Tim Warnes's Blog: My Life in Books, page 5

Perdu: A picture book for discussing refugees

Perdu by Richard Jones(Simon & Schuster, 2020)Good to Read for:developing empathydiscussing refugees and the homelesscosy snuggles with your child‘Perdu’ is French for ‘lost’. You probably knew that already. (I point it out because I didn’t!) It’s a nice little fact to share with your child. It’s also the name of the story’s protagonist – a scruffy little mutt searching for a place to call home in Perdu by Richard Jones (Simon & Schuster 2020).

In his publisher’s Q & A, Jones recalls how, as he developed his idea, the media was full of images of people fleeing conflict and persecution. “It was at the same time heartbreaking and inspiring to witness, and the notions of home and place were at the forefront of much of the reporting.” (Sadly, some two years later at the time of writing this, the media is once more filled with displaced people – this time from Ukraine.)

These notions of home and place helped shape Jones’s ideas. Like Paddington, he explains, Perdu “would be a displaced soul, a refugee of sorts, strong and brave.” The School Library Journal praised the resulting picture book as a ‘touching story’ and an ‘excellent way to teach compassion and empathy.’

You may disagree that the plight of refugees is a suitable subject for the young and innocent. But that was Jones’s intention – and it works. Children will pick up snatches and snippets of distressing news from the world around them, however much you may try and protect them. More importantly, they may be sat next to a refugee in the classroom. And that’s when picture books like Perdu – and the theme of searching for safety – come into their own. (Other choice examples of picture books about refugees and the homeless include Mr Toots, Refugee and The Suitcase.) 

On the other hand, Perdu works splendidly as the simple story of a little lost dog in search of a home. Jones’s art is exquisite. Textured and bold, to my eye, it has a warm, retro feel reminiscent of illustrators like Ezra Jack Keats and Charley Harper. Perdu himself has all the charm of a scruffy little mongrel, and much of the story’s emotion is told through the brilliant way Jones captures his body language.

   

He wears an eye-catching red scarf. It’s a helpful device to draw our attention to the dark-coloured dog, particularly in scenes where he’s deliberately shown to look small and vulnerable. (For the same reason, I gave Mole a red striped jumper in DANGEROUS!).

Perdu begins with the pup, head held low, wandering alone in a large, open landscape. He is small and vulnerable, and as the reader turns the page, night sets in.

 

The sky was dark, the wind howled and so did Perdu.

   

He spies a falling leaf which ‘land[s] with a whispery tap on the water.’ It’s the first of several evocative lines that capture the sensation of a particular moment. Here’s another, after Perdu has followed the leaf, carried along by a stream, through the countryside:

 

The ground beneath his paws felt different now.

Tip, Tip, Tip, Tip, Tip, Tip, Tip, Tip

went his claws on the city concrete.

   

The review site, Get Kids Into Books praised Perdu for its ‘wonderfully rich’ language. “There’s a poetry to Richard’s words,” remarks Rachel. “I loved savouring them as I read the book aloud to my son.” This raises an important point: sharing stories with children should also be satisfying for the adult reader (a key factor when selecting my recommendations).

Crowds of people rush past Perdu as he searches the streets for a place to belong. I must find my place, thought Perdu. I must find somewhere.

   

But no one gives the tiny dog a second glance. No one – apart from a girl wearing a large, red bobble hat. On first reading, she’s easy to overlook. With subsequent reads, you see the power of picture books at play. Because there she is, in the background throughout the story, a sub-text of kindness, watching little Perdu.

   

Jones’s writing is evocative, yet it is paired down. He allows space for his illustrations to tell the tale. So Perdu is seen atop a massive statue of a lion, searching for his special place. Reminiscent of the lions at Trafalgar Square, the sculpture is a nod to Jones’ earlier creation, The Snow Lion. 

 

But there was no place for Perdu.

“Get out!” they shouted.

“Go away!”

“Shoo!”

   

Perdu’s body language says it all and tugs at the heartstrings. Scared and lost, he stares longingly through a café window. ‘His tummy rumbled and grumbled. He had to find something to eat.’

   

In his attempt to get at the food, Perdu pulls at a tablecloth, sending plates, bags and chairs flying. Crash, bump, clang! People shout, and Perdu becomes cornered.

 

He cowered and trembled until…

Scared, he growled back.

Scared, he snarled. Scared, he barked.

 

Petite Perdu is no threat. The unfriendly crowd (mentioned in the text but not shown visually – instead, the focus is on Perdu) chases him out of the café. In the kerfuffle, Perdu’s scarf comes loose and falls to the ground.

   

Perdu makes his escape, coming to rest in a park:

 

He made himself a circle of pine cones, pebbles and leaves and curled up tight in the middle, a scared ball of worry.

   

Remember the red bobble-hatted girl? Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted her sitting at a table in the café window. Witnessing the commotion, she follows Perdu to return his scarf.

 

“Is this yours?” she asks softly.

Perdu looked into her kind eyes as she tied his scarf.

And all at once, he knew he was safe.

 

It’s a tender moment that doesn’t need explanation. The illustration of the girl and the dog – shown eye-to-eye in a quiet moment of intimate connection – says it all.

   

As well as serving as a beacon to highlight his position on the page, Perdu’s red scarf has an intentionally more profound significance. Here’s Jones in an interview for the book’s blog tour:

“For [Perdu,] the scarf is a connection to his previous life and it means everything. So when the little girl finds it lying on the road and returns it to him, she is returning to him his sense of self, his status and worth. A small, kind gesture with wonderful consequences.”

– Richard Jones, The Children’s Book Award Blog Tour – Perdu by Richard Jones (Library Lady blog)

And what of the fact that both the girl’s scarf and the dog’s scarf are both bright red?

‘The red scarf [Perdu] wears and the red knitted hat worn by the girl stand out as beacons to connect them throughout most of the book’, notes Just Imagine’s review of the book. Initially, this connection (as with the girl) is easily overlooked. But it adds a subtle layer, and kids will enjoy searching for the little girl in the pictures over subsequent readings.

Kids without a soft spot for animals must be few and far between – so Perdu is a sure-fire hit.

It pulls on the heartstrings for sure, reminding me of a previous recommendation, the wonderful, Let’s Get a Pup! by Bob Graham. Like Pup!, it has a satisfying conclusion. Perdu finds his forever home – curled up alongside his new friend, the little girl, her red bobble hat hanging from a peg on the bedroom wall. 

Safe and warm. 

Home at last.

I’m glad Jones wasn’t tempted to give Perdu a back-story. Sometimes it’s nice to retain a margin of mystery.

This open-fronted aspect of Perdu’s story presents an opportunity for kids to get creative and develop their own ideas. It may seem obvious – but this simple act of storytelling is hugely empowering. How? Because there are no rights or wrongs, however fanciful the child’s own ideas.

It may be ‘just’ a picture book. But Perdu contains a lesson for us all. In response to the question: What do you hope readers will take away from Perdu? its creator replied:

Above all, the story is one of kindness and hope. It would be wonderful if readers were inspired not only by Perdu’s bravery and determination but also by the compassion and patience of his friend, the little girl.

– Author Spotlight: Richard Jones on Perdu , Peachtree Books   Tips for sharing Perdu

The quiet tone of the words and pictures make this an excellent winding-down book for bedtime. Get ready for extra snuggles – particularly from sensitive kids – as they experience empathy for Perdu.

Jones deliberately left Perdu’s origin story to his readers’ imaginations. Chat with your child about where Perdu may have come from. How did he come by his red scarf, and why is it important to him?

Use Perdu to start age-appropriate conversations about the homeless and refugees. Focus on the positive messages of finding a safe refuge and caring strangers. Then feel good about yourself for developing your child’s sense of empathy.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGPerdu by Richard Jones(Simon & Schuster, 2020)Good to Read for:developing empathyconversations around refugees and the homelesscosy snuggles with your child  cick here for perdu activity sheets Copyright © 2020 Richard Jones (Text & Illustrations)From PERDU by Richard Jones(Simon & Schuster)GOOD TO READBest picture books about finding a home

My New Home by Marta Altes

Melrose and Croc by Emma Chichester Clark 

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies & Laura Carlin

Beegu by Alexis Deacon

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Perdu by Richard Jones

Red Ted and the Lost Things by Michael Rosen & Joel Stewart

There is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “Hug your dog and your kid while you read this.”– Susan Rose, GoodReads“An excellent way to teach compassion and empathy.”– The School Library Journal  BUY UK BUY US * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF

RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCESPERDU by Richard Jones (Simon & Schuster, 2020) PERDU (paintedmouse.com) PERDU (justimagine.co.uk) PERDU by Richard Jones (kidsgetintobooks.com)Authors Spotlight: Richard Jones on Perdu (peachtree-online.com) The Children’s Book Award Blog Tour - Perdu by Richard Jones (alibrarylady.blog, 2 March 2022)Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips siGN UP HERE © 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

The perfect book for pre-schoolers starting school

 I LOVE SCHOOL! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2021)Good to Read for:encouraging reluctant school-goersempowering kidsits playfulnessAre your kids excited to go to school? Or are they reluctant homebodies? Either way, I LOVE SCHOOL! written by Tracey Corderoy with illustrations by myself (Little Tiger Press, 2021) will hit the spot.

