BfK take


original teams. No, after a whole lot of shenanigans and the determinedly heroic efforts of pretty


everyone in the town – footballers and townsfolk alike - to bring the ball down to the pitch to continue the game, it’s left to the town’s children to save both the match and, the day. This has a longer than usual text for


nearly place


5 – 8 Infant/Junior continued but not between the


before long, there are twelve animals living peaceably together. Sounds of


a picture book; indeed it’s almost an illustrated story although the full page colour illustrations and the smaller ones – some in black and white, others in colour, and the margin musings are truly splendid. The whole thing would make a great film too I think. Almost anyone from around six would enjoy the humour of the story, which is as likely to appeal to adults as children, particularly those with a penchant for soccer. It certainly appealed strongly to me and I’m definitely no soccer fan. JB


How to be a Cowboy HHH


Alice Lickens, Pavilion, 32pp, 978-8-436-5241-0, £9.99 hbk


‘Learn how to walk the walk and talk the talk!’


child fascinated by the life style of a cowboy.


in sympathy with players wishing to be called ‘actors’ whether they are male or female.


the pictures of cowboys show males. Nevertheless the book is an invitation to girls and boys to enjoy learning more about the clothes,


stomping grounds’, the talk and the food of the cowboy community. The hand written script adds to the personal ‘feel’ of the book and the pictures are most attractive and informative. They include a spread of beautifully decorated cowboys boots, pictures of the ranch, some different stetsons, cattle trails and vignettes round a pull-out spread with recipes. Children will enjoy using the stickers to dress the cowboy. This book would make a welcome gift but it also deserves a place in the primary school library as it gives so powerfully the flavour of a region and way of life.


MM Deep in the Woods HHHHH


Christopher Corr, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 32pp, 978-1-8478-0726-7, £11.99 hbk


This stunningly beautiful book is a twist on a Russian traditional


neat windows, a small white house stands deep in the wood. Nobody lives in it until that is along comes a little mouse. Just the place for a home, he decides and sets about making it nice and clean. Soon however, some other woodland animals spot


house and naturally they too want a home therein. Kindly mouse obliges, making them feel welcome


the and


tale, Teremok. With its red front door and nine


folk ‘favourite But I have to say that all This is


where there is a map of Cowboy States in America, it is made clear that ’cowboy’ is ‘the name given to the men and women who herded cattle on ranches across America’.


This is an exciting book for any Interestingly, on the spread


and music attract a brown bear’s attention and he decides that the house would be a good place for him to live too. Indeed he is determined so to do but try as he might, he just cannot squeeze his huge form into the house. And when he tries another tactic, the whole house begins to collapse beneath his bulky body. Alarmed at his destruction of the


other animals’ home, bear sets about rebuilding it, helped naturally by the others and together they make a wonderful new place to live and the tale ends happily for everyone. Let’s


involved in the current refugee crisis can become as open-hearted


hope all the


that little mouse and offer those in desperate need a safe place to begin to rebuild their lives. With his modern-edged,


style, dazzling colour palette, glorious endpapers and retro cover, Christoper Corr has done this story proud. I also loved his The Goggle-Eyed Goats and I look forward to seeing what else he will produce.


JB


Teddy Bear Doctor: Let’s Make & Play


HHHHH


Deanna F. Cook, Story Publishing, 64pp, 928-1-61212-402-5, £7.99 pbk


This large


activity book helps children structure role play round setting up a vet’s clinic. A strong point is that it would have appeal for both girls and boys as most young children are interested in animals. There are four chapters: ‘Open your Vet Practice!’, ‘Welcome to the Waiting Room!’, ‘Right – this way to the Exam Room! and ‘Rest up in the Recovery Room’.


text has an American flavour but this could be a discussion point and the conversational tone connects warmly with the young reader or listener. The clear, numbered lists of instructions which run through the book are a good


kinds of reading and writing. introduction


terminology is introduced and clear guidance is given about how to make pretend medical equipment – for example a stethoscope, thermometer, ophthalmoscope and syringe. ‘Make


some ambitious projects – making cardboard cages, lampshade collars and


Children would need considerable adult help in carrying out the projects in this section and indeed for the activities throughout the book. A lot of useful and interesting


information is included; the pages on ‘diagnosing the problem’ suggest what should be done for ‘scratching and itching’, ‘ear


‘splinter or thorn in paw’. heartbeat infections’


mouth, nose, paws and fur examined. The many photographs of children


24 Books for Keeps No.216 January 2016


being weighed, checked, and


photographs show the procedures a pet having a check-up would go through:


having having


Annotated and even an animal wheelchair. it yourself’ section


The has


The written format, shiny covered folksy their happy dancing


countries as


giving medical care to their soft toy patients greatly add to the appeal of the book. There are also pages of


record sheets to give the ‘surgery’ authenticity. The book would be an inspiring resource for


or early years classroom and some parents and grandparents would also find it of considerable interest. MM


