How it Works: Fire Engine

By Molly Littleboy

Illustrated by David Semple

Tiger Tales

September 2024, pp12, £7.99

9781664351288

Reading age: 2-5 years

A lovely robust board book which will delight readers with all things about fire engines. Each double page showcases different aspects of fire engines, with topics themed around the various jobs and uses of fire engines, including Ready Steady Go, Fighting Fires, All in a Day’s Work and Our Heroes.

The information is simple yet informative, broken down into accessible sections with bold text headers for each page. The clear text will support vocabulary acquisition, with longer sentences also to extend understanding for more advanced readers.

Lovely illustrations reinforce understanding with simple, diagram-like labelling highlighting the nouns associated with fire engines.

Peep-through pages with simple cut-out indents allow little hands to grasp, explore and navigate the various shapes of fire engines in a tactile way.

The book expertly keeps the subject light-hearted and fun. Only a small distant fire is shown, and a cat is happily brought to safety.

Dr Roopa’s Body Books: The Super Skeleton

By Dr Roopa Farooki

Illustrated by Viola Wang

Walker Books

August 2024, pp32, £12.99

9781529504521

Reading age: 4+ years

A wonderful and very interesting book packed full of facts all about skeletons! Readers will be fascinated by the amazing details about bones, the different functions they have, what they are made from, what happens when one breaks and how to keep bones strong and healthy. Such information is broken down to help build understanding for readers. The vocabulary is sometimes advanced for this age group, with some relevant academic terms included (calcium, vertebrae and appendages), so readers will need support with the text, especially on as initial reading.

Charming illustrations reinforce the information in a light-hearted manner, with the occasional use of simple, labelled diagrams. Some sensitive and more squeamish readers may find the skeleton illustrations scary as they are more life-like than cartoon in style.

The final pages include useful information about how to look after your bones, including diet, exercise and wearing protective clothing such as helmets when needed.

Meet the Cats

By Kate Peridot

Illustrated by Becca Hall

Welbeck Children’s Books

July 2024, pp48, £14.99

9781804535462

Reading age: 5+ years

Readers are taken on an adventure to discover more about cats from around the world, focusing on the Great Eight. Readers are encouraged to pack their Big Cat Drawing Kit, and follow the entertaining narrative as three characters travel the world in search of each cat to study and draw.

Each cat is introduced with a short narrative and a beautiful double-page illustration, immersing readers in the stunning landscape of their habitats. The following double page shows simple facts about each feline, including their prey, if they roar and how to draw their coats. These sections will facilitate brilliant compare and contrast discussions, and the drawing tips help to reinforce learning and provide interactive opportunities for readers.

The books ends with a list of 30 other species of cat, a world map showing where these animals live, a size chart and top tips for staying safe in big cat territory.

The illustrations are a real highlight, being detail-rich, atmospheric and informative.