It’s a great reminder of everything worth looking forward to – such as playing with friends, snack time, and making art. 

The story is another in the series featuring everyone’s favourite rhino, Archie (aka Otto in the US. Confusing, I know.).

   

Archie loved to learn. That’s clear from my illustrations: Archie is shown investigating, measuring and creating. He reads (and is read to) and has fun with exploratory play. In essence, Archie captures most young children’s early learning journey. 

Here’s one of my favourite illustrations from the whole series. Archie’s parents have taken him on a trip to the museum. They’re admiring a T-Rex skeleton with a blue whale suspended from the ceiling.

   

Shades of London’s Natural History Museum? You bet! (Eagle-eyed fans of my work will notice a cameo appearance – bottom right – from Miss Cluck (Boris Starts School et al.)!)

Described on Corderoy’s website as a story of fun, hope, and learning, I LOVE SCHOOL! shows kids how exciting school can be. Archie’s teacher is welcoming and embraces those in her care. Creativity abounds, and life is good! (Interestingly, Corderoy herself was once a primary school teacher.) 

   

Reviews for the Archie books often praise the humour in the illustrations. Storysnug, for example, wrote: …[M]uch of [the story] is told through Warnes’ wonderfully humorous illustrations. True to form, I LOVE SCHOOL! includes such funny details that add to the story’s overall sense of joy.

   

(A quick aside: My illustrations for I LOVE SCHOOL! have been repurposed from other books in the series. I was uncomfortable with the publisher’s decision to do so. However, it’s not an uncommon practice – and the results look great! But the text is 100% original – and once again, Corderoy comes up trumps. It’s simple, fun and joyful.)

Interestingly, Corderoy has an interesting take on the whole ‘Back to School/Starting School’ genre. Rather than being reluctant to attend, Archie can’t wait to go.

He loves learning – and, more importantly, he loves to learn at school.

 

“But when will school start again?” asked Archie.

“Soon,” Mum replied.

“Yay!” cheered Archie.

I LOVE school!

 

In contrast, most other picture books on the theme tell the story of a reluctant (often anxious) child. I hated starting school as a four-year-old and longed to be at home. The whole experience was overwhelming. 

Unfortunately, many children struggle with going to school, and their experience is reflected in most picture books on the theme. For example, Mo Willems playfully articulates how many kids feel in his picture book, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! (Why do I have to go to school? I already know EVERYTHING!…). 

   

Another excellent example (featuring the flawless duo Charlie and Lola): I am TOO absolutely small for school by Lauren Child. In it, Lola cites multiple reasons why she can’t start school and refuses to ever wear a ‘schooliform’. (“I do not like wearing the same as other people.”). In the end, Lola attends – but only so she can look after her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen. (Further good picture book ideas on the theme are listed at the end of this article.)

Such stories hold up a mirror and reflect less positive experiences and realities. Fortunately, their creators do it in such a way that is entertaining and (ultimately) uplifting. Inevitably, kids must wave goodbye to their grown-up (be that mum, dad, grandpa) at the classroom door.

One particular page from I LOVE SCHOOL! makes me smile. It shows Archie and his friends learning a new dance.

   

It’s a fun image that sums up everything great about pre-school and the early years.

‘There’s a definite sense of busyness about Archie, in that way that toddlers have, and I love the pained and confused expressions of his parents’, wrote The Bookbag in their review of MORE! (I can’t help but chuckle when the time for school arrives: ‘Now EVEN Mum and Dad were excited!’)

I worked on the original Archie books over a seven-year period (starting with NO! (2012) and finishing with IT’S CHRISTMAS! (2020)). In each, I drew heavily on my experience as a hands-on father to add believable elements to the stories. Seeing Archie’s outfits reminds me of my boys – as do images of Archie reading books on space, poking about with sticks, bug boxes, and binoculars. I think part of the appeal of the Archie books is their authentic portrayal of family life. They’re packed with details that kids (and their carers) will relate to – and reflect their realities.

Archie has tantrums. 

He sulks. 

Armed with a dogged determination, he’d be an even match for Nanny McPhee!

Even Archie sheds a few tears at the end of the day. But only because he doesn’t want to go home. ‘But that was fine’, goes the story –

 

because…the next day of school was EVEN BETTER!

YIPPEE!

 

If you’re looking for a picture book that will encourage a child starting school (or even pre-school, for that matter), then look no further than I LOVE SCHOOL! Archie’s unbridled enthusiasm is contagious, making for a reassuring story that will win over (or, at the very least, pique the interest of) anxious kids who’d rather stay home. I wish this picture book had been around when my two were in the Early Years of school. It may have spared us some tears…

 Tips for sharing I LOVE SCHOOL!

If your child is excited to return to school, help them create a countdown chart like Archie’s.

If your child is anxious and reluctant to go to school, use the story to reassure them and remind them of the positive experiences.

Encourage emerging readers to join in by having them read the speech bubbles as you tell the story. (The simple, bold font makes the words nice and clear for them.)

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI LOVE SCHOOL! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2021)Good to Read for:encouraging reluctant school-goersempowering kidsits playfulnessCopyright © 2020 Tracey Corderoy (Text) & 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020 Tim Warnes(Illustrations)From I LOVE SCHOOL! by Tracey Corderoy & Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2020)Illustration from I am too absolutely small for school by Lauren Child. Copyright 2003 Lauren ChildIllustration from The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems. Copyright © 2019 Mo WillemsGOOD TO READBest picture books about starting school/pre-school

Starting School by Janet & Alan Ahlberg

Going to School by Stephen Cartwright

I am TOO absolutely small for school by Lauren Child

I LOVE SCHOOL! By Tracey Corderoy & Tim Warnes

Maisy goes to Pre-school by Lucy Cousins

Richard Scarry’s Great Big Schoolhouse by Richard Scarry

Boris Starts School by Carrie Weston & Tim Warnes

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! By Mo Willems

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “Adorable”– Michele, GoodReads“Energetic and colourful”– The BookBag’s review of MORE!

Rated 5 Stars on Amazon buy us * Currently unavailable on UK Bookshop* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESI LOVE SCHOOL! by Tracey Corderoy & Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2020) It’s Christmas! by Tracey Corderoy & Tim Warnes (Catherine Friess, storysnug.com, 15 November 2017) More by Tracey Corderoy and Tim Warnes (thebookbag.co.uk, July 2015) NO! From the Otto the Rhino Series (Kirkus Review, 14 August 2013)Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. Sign up here © 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Developing curious minds with 'The Thingity-Jig'

The Thingity-Jig by Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Kristyna Litten(Peach Tree, 2021)Good to Read for:making you laugh!dramatic reading aloudencouraging creative playMaking up words is fun. We all have go-to ones for things we can’t name or describe (mine are Thingamee-bob and Whats-it). Pooh Bear used Whatever-it-is (and more specific nouns, like Wizzles and Jagulars). The bear in this week’s recommendation is even more descriptive.

There’s something incredibly charming about The Thingity-Jig (Peach Tree, 2021). Written by Kathleen Doherty (a reading specialist with over 30 years experience teaching elementary class), its lead character – a small bear cub – is captivating. He’s springy and bouncy and irrepressible and made me laugh aloud. And as with all bears, he’s ever so curious – a characteristic which propels the story forward.

The Thingity-Jig’s premise is simple enough. One night (‘under the light of a silvery moon’), Bear wanders into town in search of fun. Kristyna Litten has done a grand job with her illustrations. Her colour palette is beautiful – deep nighttime blues and purples that contrast nicely with the warm glow of windows. It’s very atmospheric. Litten depicts Bear’s friends with a familiar cut-away device, fast asleep in their hidden burrows underground (which makes me – and kids – feel like we’re being let in on a secret).

