UNDER-THREES
Oxford's new Groovy Animal ABC comes from the 'bang on the door' team, and uses the bright graphics and jokey style we're familiar with from the other products. The accompanying text is in rhyme, with lots of extra, quirky information surrounding each animal depicted. The book is in large format (24.5 x 24.5cm), making it easy to read and show to groups, priced 4.99.
* Telephone 01865 267201
Also on the alphabet theme is K is for kissing a Cool Kangaroo by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees, from Orchard Books. Due out in June, this colourful, image-packed book uses rhyme and alliteration to emphasise each letter: 'C is for cat who has got all the cream/ d is for dragonfly, daisy and dream'. Itis large enough and light enough to hold up each double-page spread for scrutiny. Priced 4.99.
* Telephone 020 7739 2929
FOUNDATION YEARS
Little Bear finds a Friend by Maurice Jones and Anna Currey provides plenty of repetition through questions and phrases, and builds up to a surprise ending. The bear sets off on a quest for friendship, and meets lots of other animals who, apparently, have no time to join him. The illustrations are soft-toned and gentle, in keeping with the story, making it a good choice to round off a session or deal with friendship issues. Published by Oxford, priced Pounds 4.99.
* Telephone as above
Brown Bread and Honey by the award-winning Australian writer and illustrator, Pamela Allen, is a tale of greed and gluttony, told with eccentric style. The food of the title turns out to be a diet cure for a greedy king, who normally enjoys 'milkshakes and muffins, puddings and pumpkins, chicken and chocolate, pavlova and pikelets', all at one sitting.
So, if brown bread and honey turns out to be the next wonder diet, remember you heard about it here first. Published by Puffin, priced 4.99.
* Telephone 020 7010 3000
That Pesky Rat by Lauren Child was the Gold Winner of the Smarties Book Prize last year, and is now out in paperback from Orchard Books. Lauren Child's style is verging on the avant garde, and keeps you on your toes when you're reading aloud, as chunks of text can be found swinging from light fixtures in the living room or nestling in the oven in the kitchen.
The rat in question is desperate to become a pet, so desperate in fact that he is happy to wear a jumper and answer to the call of 'pretty kittycat'.
All will become clearer when you read the whole tale. Priced 4.99.
* Telephone as above
Ben's Magic Telescope by Brian Patten, and illustrated by Peter and Sian Bailey, blends social realism with fantasy in a successful combination of tower block living and an examination of ordinary things that appear beautiful close-up. The book is a mixture of text and verse from its poet author, and there is an enticing list of 'did you sees?' at the back of the book that children will love to try to spot. Published by Puffin, priced Pounds 5.99.
* Telephone as above
OUT OF SCHOOL
After-School Club is a brand new series, aimed at the eight-plus age group and dealing with key issues that affect most older children. The series is being launched next month with two titles by Helena Pielichaty - Starring Brody and Starring Sammie. Each book will focus on a different member of the After-School Club, which means you may have to start collecting the series. The Brody story introduces a girl from the United States who is a child model and a popular pupil at school, but who has problems at home.
Sammie also has domestic difficulties, because her father has left home and her mother has launched a new man hunt. Sammie turns her attention to raising money for charity but this goes dreadfully wrong. In both stories, the after-school club is the only refuge for the characters and their problems - definitely appropriate for your bookshelves, then. Published by Oxford, priced 4.99 each.
* Telephone as above
