BfK Under 5s/PreSchool/Infant/Nursery continued


soft and attractive with extra details to spot in each double page spread. Using a simple outline drawing to depict Polly’s imaginary friend is very effective. Although not one to choose if seeking diversity and representation this is a very appealing picturebook. SMcG


Oh, Christmas Tree! HHHH


Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, Macmillan Children’s Books, 32pp, 978 1 5098 2750 3, £6-99, pbk


Magic in and festive the air! This warm story stars brilliant


characters and is written in hilarious rhyming text. All along the street windows display decorated Christmas trees, except at number 34. There, a desperate


looking


bare tree is being chased by Belle, Bauble and the Tinsel Snake. Tree is explaining that in no way is he going to stand in the corner in a pot, with a star on his head. Oh no; he wants to spend his days, baking, riding a bike, skating, or sometimes watching TV


for a bit. It takes much ingenuity for the decorations to work out a plan to trick the tree into becoming decorated. The ending should bring lots of smiles to readers, as the pictures tell us just how their plan is achieved. Bright throughout, with a full colour palette and details to absorb on second and subsequent readings. The cover depicts a very smiley tree, set in a hologram of sparkly stars, Belle, Bauble and Tinsel Snake whizzing around him. Eye catching, with a different slant on seasonal stories! GB


Nuts! HHHH


Lou Peacock, ill. Yasmeen Ismail, Nosy Crow, 32pp, 978 1 78800 401 5, £6.99 pbk


This is a wonderfully funny book about two red squirrels and their inability to share the nuts they find, and it will prove to the youngest of children how important it is to learn to be unselfish. The text is minimal ‘my’, ‘your’, ‘no’,


‘their’, ‘whose’ and, of course, ‘nuts’, but the meanings are crystal clear through the marvellous illustrations. The two squirrels refuse to cooperate even when their friends try to convince them that the nuts can be shared – there are plenty for all! No way! It is only when they are sitting, each clutching his/her own nut, that they begin to feel silly and decide to say, ‘Our nuts’. It’s plain sailing from there, and they even manage to share the apples they find too. Brilliantly done, with lots of lovely animals to enjoy. ES


Merrylegs HHHH


Pam Smy David Fickling Books 32pp 9781788450577 £11.99 hdbk


Merrylegs was not the fastest, most beautiful


or the most glamorous.


He was clumpy and dumpy; the safe little horse to help the children learn to ride – and they love him. But Merrylegs wants more and his longing becomes even stronger after he sees the glorious horses on the fairground carousel. Could his wishes come true? Here Pam Smy turns her talents


5 – 8 Infant/Junior Ed’s Choice Kites HHHHH


Simon Mole Ill. Oamul Lu Frances Lincoln 40pp 9781786035561 £11.99 hbk


David has just moved house; new surroundings without the support of familiar people. Perhaps if he can make a kite and join the children on the hill he will find friends. But does he have the right materials? Well, as his grandfather has always told him “Let’s see what we have already got...” This is a beautiful


picture


book. The production values are outstanding, from the cover design across which the kites swoop and swirl, to the text, carefully placed on each spread, interacting with but never detracting from the images presented in a clear uncluttered font. The theme may be familiar, but it does not feel stale as the reader engages with David following his effort to make a kite, hoping it will work – but aware it may not; the design does not look right. The story is told with a poet’s sensitivity to


Angel on the Roof HHHH


Shirley Hughes (author and illustrator), Walker, 64pp, 9781406379648 £12.99 hbk


When an angel lands on the roof of 32 Paradise Street, (attracted by the name), a golden feather floats


words and rhythms – Simon Mole is indeed a poet. There are some lovely images – David’s toy “cars have forgotten how to drive”, he has to” scoop up his sadness” when his home-made kite falls to the ground. These word images play across Oamul Lu’s illustrations which tell the same story but visually using colour and shape and the space created by each spread. Sometimes this takes the image across two pages as the kites fly over the street or w climb the hill with David, sometimes the image is confined to one page reflecting a particular moment or maybe a small vignette, a detail. The colours, bold, textured, bring both these elements, words and pictures, to vivid life. Here is a book to