   

But Bear is not sleepy. He wants to play – so he scooches down the tree and heads into town in search of some fun.

In a way, picture books work a bit like movies. The reader can see the environment and details in the scene. They don’t need to be overly explained or described. Litten’s illustrations add plenty of visual extras to the story. Take, for example, the vignettes of Bear rummaging through the trash.

 

Tap. Poke. Sniff.

Bear nosed around until he found…

a Thingity-Jig.

   

We don’t need extraneous words to tell us that Bear plays a tune on a discarded recorder (or that he finds some really stinky stuff). The illustrations do the job.

The double-spread scene showing Bear’s discovery of the Thingity-Jig is terrific. A shaft of light spotlights the manky old sofa, and a series of sequential character drawings show Bear enjoying his discovery.

 

Bingity.

Bing.

Boing!

   

Bear races back to tell his friends about the Thingity-Jig and explains how it ‘will be sit-on-it, hop-on-it, jump-on-it fun.’

The only problem is he needs their help getting it home.

 

“Wait till morning,” grumbled Raccoon.

 

But Bear can’t wait. Instead, he ‘[takes] matters into his own paws.’

Bear is quite the inventor (he gives Heath Robinson and Leonardo a run for their money). His contraptions (required to transport the old sofa home) defy explanation and plausibility. And because of that, they are truly wonderful. (They also have suitably imaginative names ‘which are uniquely fitting and great fun to read aloud’. [Booklist]) 

Bear’s first invention is a Rolly-Rumpity (to wheel the Thingity-Jig home). 

 

It was a draggy thing. A pully thing. A pack-it-up, heap-it-up, load-it-up thing.

 

In other words, ‘just what Bear needed.’ (Before the night is through, Bear incorporates items like an old bedstead, umbrellas, rollerskates, coathanger and a tennis racket into his creations.)

But he hits another snag: ‘Bear found it impossible to lift the Thingity-Jig onto the Rolly-Rumpity.’

He was going to need more help.

 

He dashed home.

“Wake up! Wake up! I need your help. Then we’ll climb and jump.’

 

Dismissed by his friends again, the resourceful Bear invents a second contraption – the Lifty-Uppity.

 

It was a boosty thing. A hoisty thing. A pick-it-up, raise-it-up, jack-it-up thing. 

 

Precisely the thing Bear needs to get the Thingity-Jig home!

 

Yippee-doo! Things were working out!

   

Unfortunately for Bear, the Rolly-Rumpity gets stuck in the mud. So ‘smack. Wallop. Whack.’ Bear thunks and thwacks and builds a much-needed Pushy-Poppity.

 

It was quite the contraption!

Bear used the Pushy-Poppity 

to free the Lifty-Uppity

that raised the Rolly-Rumpity

that wheeled the Thingity-Jig 

all the way home.

 

In parts, the story’s structure resembles The House That Jack Built and its story arc of the traditional tale, The Little Red Hen: Bear keeps asking for help, and his friends keep saying no. So Bear does all the work himself. ‘Bear is unfailingly enthusiastic, creative, and generous,’ notes Kirkus Review. His sense of achievement is palpable as he finally makes it home, just as day breaks. So unlike Little Red Hen, Bear is happy to share the final product with his friends.

   

Standing atop the up-ended sofa, like an explorer at the top of a summit, Bear declares,

 

“This is a Thingity-Jig… You can bounce and hop. And leap and climb. You can even do a flip-flap, springy-ding flop.”

 

Understandably, the Thingity-Jig is a sensation. Much to Bear’s delight, his friends (rejuvenated after their night’s sleep) do all that and more. The problem is that they’re having too much fun – and they don’t want to stop.

Bear’s worked all night long. He’s tired now and huffy. And he desperately wants a go on his Thingity-Jig.

   

“IT’S MY TURN!”

“Okay, okay!” said Raccoon.

“We’ll get off.”

 

Poor exhausted Bear flops down onto the Thingity-Jig’s lap.

 

Bingtity…

Bing…

Boing.

Zzzzz…

   

Hats off to Doherty and Litten. The Thingity-Jig (summarised by Kirkus Reviews as ‘[a] delightful, rollicking, joyous romp’) is inventive and playful. Together, they’ve created a joyful story about problem-solving. Bear’s an adorable little character – determined and generous whose creativity knows no bounds. ‘Children will love to study Bear’s clever inventions and laugh at his silly naming conventions,’ notes The Children’s Book Review. It continues, adding that Bear’s stealthy creeping through the town at night ‘is sure to delight children.’ 

   

Kids will love spotting the many tiny details right through until the final endpaper (where we see just how contagious Bear’s joie de vivre is). They will identify with Bear and his desire to climb and jump on the battered sofa. (Likewise, parents will see their kids reflected in Bear’s bouncy and irrepressible nature.) In other words, The Thingity-Jig captures the essence of the early years (a time for fun exploration) beautifully.

Sharing this story is an excellent opportunity to unleash your child’s inner Bear. And when you do, who knows what they might come up with? 

 Tips for sharing The Thingity-Jig

Get junk modelling! See what gadgets the kids can come up with. As well as sparking curiosity and creativity, it’s also a lesson in upcycling.

This is a fantastic story to read aloud, so pull your Brave Boots on and get ready to play! Give Bear an excitable, playful voice to contrast with his quiet, sleepy friends. Have fun and vary your voice as you read, building to crescendoes as each contraption is revealed.

Take time to sit with your child and explore the detailed illustrations. They’ll get a kick out of spotting incidental details like the mouse bouncing on a coiled spring…

STORIES WORTH SHARINGThe Thingity-Jig by Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

(Peach Tree, 2021)

Good to Read for:making you laugh!dramatic reading aloudencouraging creative playAre you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. Copyright © 2021 Kathleen Doherty (Text) & Kristyna Litten (Illustrations)From THE THINGITY-JIG by Kathleen Doherty & Kristyna Litten(Peach Tree Publishing Company Inc.)GOOD TO READPicture books to encourage creative play

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton

The Big Book Adventure by Emily Ford & Tim Warnes

The Boy With Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis

On Sudden Hill by Linda Sarah & Benji Davies

DANGEROUS! by Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “a read-aloud that will endure.” — School Library Connection

“bouncy and fun”— School Library Journal   BUY US  

Currently unavailable on Bookshop UK

* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THIS LINK #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESThe Thingity-Jig by Kathleen Doherty, illustrated by Kristyna Litten (Peach Tree, 2021)https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kathleen-doherty/the-thingity-jig/https://www.thechildrensbookreview.co...© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

A joyful picture book to nurture your child

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2022)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing love to your childThis week, I’m highlighting my latest picture book: I Love You Forever and a Day, by Amelia Hepworth (Little Tiger Press, 2022). It’s the companion book to I Love You to the Moon and Back and I Love You As Big As the World. And that means BEARS!

One big bear and one little bear set out together for a day of adventure. In every sense, it’s an idyllic portrayal of unconditional love – and I make no apologies for that! (Sometimes tender and warm is just the ticket.) Is that mama with her baby? An older (and stronger) sibling? Perhaps the big bear is a wise old grandparent. It doesn’t matter. In fact, it’s a bonus as it mirrors any relationship between a child and a caring adult. 

   

The story follows those familiar bears throughout the day as they enjoy spending quality time with each other – climbing, singing songs, picking flowers and splashing in the river. The joy of their interactions, notes School Library Journal, is apparent. 

 

With your hand in mine,

We would hop-skip along.

   

‘The youngest readers will enjoy the limited amount of text on each page and rhyming structure of the story,’ continues School Library Journal. Young children will also enjoy the opportunity to expand on the story by describing the events and activities shown in the illustrations. (This empowers them as a storyteller and supports their visual literacy.)

Part of the appeal of the I Love You series is how they demonstrate the importance of being present. They remind parents and carers to be in the moment and enjoy their children (whether splashing in the water, walking hand-in-hand or simply lazing in the sunshine). 

They also encourage adults to savour small moments of joy that young kids have an enviable knack for noticing. 

A passing butterfly.

Newly hatched chicks.

A meadow bursting with flowers.

(Other picture books which do this well include Bear and Wolf and Once Upon a Northern Night.)

These two aspects – being present and mindful – are expressed through the bears’ exuberant enjoyment of life.

