FUNNY FRED. by Peta Coplans. (Andersen, 9.99).
It's Fred's first day at school tomorrow and he asks his family what he will need to take. They each suggest something that is occupying them at the time. For example, his brother is reading books about escaping from prison and says Fred will need a spade for school. Fred's woolly-wrapped grand-ma, who obviously feels the cold, suggests he takes a hot water bottle. That night, with all the paraphernalia next to his bed, mum and dad give him all he needs -a school-bag and a set of crayons, which Fred puts to good use on the first day of school.
SUNSHINE AND STORM. written by Elisabeth Jones and illustrated by James Coplestone. (Ragged Bears, 8.99).
Spare text and large bright images on white backgrounds make for a poetic story with a moral about two friends who are opposites. Storm the dog is 'like a shadow on a bright day' when he's running behind Sunshine the cat. But when Sunshine is behind Storm, she is 'like the light behind a cloud'. They fall out but make up again, proving that although there can be difficult times in a friendship, true friends always 'find ways to bring out the best in each other'.
WHO'S THAT?. written by Isobel Gamble and illustrated by Tim Warnes. (Little Tiger Press, 9.99).
Here's a simple half-flap book that will work well at storytime. There are plenty of opportunities for children to join in, as they answer questions posed by the text on every spread. The book follows the progress of a series of animals, starting with Daisy Dog and Snorter Pig. Each time, the next creature (who's hiding behind the flap) is resting in another creature's place, so, for example, Dabble Duck is occupying Snorter Pig's sty, and everyone moves on one place. The illustrations are simple and accessible, and the characters are appealing.
FIREMAN. PIGGYWiGGY. by Christyan and Diane Fox. (Little Tiger Press, Pounds 7.99).
This story follows an 'If I were a...' format, and stars a likeable pig who imagines he is fighting blazing fires and climbing tall ladders to rescue people, or rather, his teddy. One picture shows PiggyWiggy's ladder extended to its fullest, bowing in the middle, as he stretches to the very top of the Tower of Pisa to rescue teddy. The message at the end, that a fireman will come to fill up his paddling pool, at first seems a bit dodgy, and goes against the fire service's message that they should only be called out in an emergency. However, it's Fireman PiggyWiggy who's the fireman here, and he's filling the pool with his own hose-pipe.
JUST AS WELL, REALLY! written by Jillian Harker and illustrated by Julie Nicholson. (Bright Sparks, 2.99).
Here's a story about a bear called Rumpus (he isn't dissimilar to the Country Companions characters) who loves water and mud and paint and everything that's potentially messy. 'Rumpus liked water. He liked the drippiness and droppiness, the splashi-ness and sloppiness of it.' His family are very understanding, though, because they love him so, and there is a repeated phrase that children might like to join in with.
NEXT! by Christopher Inns. (Frances Lincoln, 9.99).
This exuberant book is different and off-the-wall. Its dishevelled Doctor Hopper's glasses are always askew, and the indomitable Nurse Rex Barker, a sturdy dog with the character of Eeyore, remains calm through any emergency. Their first patient at the surgery is One Eye Ted, whose single eye has come off. The kind of surgery they do in Doctor Hopper's clinic involves sorting through buttons in the Special Tin, putting a wheel back on a horse, and gluing Sniffer the dog's nose back on (initially they put it in the wrong place - on his cheek).
THE OKAY BOOK. by Todd Parr. (Walker Books, 3.99).
Though the words sound slightly American (the title was first published in the US), strong graphics, a catchy text, and being small enough for young children to hold themselves will make this book appealing to anyone. All kinds of areas where children may be mocked or made to feel bad are dealt with reassuringly -for example, 'It's okay to live in a small house.' Real problems like wearing teeth-braces are juxtaposed with extraordinary things, such as, 'It's okay to put a fish in your hair'.