share


as it touches on change and determination


empathy – bringing both an understanding


and of


what


encouraging it can


feel like to be outside and to be disappointed, but also subtly how, as a group, to respond. It is an enjoyable story told with a richness of language and illustration that combine to make a truly satisfying whole. FH


downwards, past several people


living in the various flats, until it is found by Lewis Brown, who lives in the basement. Lewis has one leg that doesn’t work as well as the other, and doesn’t go out much, but he sees that the feather


is not 22 Books for Keeps No.239 November 2019 from Mr Gantry’s


pigeons and goes up to the roof, slowly, to investigate. Lewis tells the angel his


troubles - how he wishes he could make friends, how Dan Sharples turns up the music on his headphones and doesn’t speak to him, how his Mum keeps badgering him to go out. The angel and Lewis become great friends, though the angel doesn’t ever speak, and Lewis enjoys being up on the roof with him, gazing at the sky and seeing life going on around them. Lewis borrows an old coat belonging to his Dad and puts it on the angel, so that they can go out, and that pleases his Mum. People in the flats start being kinder and more helpful to each other, and Dan actually stops on the stairs and talks to Lewis. Eventually, Lewis asks the angel for a miracle to make him strong, which is not possible, but the angel takes Lewis on a night flight all the way to the sea, a truly memorable night before the angel has to leave. As the book ends, the people are continuing to be nicer and more co-operative with each other, and Lewis and Dan often go swimming together. Lewis, who enjoyed looking out at the world, grows up to be a successful artist, and is said to ‘paint like an angel’. This delightful story is illustrated by


Shirley Hughes in her familiar style, but in navy blue ink, with no other colour, just gentle swirls of gold around the angel, edging his wings and obscuring his face. The simplicity of the drawings is moving and effective. The publisher offers this as a perfect story for Christmas, but there is no mention of Christmas at any point, and its message of kindness that spreads kindness is surely for any time. This book will suit newly confident readers, and is lovely for an adult to read aloud. DB


Jazz Dog HHHH


Marie Voigt, Oxford University Press, 32pp, 978 0 1927 6688 5, £11.99


Dog lives in a divided world of cats and dogs where dogs must play only dog music, cats only cat music. So what about the one dog that, having heard the beautiful cat music drifting through an open window, wants to buck the system, follow his heart and be a player of cat music? First he has to learn how to play


like the Jazz Cats – no easy feat as the felines refuse to help. There’s only one way: he must teach himself. Dog borrows books and instruments and sets about the task until the self taught music feels just right. Then Dog sees a sign outside the


theatre announcing a jazz contest but


participating would mean


jamming with the cats. Dare he do so, especially to a packed theatre of hissing felines and growling canines? The tension is almost overwhelming. After a brief crisis of confidence,


overcome thanks to an encouraging cat, Jazz Dog plays and what follows is almost unbelievable. Great entertainment and thought


provoking too, Marie Voigt’s uplifting story with her splendidly expressive illustrations of musical moments both upbeat and down, demonstrates that being allowed to follow one’s heart is crucial if one is to feel fulfilled. Everyone can try their best to stand up not only for themselves but for others too. A tale of inclusion and togetherness


to share and discuss at home or in school. JB


to the picture book with its very specific demands. The result is a charming and engaging story about dreams, wishes and that sprinkle of magic. As one would expect from this publisher the production values are outstanding – the font is perfectly placed on each page accessible and inviting. This is the frame for Smy’s artwork. Her style with its subtle retro references brings a real solidity to her characters. Merrylegs is a flesh-and- blood horse, while the magic carousel horse is clearly made of wood. The palette is cleverly


limited, strong


aquamarines, luminous creams set against the clear, uncluttered white pages enhancing the strength and density of the images. However, this does not mean that they are static. The horses move across the pages flowing from one spread to another, galloping, flying, following the dream. The storytelling is assured, gently rhythmical, uncluttered, a pleasure to read, the ideal partner for the illustrations. As in the best picture books here the two elements work seamlessly together. The result is a lovely story to share whether as a cosy shared moment or at a Storytime. FH


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