Red Reading Hub agrees: ‘The characters’ shared joy shines out from Warnes’ scenes,’ they write. ‘His bears are hugely appealing to young children who will delight in snuggling up close to their mum or dad (or perhaps grandparent) for some pre-bedtime togetherness...’

 

And while the sun sets on our magical day,

I’d gather you up as your sleepy legs sway.

 

Sharing a story – particularly in the quiet of bedtime – offers a precious moment of connection for both adult and child. It’s a win-win. So be thankful for the opportunity, grab a selection of stories worth sharing and enjoy nurturing your child. 

   Tips for sharing I Love You Forever and a Day

The I Love You books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Ask your child to ‘imagine a day just for you.’ What would that look like?

The bears aren’t assigned any gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGI Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press, 2022)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggly storytimesexpressing love to your child

Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? 

Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips.

sign up here! Copyright © 2022 Amelia Hepworth (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND A DAY by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes(Little Tiger Press)GOOD TO READCalm, more gentle picture books (for a snuggly storytime)

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth & Tim Warnes

Owl Babies by Martin Waddel & Patrick Benson

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen & John Schoenherr

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

“adorable”–  School Library Journal


“What a beautiful book to read with your child!”- Nadine, Amazon customer review BUY UK BUY US * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE BOOKSHOP LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCES

I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2022)

I Love You More Than All the Stars / I Love You Forever and a Day (Jill Bennett’s Reviews of Children’s Books, redreadinghub.blog, 12 January 2022)

I Love You Forever and a Day (School Library Journal, slj.com, February 2022)

© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Encouraging independence with Little Crab

Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton(Walker Books, 2019)Good to Read for:encouraging independencereassuring anxious childrenan interactive storytimeThis week’s Story Worth Sharing, Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton (Walker Books, 2019) reminds grown-ups that change can be both exciting and scary for kids. 

Described by the Guardian as a ‘heart-warming ‘you-can-do-anything’ picture book’, Little Crab is about an anxious crab overcoming his fear of the sea. It’s the perfect choice for encouraging your child to be brave, take a deep breath – and try something new (be it a dip in the sea or the first day of school or playgroup). (As an added bonus, use Little Crab (perhaps teamed with Sally and the Limpet) to introduce your child to the wonderful world of rockpools.)

Haughton’s picture books are saturated with colour. In Little Crab, their rockpool home (and the underwater world that awaits) are shown in warm reds, yellows and oranges. (In contrast with the cooler – and more forbidding – blues and purples of the open ocean.)

Kids will adore Haughton’s cute crabs and relish the language as Little Crab, and Very Big Crab, scuttle sideways from the safety of their rockpool to visit the sea: 

 

They go TIC-A-TIC TIC-A-TIC over the rocks…

SPLISH SPLASH SPLISH SPLASH across the pools…

and SQUELCH SQUELCH SQUELCH through the slimy slippery seaweed.

 

(Just look at the crabs’ expressions as they squelch through the seaweed - a grimace that most kids will relate to.)

   

The excited little crab is full of bravado – “I can go ANYWHERE!” – until they reach the edge of the rocky shore and meet the incoming tide.

Little Crab feels anxious about the surging waves that splash against her rock. But Very Big Crab is reassuring:

 

“Don’t worry… It will be ok.”

…

Hold tight!

Here it comes!

   

Young kids like a refrain and will have fun joining in with ‘Hold tight! Here it comes!’ and the ensuing WHOOSH! as each new (and increasingly large) wave splashes over the crabs. Fortunately for the fearful little crab, Very Big Crab is on hand to encourage and reassure her. (“Let’s just go a little bit further…I think you’ll like it.”)

Little Crab wants to go home. But Very Big Crab knows what awaits her beneath the sea and keeps on with the encouragement.

 

“I’m here. Come! Just a few more steps…”

 

Just as Little Crab makes it into the sea, another ENORMOUS wave heads straight for them.

 

“Ready?” asks Very Big Crab.

Little Crab nods.

They take a deep breath.

Here it comes!

 

Haughton is a master of the page turn. On his blog, he explains how the page itself acts like a wave. “On one side of the page is a breaking wave just before impact and on the reverse it has crashed onto the rocks. That way, the action of turning the pages of the book is like waves crashing onto the shore.” It’s simple – and injects an extra element of fun into storytime.

With one last WHOOSH! an ENORMOUS wave engulfs the crabs. But it’s ok - they remember to hold tight to one another as they drift down into the depths, eyes shut tight. Haughton’s characterisation is understated. But the crabs’ yellow eyes and minimal forms express so much.

So was it worth the anxiety and fortitude needed to overcome Little Crab’s fears?

You bet!

   

A whole new world awaits her at the bottom of the sea. Colourful fish and other marine creatures – everyone comes to say hello. 

 

“I LOVE THE SEA!” says Little Crab.

 

Very Big Crab’s gentle (and confident) attitude is charming. She acknowledges Little Crab’s worries. And rather than forcing her tiny companion into the sea, Very Big Crab is gently encouraging (“I think you’ll like it.”). It’s a beautiful reflection of the loving relationship between a child and its caregiver and a reminder of good practice: Give your child time and space to adjust to new/ worrying situations. 

I refer to the crabs as female so that my article reads more easily. Unusually, neither character is assigned a gender. It’s significant as it means any child will see themselves (as well as their caregivers – be that mum, dad, or grandma) reflected in the characters.

Speaking of grandmas – I love Tina Beattie’s GoodReads review of Little Crab. She shares how life imitated art when she took her three-year-old granddaughter paddling in the sea:

[My granddaughter] would let go of my hand and then grab it again, and she kept checking to see if I was still there before saying, ‘Shall we go a bit deeper?’ I could sense she was daring herself but reassured by my hovering presence. Then she looked up at me between splashes and said, “I’m Little Crab and you’re Big Crab.”

–  GoodReads

It’s a heartwarming reminder of picture books’ power and how they can help you support the children in your care.

 Don’t Worry, Little Crab is a warm, reassuring story.

As with Haughton’s other picture books, it begins with a quote – this time from Anaïs Nin: Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Haughton’s simple picture book illustrates Nin’s words perfectly. It would be helpful in any situation where a child feels anxious, offering a fun way to connect with your child while gently reassuring them. Yes – it’s a big old world out there. But sometimes, things aren’t as scary as they first appear.

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. 

There’s a lesson for the Very Big Crabs in there, too. Sometimes, we adults need to be brave. To slowly relinquish control and influence, allowing our kids to follow their dreams and make their own mistakes. Only then will your little one, like Little Crab, feel empowered to go anywhere.

 Tips for sharing Don’t Worry, Little Crab

Encourage your child to trace the dotted line with a finger as the crabs TIC-A-TIC TIC-A-TIC across the rocks.

Chris Haughton’s tip: Get children to hold their breath (and hold on tight!) when the big waves come. After the page turn, check to ensure no one was swept away! (This would work especially well in a group setting. Your child could hold on to you (or their cuddly toys) for one-on-one storytimes.)

Ask your child if they ever feel worried like Little Crab. Sharing picture books creates a quiet space (and a priceless opportunity) for you both to stop and be present.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGDon’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton(Walker Books, 2019)Good to Read for:encouraging independencereassuring anxious childrenan interactive storytimeCopyright © 2019 Chris Haughton (Text & Illustrations)From DON’T WORRY, LITTLE CRAB by Chris HaughtonReproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJGOOD TO READFor encouraging independence (and being brave)

My New Home by Marta Altes

The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright & Jim Field

A Little Bit Worried by Ciara Gavin & Tim Warnes

The Snow Lion by Jim Helmore & Richard Jones

How To Be a Lion by Ed Vere

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “Will resonate for children and caregivers alike.”– Kirkus Reviews
“[My son] LOVED the WHOOSH of the waves. We acted that out as we read.”– Goodreads buy uk Buy US * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESDon’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton (Walker Books, 2019) Don’t Worry Little Crab , (reviewed by Tina Beattie, goodreads.com, 2 July 2022) The making of ‘Don’t Worry, Little Crab’ (Chrishaughton.com, 31 July 2019)Instagram post from @chrishaughton (instagram.com, 31 July 2019)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.

Let's hear it for Mr Big!

Mr Big by Ed Vere(Puffin Books, 2008)Good to Read for:teaching kids to look beyond appearancedeveloping your child’s empathylearning that friends come in all shapes and sizesI’m a big fan of Ed Vere’s work – and I’m rather partial to jazz. So this week’s story worth sharing – Mr Big (Puffin Books, 2008) – really hits the spot!

