’s Afro-Caribbean patois is unsuitable for young kids, but let’s face it: does anyone speak the Queen’s English nowadays? I’m happy for Hugh to encounter a bit of diversity, and he had no trouble picking it up. Great fun to read aloud. Photograph: Campbell Books
Reader reviews: That's not my princess
That's Not my Princess by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells Review by Jennifer, Minnie (2) and Bebe (1) I own 20 "that's not my books" (bought off eBay for a bargain, before my first child was born... No, I've no idea why I bought them either). Anyway, this is another touchy feely book to add to the collection; this time, that's not my princess!! This is just hugely pink! Very very pink and cutesy and glittery and very wrong! Obviously my two loved it! Easy to hold, nice thick board pages, a different texture on each page, the baby loved it and the toddler likes to "read it" out loud as it's an easy to remember book, they all are. It's nice to hear the toddler say, " that's not my princess her face is too fluffy" she meant her scarf was, but it made me laugh. These books are clearly a huge hit with babies and young toddlers, well done Fiona watt I say! Photograph: Usborne
Reader reviews: The Book of Dreams
The Book of Dreams by Shirin Adl Reviewed by Mariana, Hafsa (6) and Fatema (3) My 3 year old absolutely loves this book and spends ages looking at the pictures by herself and retelling the bits she remembers. She doesn't actually understand what a dream is but she just loves this book. The illustrations are really unusual and are a combination of drawings and collages and makes the book really interesting to look at. I think it was a big young for my 6 year old but it did start a discussion about her dreams which were rather fanciful to say the least. I think this will be a firm favourite in our household. Photograph: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Reader reviews: The Haunted House of Buffin Street
The Haunted House of Buffin Street by Francesca Simon, illustrated by Emily Bolam Reviewed by Nicki and Luke (4) This book is about a whole group of animals who live in a house and don't want to move. They hatch a plan to be able to stay. As this is an early reader Luke was able to read some of it and I read the rest. He especially liked the names of the animals which included "Boris" and "Doris". The animal noises in the text were easy for Luke to join in with. At the end of the story there are a set of pictures and Luke was able to answer the questions that went with the picture so had obviously taken it all in. He is keen to read more books in the series which is always a good sign. Photograph: Orion Children's Books
Reader reviews: What is a Crocodile's Favourite Thing?
What is a Crocodile's Favourite Thing? by Ben Hawkes Reviewed by Reba and Amatullah (2) This book came with a warning that ‘reading this book may cause silliness... & in some cases your bottom to fall off’. Thankfully that was not the case in our situation! Amatullah did enjoy this story very much. It fuelled her current obsession with asking about everything and anything like, ‘why do I have to go to sleep?’, ‘who finished the toilet tissue?’ She asked questions about what the animals were getting up to on every page. She loved the ending and laughed out loud. The bright illustrations are great and add to the silliness of this story. Photograph: Jonathan Cape
Reader reviews: Wild
Wild by Emily Hughes Reviewed by Jennifer, Minnie (2) and Bebe (1) This is such a beautiful book, a story of a little girl who grows up wild in the forest, very happily, until one day she is discovered and taken back to the city. It's so simple and the illustrations are just gorgeous! Very 1970s dark greens and browns and a little bit scary! It's very emotive in it's message that you shouldn't mess with nature!! Photograph: Flying Eye Books
 

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