Penguin’s Way 978 1 85124 427 0


Johanna Johnston, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, Bodleian Children’s Books, £10.99 each hbk


The power of the narrative approach in non-fiction is evident in these two titles, in which a lyrical text and stunning illustrations


feasting and playing in the Antarctic waters during the summer months. It then describes how they move inland at the end of the summer, across the ‘lonely lands of snow’ in search of breeding grounds, where they mate and raise their young, the male playing a huge role in incubating and


spring arrives, they return to the sea – once again, to swim, eat and play. Whale’s Way describes the seasonal journey of whales – in particular the humpback – from the polar seas, abundant in plankton, to the Equator in search of warmer waters, and back again in order to resume feeding. Along the way, the story discusses the


mammals – the way they breathe, feed and look after their young – and more besides. These


now as on first publication more than 50 years ago. Since then, the approach to children’s non-fiction has changed


information today presented mainly through


to procedural Correct


passion and look jaded – especially when so much information and visual imagery is available on the Internet. Both Penguin’s Way and Whale’s Way are written with enthusiasm and knowledge. The texts are evocative, weaving poetry and curious facts into an enticing whole. The sentences are peppered with alliteration and similes, and


abound, questions,


curiosity and inviting them to find out more. The illustrations capture to great effect not only the animals’ majesty but also the essence of their environments


watery sun through a minimal palette of blue, white and yellow in Penguin’s Way, and the ocean depths, storms and lashing waves in soft greens, greys and white, in Whale’s Way. AF


Molly Maybe’s Monsters HHHHH


Kristina Stephenson, Simon and Schuster, 978-1-4711-2107-4, £6-99 pbk


–blizzards, ice and stimulating the often can sometimes dramatically, with


small chunks of non-chronological text and captions. Both styles have their merits, but the photographic approach


lack photographic images, books are as appealing characteristics of these giant protecting the penguins swimming,


the wonders of nature. Penguin’s Way begins its story with the adult emperor


capture


Whale’s Way 978 1 85124 428 7 HHHH


the nursery stickers, labels and animal


Created by the author/illustrator of the amazing series of picture books about Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, this hilarious book is one to read and enjoy over and again. Molly Maybe lives in Smallsbury, a sleepy little town where nothing much happens. However, despite being a snoringly, boringly ordinary place, Molly M and her trusty dog, Waggy Burns, set off on an adventure from Molly’s tree house, that being NO ORDINARY tree house. A trap door leads to a magical monster world, Undermunder! Here, Waggy’s magic collar enables him to think and communicate in human language,


heroes scheme to solve a mystery set by the angered Monster Meister of Undermunder. They meet silly old Dappity-Doofer who is in trouble with his neighbouring


for a stolen Mydol Idol has gone missing, and it seems Dappity knows something about its whereabouts. The illustrations entrance


chicks. Once


readers, whilst the fictitious names roll off the tongue and also delight readers. Molly’s idea to capture and return the missing idol is a PERFECT PLAN. The finale is impeccably prepared and eventually delivered, in text and illustration, with humour, and panache. It is soooo unexpected!! GB


Fabulous Pie HHHH


Gareth Edwards, ill. Guy Parker- Rees, Scholastic, 978-1-4071-3146-7, £6-99 pbk


rhetorical, reader’s


rhyme, wickedness of the main character and the vibrantly coloured pictures form and frame a story which will delight young readers. The front cover glows, with text and characters and autumn leaves appearing with sparkling shininess. Our attention is immediately grabbed by the opening lines, Deep in the forest where the trees meet the sky, a very bad bear baked a very big pie. Hidden behind trees and in the river are more characters, all of them waiting to be invited later to join in eating the delicious pie. But bad bear has a wicked plan. He asks each creature in turn to help him make the filling, which they willingly do, mouse bringing blackberries and squirrel cracking hazelnuts, but Bad Bear is not yet satisfied. “Fabulous pie!” he calls down badger’s hole, who happily produces a comb of honey. Otter and daughter are lured from the water, providing a fine, fresh salmon from the river. Each scene is drawn with such attention to detail, echoing the story and adding a subtext. How on earth will the small creatures escape, once Bad Bear has trapped them all in his fabulous pie? Bad Bear brings about his own downfall, ending up in the river, floating downstream, wet and cross, contemplating his selfish tricks. Meanwhile, the illustrations show how each creature enjoys his slice of the fab pie, each drawn in size-appropriate portions. This is a book to savour; a rhyming text to enjoy and share, and pictures to devour and search. GB


This partnership of author/illustrator has surely created a future favourite! Fans of their Never Ask a Dinosaur to Dinner will delight in their new collaboration, where


the bouncy picture-literate


are detailed and young


monsters… and together our two


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