It’s not just me that thinks so – back in 2009, Booktrust gave away 750,000 copies of Mr Big to reception-aged children in the UK. A snappy story with bright, kid-friendly illustrations that draw young readers in. (Mr Big was also presented as a series of concerts, ‘Mr Big plays Jazz’ – a mix of live drawing, storytelling and live jazz. I’d love to have seen one of them!)

The story begins on the title page – a zoot-suited monkey holding a trumpet introduces Mr Big with appealing speech bubbles:

 

Let me tell you about a friend of mine, he goes by the name of Big… Mr Big.

Now, Mr Big had a small problem. Compared to everyone else, he was extremely…

…big!

   

“Inside, he’s very nice, but nobody sees that,” says Vere. They can’t see beyond his overall appearance and feel intimidated by his presence.

 

[A]ll everyone saw was someone big and scary.

No one stuck around to find out who he really was. So inside, Mr Big felt very, very small.

 

‘With his trademark bold colour and masterful graphic simplicity, Vere sensitively and humorously tackles the universal and current subject of inclusion,’ reads the publisher’s blurb, ‘reminding the reader that to get to know someone, you need to look beyond their exterior.’

And what an impressive exterior Mr Big has! With bright, wide eyes and immaculately dressed in a sharp suit, bow tie and fedora hat, he towers over the other animals. Vere’s clever compositions further enhance Mr Big’s massive proportions, which are squashed into the page – almost as if the book struggles to contain him.

Poor old Mr Big. Despite his colossal size, he looks so sad and somewhat vulnerable. Cafes and buses – even swimming pools – become empty whenever he appears.

   

[L] et’s just say, everyone needed to be…

…somewhere else.

 

Vere’s wide-eyed supporting cast of wide-eyed (notably smaller) characters look fantastic – and suitably anxious. (Aside from the pig, squashed against the bus window by Mr Big, who looks irritated.) Thanks to Vere’s characterisation, the drawings add some gentle humour to what is a sad story. (I especially love the frog fleeing the swimming pool.)

   

Now here’s the inciting incident that pivots the whole story. It’s a moment that’s illustrated in muted tones that enhance the narrative:

 

One day, Mr Big noticed a piano in a shop window.

It looked all alone.

Just like him.

   

Mr Big buys the piano and carries it home – and up the stairs – on his big, strong back. 

His home is bright and colourful– but inside, he is sad. So what does he do?

 

As Mr Big sat alone at the piano, he thought of all the things that made him sad.

And then he played.

   

The music – an outpouring of a creative soul, represented by musical notes – drifts through the apartment window and off into the evening sky. Much to the delight of his neighbours, who wondered ‘who was playing such beautiful music?’

I love the next spread. Vere pulls right back to give us a bird’s eye view of the neighbourhood. 

 

The word spread, and night after night everyone came from all over town.

   

On a street corner is a movie theatre showing King Kong. It’s a nice touch for parents (and gives added reason for the citizens to be fearful of Mr Big). Apartment windows are lit up in orange and red, silhouetting the inhabitants. Eagle-eyed readers will spot Mr Big (also silhouetted, except for his big eyes and green hat band) high up in his lonely apartment, at his piano. On the street below, a crowd gathers to enjoy the music.

   

And still no one knew who was playing.

It was a big mystery.

 

But inside, Mr Big was still alone.

 

And then, one morning, Mr Big received his first ever letter.

 

Addressed to the Mystery Pianist, it thanks him for the beautiful music and invites him to join ‘a couple of the guys’ at the Blue Note. Please come and join our band!

The following spread is such a turnaround and a joyful image! Mr Big accepts the invitation and takes to the stage:

 

All night long the joint was jumping and nobody wanted to leave!

At last, everyone could see the real Mr Big.

 

Now it’s Mr Big’s chance to shine!

   

Colourful speech bubbles pepper the page with hip jazz phrases (for example, Groovy man! And Yeah Baby Jazz!) that I remember my youngest loved. Indeed, the whole jazzy vibe gives the book a powerful identity. And guess what? Mr Big gives the band the boost they need to hit the big time. Now ‘everyone wants to meet them, [and] Mr Big has a new problem.’

 

He doesn’t get much time to be alone…

and that’s just the way he likes it!

 

I love a happy ending –and it doesn’t get much better than this. After all those achingly sad images of Mr Big, it’s an absolute pleasure to see him looking so happy, enjoying the company – and the big time. The final page shows him driving off in a pink Cadillac with his band mates, pursued by autograph hunters shouting, “Thank you, Mr Big! We love you!”

Mr Big is so well-designed. Vere’s illustrations – peppered with kid-friendly speech bubbles – complement his pared-down text. The typography is also clever - text size varies to emphasise different words, which helps both children and adults intonate the story as they read it aloud. (For example, ‘big’ and ‘scary’ are in larger type size, whereas the word ‘small’ is in, well, a very small size.)

Vere’s core message – that being big (or in some way different) is not scary – is delivered with a light touch, notes The Book Bag: ‘The person who looks different has the same feelings as everyone else. Inside we are all the same.’ It’s an important lesson for kids to learn and a theme covered in a few of my own books (including DANGEROUS! and Boris Starts School). Meaning Mr Big – as with many of my recommendations – is a great way to teach your child empathy.

What is empathy? ‘The ability to understand and experience the feelings of others, and to respond in helpful ways.’

I like to think of empathy as a muscle. The more it’s used, the stronger it becomes – leading to greater respect for oneself and others. What results from sharing quality picture books like Mr Big with your child? Emotionally and mentally healthy children. How lovely that we get to have fun along the way.

   Tips for sharing Mr Big

Enhance the jazzy atmosphere by reading it with some piano-based jazz playing in the background. (Oscar Peterson’s Stormy Weather or Summertime are good places to start!)

Use the book to spark conversation with your child: What makes them – or their best friend – unique?

Everyone can feel left out at times. Teachers: Use Mr Big during circle time to discuss how that feels and how kids can be more inclusive.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGMr Big by Ed Vere(Puffin Books, 2008)Good to Read for:teaching kids to look beyond appearancedeveloping your child’s empathylearning that friends come in all shapes and sizesCopyright © 2008 Ed Vere (Text & Illustrations)From MR BIG by Ed VereGOOD TO READPicture books showing how friends come in all shapes and sizes

Only You Can Be You! by Sally and Nathan Clarkson & Tim Warnes

How To Be a Lion by Ed Vere

Mabel and Me: Best of Friends by Mark Sperring and Sarah Warburton

DANGEROUS! by Tim Warnes

Boris Starts School by Carrie Weston and Tim Warnes

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “The ‘go-to’ book during storytime.”– Beffy Parkin, GoodReads“Perfect – a delight to read aloud.” The BookBag BUY UK Currently unavailable on US Bookshop.org* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF

RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Mr Big by Ed Vere (thebookbag.co.uk, July 2008) 7 Books That Inspire Empathy in Children (worldreader.org)Ed Vere (edvere.com)Introducing author/illustrator Ed Vere (CLPE, youtube.com, 4 April 2017) Ed Vere - How to draw Mr Big (Ed Vere, youtube.com, 2 April 2020)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

Celebrate National Marine Week with 'Sally and the Limpet'

Sally and the Limpet by Simon James(Walker Books, 1991)Good to Read for:its ecological messageencouraging curiosityNational Marine WeekWith National Marine Week (UK) and the summer holidays coming up, it feels like an appropriate time to recommend Sally and the Limpet by Simon James (Walker Books, 1991). Described by Books for Keeps as ‘a delightful tale with a strong ecological message,’ it’s a great introduction to the gentle art of rock pooling – and the innocuous-looking limpet (a type of sea snail).

I’ve always loved beachcombing and rock pooling. Having kids was a great excuse to do more! My sketchbooks have drawings and scribbles from a memorable holiday at Sennen Cove, Cornwall. One day, Noah (not quite three years old at the time) came running across the sand. “Look, Dadda, look! I found a sea snake!”

   

An old piece of kelp root, stiff from the sun’s rays, stuck out from the bucket as if Noah was some kind of snake charmer. They spent a happy afternoon together! 

During those precious early years, Sally and the Limpet was a family favourite with my boys and shared multiple times. For me, it hits the spot in so many ways – not least for its gentle, ecological message (which seems to characterise many of James’s picture books). In this case: Respect wildlife and leave creatures where they belong.

James’s writing style is chatty and engaging, which is perfect for reading aloud. He does away with any preamble and launches straight into the story:

 

Not long ago, on a Sunday, Sally was down on the beach exploring, when she found a brightly coloured, bigger than usual limpet shell.

 

I still love beachcombing and rock pooling and often find myself heading home with a shell in my pocket. Sally takes a shine to the beautiful limpet and wants to take it home. But that particular little mollusc is still alive.

 

As [Sally] pulled, the limpet made a little squelching noise and held on to the rock.

 

Sally tugs and pulls at the prize limpet ‘until, suddenly, Sally slipped and fell – with the limpet stuck to her finger.’

Unable to pull the limpet off her finger, Sally runs to Dad for help.

He looks big and strong, but the limpet (made of stronger stuff) ‘made a little squelching noise and held on even tighter.’

 

So that afternoon, Sally went home in the car with a limpet stuck to her finger.

   

James’ humorous illustrations need no explanation as the limpet becomes Sally’s sole focus. Attached to the end of her forefinger, she stares at it intently as she heads home, the limpet held aloft like a dog with its head out of the window. At bedtime, there it is - resting on the pillow next to the teddy.

Her family attempts to remove the limpet – Dad with a chisel and mallet, her brother with tempting treats (lettuce and cucumber). No luck. The limpet stays stuck.

At school the following day, Sally (and the reader) learn from her teacher, Mr Wobblyman, ‘that limpets live for twenty years and stay all their lives on the same rock.’

Uh-oh.

Sally’s mother takes her to the hospital to have it removed. The illustration of the waiting room is lovely – Sally sits quietly with feet crossed, contemplating the limpet atop her finger.  

   

If a limpet really could stick to someone’s finger, how might it be removed? ‘[The doctor] tried chemicals, injections, potions and pinchers.’

Nothing works!

   

Understandably, Sally becomes overwhelmed and freaks out. 

 

She kicked over the doctor’s chair and ran.

She ran through the endless corridors. She just wanted to be on her own.

 

The grown-ups in Sally’s life are unable to help. Instead, it’s Sally herself who holds the key to the solution.

Sally runs – out of the hospital, through the town and all the way to the beach. ‘She ran through people’s sandcastles. She even ran over a fat man.’ Sally’s on a mission – and nothing’s going to stop her! She jumps into the sea ‘and then just sat in the water.’

   

It’s a quiet moment in a series of dramatic events that seems fitting for a story about a young child and a limpet.

 

The limpet, feeling at home once more, made a little squelching noise and wiggled off her finger.

 

(“I like the way that innocence sometimes can come through with an answer where complicated, convoluted ideas of an adult can’t,” remarks its creator, James.)

The limpet may have wiggled off by itself – but the story doesn’t end there. Sally remembers her teacher’s words: Limpets stay all their lives on the same rock. 

 

Very carefully, she lifted the limpet by the top of its shell. She carried it back across the beach, past the fat man she had walked on, and gently, so gently, she put the limpet back on the very same rock where she had found it…

Sally and the Limpet is one of many excellent picture books to share during National Marine Week. (See my other recommendations below.)

The problem with many non-fiction titles about marine life is that they can overwhelm young readers with information. That’s what’s so special about Sally and the Limpet: its simplicity, as highlighted by GoodReads reviewer Judy:

 

“A lot of books overwhelm the young reader with too much info. I particularly like that this story focuses on a limpet. I suspect that every child will remember something about limpets after reading this story, and will probably look for [them] when visiting the ocean.

– Judy,  GoodReads   

James focuses on one simple - but fascinating - rock pool inhabitant and weaves a story that educates and entertains. No wonder this story has stood the test of time. (It’s been in print for thirty years now – about a decade longer than the life of your average limpet, according to Mr Woblyman.) It teaches kids an important lesson in a fun and accessible way: A limpet’s home is by the sea.

Extrapolated out: Things are often best left where you found them.

(Especially stinky old bits of seaweed – even if you’ve convinced yourself it’s your tame sea snake.)

   Tips for sharing Sally and the Limpet:

Sally’s limpet makes ‘a little squelching noise.’ Pause as you read and have fun recreating the noise yourselves.

Be inspired by Mr Wobblyman, the nature teacher and help your child find a few simple facts about something wild.

If you’re lucky enough to be near a beach this summer, use the story to introduce your child to rock pooling. Go on a mini beast safari – just remember:

Keep animals out of the sun.

Put them back where you find them!

STORIES WORTH SHARINGSally and the Limpet by Simon James(Walker Books, 1991)Good to Read for:its ecological messageconnecting kids with natureNational Marine WeekCopyright © 1991 Simon James (Text & Illustrations)From SALLY AND THE LIMPET by Simon JamesReproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJSketches © 2002 Tim WarnesGOOD TO READ

Picture books for National Marine Week

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies & Jane Chapman

Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies & James Croft

Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

Tip Tap Went the Crab by Tim Hopgood

National Marine Week (UK) – The Wildlife Trusts’ nationwide celebration of all things marine – runs from the 23rd of July to the 7th of August 2022BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “A delightful tale with a strong ecological message.” – Books for Keeps

“Engaging [and] amusing.”– Publishers Weekly BUY UK Currently unavailable on US Bookshop.org* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THIS LINK #AD/AFF

RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Sally and the Limpet by Simon James (Walker Books, 1991)About Simon James illustrator and Children’s Books Author - Baby Brains (Simon James Books, youtube.com, 23 August 2011) Simon James Books (simonjamesbooks.com) Sally and the Limpet (Judy’s Review, goodreads.com, 25 November 2016) National Marine Week (wildlifetrusts.org)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.

Home is where the heart is: Mister Toots

Mister Toots by Emma Chichester Clark(HarperCollins, 2022)Good to Read for:warm fuzziesdeveloping empathyconversations around refugeesQuality picture books are more than just well-crafted, engaging stories. They work on multiple levels, depending on the child and the conversations you allow them to spark. 

Mister Toots by Emma Chichester Clark (HarperCollins, 2022) is no exception. As with last week's recommendation (Red lorry, Yellow Lorry), readers are invited into a world inhabited entirely by dogs. That is, until '[o]ne wild [and] stormy day', when a stranger arrives in town on the doorstep of a friendly mummy dog named Bella.

Being a kind mummy, Bella invites the small, human-like creature in for shelter and sustenance. 'Terribly thirsty' and 'dreadfully hungry too', he gratefully accepts Bella's hospitality.

 

"Do you feel better now?" asked Bella.

The little creature just stared up at her.

"You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?" said Bella.

 

Despite the language barrier, Bella's children (Tulip and Tadpole) are delighted with the small visitor.

 

"Oh! Mummy!" cried Tadpole. "What is he? Can we keep him?"

 

What is he, indeed?

   

They name the creature Mister Toots. (“Because toot toot was the first thing he said to us.”) Wearing a long, elfish cap, Mister Toots is hard to define exactly – which was a deliberate ploy of Chichester Clark's. Here she is in an interview with the podcast In the Reading Corner, explaining how she initially imagined Mr Toots as a miniature man:

 

“He looked a little bit like a banker, like the father of the children in Mary Poppins... I liked the idea of having a little man in a doggy world. But everyone thought it was too peculiar.”

– Emma Chichester Clark – Mister Toots (In The Reading Corner Podcast) 

Instead, Chichester Clark settled on an ambiguous character that feels part alien, part gnome. But above all, Mister Toots has a child-like vulnerability critical to Chichester Clark's idea. 

At first, Mister Toots finds it hard to settle and looks wistfully out of the window at the sky. It’s as if he’s looking for someone or something,” said Tulip.

 

Tulip and Tadpole did everything they could to distract him and cheer the little creature up…

and after a while…

he began to join in.

 

One image, in particular, stood out for me. A full-page illustration vignetted in a soft-edged oval, it's a moment of intimacy, acceptance and love. Bella (the mummy) sits on a chair with Mister Toots snuggled on her lap. With her eyes closed, she has a look of bliss. Behind her, light streams through a window, and her two children gather around her feet, smiling tenderly at Mister Toots.

Chichester Clarke wanted it to feel like a Madonna and Child – and she succeeded. Beneath the pastel coloured image reads a single line:

 

They loved him with all their hearts.

   

In fact, everybody – neighbours included – loved Mister Toots.

 

But one day a terrible thing happened…

 

While walking in the park, Mister Toots runs off into a stand of trees. The family runs after him and finds Mister Toots pointing at a basket hanging from the trees.

 

"Mine!" said Mister Toots.

   

Together, they pull. CRASH! The basket comes free. Attached to it by ropes, a giant balloon catches the wind and begins to fly away. Quick as a flick, Mister Toots jumps inside and is 'whooshed away in the wind.'

   

Mister Toots calls out, "Goodbye! Thank you!" and is 'soon far out of sight.'

It's a sudden departure – and the children are distraught.

 

"Oh, my darlings!" said Bella.

"I think our little Toots may be going back to where he came from."

 

Chichester Clark describes this section of the story as a period of grief and mourning. It lasts for two spreads…

   

…Until:

 

Just then, there was a knock at the door…

… and there was Mister Toots!

He grabbed hold of Tadpole's paws.

"He wants us to follow him!"…

   

As Mister Toots runs through the town, Bella and her kids are joined by others.

 

Soon, the whole town was following Mister Toots.

Then, suddenly, everyone stopped.

They could hardly believe their eyes.

 

Hundreds of balloons float in the sky, each with a basket containing a little creature like Mister Toots. The doggy townsfolk (rather than feeling invaded) are thrilled by the visitors:

   

They were all given a warm welcome.

 

Mister Toots is an inspiring story of friendship. First one, then many strangers are welcomed with open arms. Now pan out a little and view it in light of the conflict in Ukraine. 

Without making too much of a jump, Mister Toots and his fellow-creatures are easily viewed as refugees. Indeed, Chichester Clark herself likened Mister Toots to a refugee "who needs help, needs [a] home, needs food, needs – everything." That was her original idea – and why she depicted the little creatures as child-like and vulnerable. 

Mister Toots feels like it was written precisely for this moment. But like my book, A Little Bit Worried (published at the start of the pandemic in 2020), it's purely coincidental that it fits the moment so well. In their review of the book, the Times wrote:

 

Little did Emma Chichester Clark know when she wrote this story about a child arriving on a doorstep…that it would be published in the week that a war in Europe would leave more than one million Ukrainians homeless.

 We can try and protect kids from bad news.

But they will inevitably pick up information from other kids, older siblings and concerned parents talking amongst themselves. And let's not forget – many kids will meet Ukrainian refugees firsthand as they attempt to start new lives in host countries. 

'Avoiding the topic [of the Ukrainian crisis] can make children feel scared, says Ane Lemche, a psychologist and child counsellor with Save the Children.' [BBC News] Instead, Prof Vivian Hill (the British Psychological Society) suggests talking with worried children and highlighting the measures Ukrainians are taking to protect themselves, including "moving to other countries where it's safer." The critical thing is to reassure children. And Mister Toots (with its refugee element) is the perfect tool for parents and teachers to help explain an uncomfortable reality in an age-appropriate and accessible way.

Many children won't read any deeper meaning into the story of Mister Toots. "They might just be feeling that this is wonderful because this is how I want to feel within my family," muses Nicky Gamble in her interview with Chichester Clark.

One thing is certain. The gentle and inspiring tale of Mister Toots will leave everyone with a warm, fuzzy feeling – confirming the old adage that home is where the heart is.

   Tips for sharing Mister Toots

With soft, pastel illustrations and young language, this story lends itself to quiet storytimes – so perfect for a bedtime read.

Use the untold back-story of Mister Toots and his friends to spark some creative thinking. Ask our children where you think the creatures have come from and why they need a new home.

If your child worries about the Ukrainian crisis (or has refugee classmates), use the story to start age-appropriate conversations. (Mister Toots is perfect for focusing on the positive message of finding safety and being looked after.)

STORIES WORTH SHARINGMister Toots by Emma Chichester Clark(HarperCollins, 2022)Good to Read for:warm fuzziesdeveloping empathyconversations around refugeesCopyright © 2022 Emma Chichester Clark (Text & Illustrations)From MISTER TOOTS by Emma Chichester ClarkGOOD TO READFor conversations about migrants & refugees

The Day War Came by Nicola Davies and Rebecca Cobb

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin

Beegu by Alexis Deacon

The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Refuge by Ann Booth & Sam Usher

BUY THE BOOKPowered by Bookshop.orgSupporting independent bookshops  "A timely tale of kindness to strangers."– The Times“I shared this…with four classes of children; they were all equally entranced.”– Parenting Without Tears buy uk Currently unavailable on US Bookshop.org* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THIS LINK #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESMister Toots by Emma Chichester Clark (HarperCollins, 2022) Interview: Emma Chichester Clark – Mister Toots (In The Reading Corner Podcast. 19 March, 2022) Ukraine conflict: How to help yourself, your kids, and others (Lauren Potts, bbc.co.uk, 1 March 2022)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.

Empowering girls with ‘Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry’

Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Jez Tuya(Andersen Press, 2021)Good to Read for:vehicle fansdeveloping storytelling skillsbreaking down gender stereotypesRed Lorry, Yellow Lorry is a simple, colourful picture book that young kids will love (and not just those with a passion for vehicles). Because it has a twist – the many, varied vehicles (from pick-up trucks to taxis, forklifts to front loaders) are all driven by dogs!

“I try to write funny, read-aloud books that parents will enjoy as much as children,” says writer Michelle Robinson. “After all, if you have to share the same stories umpteen times, you may as well enjoy them.” [GoodReads]

The story begins on the title page as two pairs of truck drivers arrive at the depot for work. A bespectacled pug with a clipboard waves the hounds off as they head out on the highway.

 

Red lorry, yellow lorry.

Red lorry, yellow lorry.

 

Building on this tongue-twister, Robinson’s rhyme gives a straightforward account of events. For example, the yellow lorry (a dump truck) ’s first mission is to drop off its delivery of boulders and refill it with a new load of shingle:

 

Empty lorry, load lorry.

Straight back on the road, lorry.

   

Hmmm. I wonder where it’s going?…

Meanwhile, the red lorry (a mobile crane) drives into the mountains to clear the road of a fallen tree brought down by heavy snow:

 

Lift, lorry. Shift, lorry.

Shove away the drift, lorry.

   

Robinson’s ‘minimal [but] rhythmic text generates pace, making this an ideal story to read aloud’ notes Booktrust. But it’s Jez Tuya’s illustrations that really bring the story alive. His depiction of the canine world is packed with details and humour – providing plenty for young readers to spot. For example, in the street scene near the story’s start, traffic is shown building up behind the bin lorry. Overhead, a helicopter flies past billboards advertising Pupsicles and Poochi watches. And observant readers will note a large sign announcing the soon-to-be-opened ‘Fun Bark’, which the drivers of the yellow lorry (plus the upper deck passengers on the bus) point excitedly at. 

   

These elements combine to ‘create a wonderful visual narrative to enrich the minimal text,’ notes Booktrust. One spread, in particular, stands out for its series of ridiculous mishaps:

A steam roller squishes some paint cans (after that leaving a painted rainbow in its wake).

A dumper empties its load onto a jeep.

Two workmen get caught in a flood of cement.

   

‘Young readers will get a kick out of the doggie hijinks,’ notes a librarian for Somerset County, NJ, before adding: ‘Expect repeated readings of this one.’ It’s all good fun – and brings to mind Richard Scarry’s Busytown.

‘Scarry’s world was busy, crazy and in perpetual motion,’ wrote Elizabeth Grice in a Daily Telegraph article celebrating Scarry. ‘Things usually went wrong, but there was nothing threatening or malevolent about it and Busy Town was a community, full of friendly busybodies who could sort out the mess.’

As a kid, I loved Scarry’s books. And I enjoyed sharing them with my own children and nephews. With each reading, you spot something new. (Scarry took this to devious heights in Cars and Trucks and Things That Go with the introduction of Goldbug – a tiny bug hidden on every page.) 

   

On this aspect, Walter Retan and Ole Risom write in their biography, The Busy, Busy World of Richard Scarry:

‘[C]hildren realized that there were all kinds of … things that the text never mentioned. … And adults learned that it was important to “read” the pictures as well as the words.’

(As mentioned in previous articles, this is a fun way to support your child’s literacy skills.) 

Scarry’s Busytown came under fire for perpetuating gender stereotypes and tired tropes (rectified in modern reprints). So it’s fitting to ask: How does Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry do regarding gender representation? Are there any lady truck drivers in Robinson and Tuya’s Doggyverse?

You’ll be glad to know that the answer is yes! The drivers of the yellow lorry are female dogs. (Somehow, it seems wrong to refer to them as bitches.) How do I know? Because they have long eyelashes (whereas the drivers of the red lorry do not). Is that a sexist trope? Quite possibly. But I have no idea how else Tuya could have done it. Other long-lashed female characters are depicted in traditionally male roles elsewhere in the book (including the recovery vehicle, ‘Jane’s Towing’). It’s a job well done.

   

By reading the pictures in Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry, the reason for all the bustling activity becomes clear: the construction of the ‘Fun Bark’. Which also explains the wide load of an ENORMOUS bone (hoisted into pride of place above the entrance by the red lorry’s crane).

There’s just time for a quick outing to the new theme park before the story comes full circle. As darkness falls, the red and yellow lorries arrive back at the depot in time for one last pun:

 

Engines off…

Beep tight!

   

With cheery waves, the dogs head home in their cars. No wonder they look so happy. They’ve done a good day’s work – and taught some impressionable pre-schoolers about gender equality.

Tips for sharing Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry

Sing along to the story with the free QR code download.

Encourage your kid to draw some lorries by copying Tuya’s vehicles. (Many are in profile which will make this easier.)

Read the book using the pictures – without the help of the text – to tell the story. Aside from being a good bonding activity, this will:

Develop your child’s observational skills.

Support visual literacy skills.

Empower your child as a storyteller.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGRed Lorry, Yellow Lorry by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Jez Tuya(Andersen Press, 2021)Good to Read for:vehicle fans!developing storytelling skillsbreaking down gender stereotypesCopyright © 2021 Michelle Robinson (Text) & Jez Tuya (Illustrations)From RED LORRY, YELLOW LORRY by Michelle Robinson & Jez Tuya(Andersen Press)GOOD TO READ

Picture books for Vehicle Lovers

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson

Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman

I Am the Subway by Kim Hyo-Eun (translated by Deborah Smith)

Maisy’s Bus by Lucy Cousins

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “An entertaining book with enduring appeal.”-Booktrust“A delight for the youngest of truck aficionados.” – Kirkus Review buy uk buy us * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFRELATED ARTICLESSOURCESRed Lorry, Yellow Lorry by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Jez Tuya (Andersen Press, 2021)Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry (HarperCollins 1974)Busy Days on one man’s Animal Farm by Elizabeth Grice (The Daily Telegraph, 5 May 1994)The Busy, Busy World of Richard Scarry by Walter Retan / Ole Risom (Harry N. Abrams 1997) For Kids and Their Grown-Ups: '“Red Truck Yellow Truck” by Michelle Robinson; illustrated Jez Tuya (SCLSNJ.org)Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry (booktrust.org) Michelle Robinson (goodreads.com)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE

‘Perfectly observed toddler drama’ – it’s Archie

 NOW! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2016)Good to Read for:its sense of fun!supporting visual literacypositive male role models
The fast-approaching school summer holiday and news coverage of UK rail strikes and flight delays got me thinking about Archie Rhino.

Archie (a.k.a. Otto in the US) first appeared in the 2013 picture book NO! (written by Tracey Corderoy). Its success led to five more books featuring the irrepressible Archie, including this week’s recommendation, NOW! – in which the Rhino family go on holiday – and Archie must learn to be patient.

Growing up isn’t always easy for kids or their parents. The Archie series highlights these little micro-dramas by focussing on a single word that toddlers (and their parents) will relate to: NO! Why? MORE! NOW! 

On some pages, the refrain is the only word featured (in colourful speech bubbles) – leaving the pictures to tell the story. 

   

This device enhances kids’ reading experience in a few simple ways. Here’s how:

‘Reading’ the information in the picture helps develop their visual literacy. In other words, they glean information through visual clues rather than words alone – an essential life skill. (And an opportunity to tell their own story based on what they see.)

Join in with the short, repeated refrain is fun (e.g. NOW!) and empowers even the youngest readers.

The same short refrain is easy to sound out, which supports phonics skills.

‘Cheeky but charming,’ wrote Mumsnet, ‘Archie will win the hearts of all readers.’ And it’s true! Kids relate to the protagonist, Archie, while parents empathise with his long-suffering parents! The series has been fun to illustrate over the years, and I think that joy shines through.

 

Each day was full of exciting things.

And when did Archie want them..?

NOW!

   

The Archie series will always be special to me because of Daddy Rhino. A hands-on parent, he plays a significant role in Archie’s day-to-day care throughout the series. It was an idea I developed in the first book, NO!, since it reflected my family dynamic (and my role in my kids’ lives). In NOW!, this plays out with Daddy Rhino helping the over-excited Archie be patient by making a count-down chart for their holiday. That’s not all –

   

They played aeroplanes too…

and made a jumbo jet model.

It’s just like the one we’ll be flying in, Archie!

   

My portrayal of a hands-on father is noteworthy. Nowadays, many dads are actively involved in child care (at the time, we were few and far between). So kids need to see this reflected in the books they read. Perhaps more significantly, Daddy Rhino breaks down gender tropes and presents an alternative male role model for young boys.

Back to the story.

Through a combination of practice, the count-down chart and distraction, Archie appears to have learnt the skill of patience:

 

At the airport, the queue was ENORMOUS. But Archie was very, very patient.

Good boy!

 

Creating the supporting cast of characters (many of which are unnamed extras) was one of the things I enjoyed most about these stories. Look closely, and you’ll pick up a few story threads to pull on - the officious elephant and party of business bunnies in sharp suits. A back-packing lion. And, of course - a penguin pilot and air hostess!

   

In their review of NO! (Archie book #1), Kirkus wrote:

Illustrator Warnes’ animal cast delights the eye and lifts the heart. His skill in depicting expressions is extraordinary. 

Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly described its cast as ‘expressive’ and ‘sympathetically rendered’. (The frazzled-looking rabbit with a crying kid standing in the check-in queue – not to mention good old Daddy Rhino – illustrates this well.)

The Bookseller described NO! as a ‘perfectly observed toddler drama’, and the subsequent titles followed in the same vein. As with Bob Graham’s stories, they portray chaotic family life. So if we go back just a few pages from the airport, we’ll see the Rhino household in bedlam…

   

“Wait!” cried Archie.

“We can’t go NOW!”

“I’ve lost Tiger!!”

 

They search everywhere for Archie’s beloved stuffed toy, with Daddy ultimately declaring, We must go NOW!! (It turns out Tiger was in the back of the car all along…) It’s moments like this that inject some gentle humour and messy reality into their cosy picture book world. 

   

At last, they fastened their seat belts.

And – zoooom! – up went the plane.

“Was it worth the wait then, Archie?” asked DAd.

But all Archie could say now was…

WOW!

   

‘Corderoy’s cute, cuddly and comical cautionary tale is the ideal way to talk about the importance of patience with your impatient toddlers’, wrote the Lancashire Evening Post. That may be stretching a point. But like any quality picture book, it will be a welcome distraction if you get delayed with the kids this summer. So arm yourselves – and like Daddy Rhino, be prepared for anything!

Tips for sharing NOW!

The repeated refrain – NOW! – is often shown in coloured speech balloons. It’s easy to spell out phonetically - so use this as a launch pad for other, more tricky words.

Those speech bubbles act as prompts for your child to join in. It’s fun, and they’ll feel empowered and encouraged as a reader.

Explore the illustrations and encourage your child to expand on the scenarios. (For example, when Archie demands a story from Daddy Rhino – who is he on the phone to? What important information is he writing down?) The joy of this is that there are no right or wrong scenarios.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGNOW! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2016)Good to Read for:its sense of fun!supporting visual literacypositive male role modelsCopyright © 2016 Tracey Corderoy (Text) & Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From NOW! by Tracey Corderoy & Tim WarnesGOOD TO READPicture books about patience

NOW! by Tracey Corderoy & Tim Warnes

Shh! We have a Plan by Chris Haughton

Waiting is not Easy (An Elephant & Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen & John Schoenherr

BUY THE BOOK

Powered by Bookshop.org

Supporting independent bookshops

 “Perfectly observed toddler drama … starring sweet rhino Archie.”
- The Bookseller

“A lovely story; one which will resonate with many parents.”
- Parents in Touch buy uk buy us * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF
RELATED ARTICLESSOURCESNOW! by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2016) NO! From the Otto the Rhino Series (Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept 2013) NO! (Publishersweekly.com)© 2022 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.