Raven Child and the Snow Witch by Linda Sunderland and Daniel Egneus

If you walked for one hundred nights and one hundred days across the frozen Lonesome Lakes, over the Shimmery Mountains…

…and through the Forest of a Thousand Eyes…

you would come at last to the Snow Garden. Here, safe from the dangers of the icy wilderness, lived little Anya with her mother and father.

Summary From Templar

A haunting, lyrical fairytale, beautifully illustrated by Daniel Egneus.

Anya lives with her mother and father in the shadow of the icy glacier where the Snow Witch reigns. Every spring, Anya's mother journeys to the glacier to pick the blue gentian flowers that grow there. But this time, she does not return. She has been captured by the Snow Witch and imprisoned in the ice. Anya and her father set off with the ravens to rescue her. It's a treacherous journey, and there is no knowing what they will find… Will the strength of Anya's love conquer all?

Raven Child and the Snow Witch is a poignant, powerful story with dramatic and striking artwork.

*****

Review by Liss Norton

Raven Child and the Snow Witch is a picture book for older children - a rare and very welcome thing! I've often wondered why children are denied large, coloured pictures once they reach a certain age, so hooray for Templar for flying in the face of convention!

This slightly scary story is told in poetic, descriptive and mystical language. It's set in the far distant, fairytale world of the Snow Garden and, like all fairytales, it has darkness at its heart. Of course we know that Anya will triumph over the Snow Witch, but that doesn't stop us feeling afraid for her when she sets out to rescue her mother. 

Ravens and wolves add to the strangeness and menace of the story, as if the Snow Witch wasn't threat enough…

Daniel Egneus's abstract illustrations are perfectly matched to the text and add another element of darkness to the story with their whirling snow storms, spiky buildings and shadowy trees. My only criticism relates to the book's front cover. It glitters so invitingly that I was taken aback by the story inside because there's no hint that it will be scary. The back cover's a different matter though, with a creepy white figure who I guess is the Snow Witch herself. 

This is a memorable book and one that deserves to be widely read.

Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

Snow has fallen everywhere

and turned the green woods white.

A little Christmas tree wakes up

and sparkles in the light.

Summary From Big Picture Press

Watch a colourful day unfurl around a little Christmas tree…

****

Review by Liss Norton

Little Christmas Tree is a very sturdy board book with lots of flaps to lift. It's all about nature and shows the countryside surrounding a fir tree in winter and the animals, birds and insects that live there. It's not really a story but the rhyming text describes what happens near the Christmas tree from the start to the end of Christmas day. The lovely illustrations have silver foil details and provide plenty to talk about, and there are several flaps to lift on every spread. Some of them are so well matched to the pictures that I only found them by touch, rather than by sight.

The book is well made, the pictures are charming and there are flaps to lift. What's not to like?!

Now! by Tracy Corderoy and Tim Warnes

Archie found waiting a little bit hard.

He wanted to have all the fun NOW!

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Calling all parents with impatient toddlers who want everything…NOW! Award-winning duo Tracey Corderoy and Tim Warnes are back with another dose of Archie trouble.

Archie is finding waiting a little bit hard. There are SO many fun things to do. The problem is, he just can't wait! Archie wants to do everything…NOW!

This charming picture book, starring the adorably mischievous little rhino Archie, is a must for fans of NO!, WHY? and MORE! With chuckle-worthy writing from Tracey Corderoy and fun illustrations from Tim Warnes, NOW! is the perfect book to open up early discussions of patience with your unruly little ones.

****

Review by Liss Norton

This picture book is perfect for impatient toddlers and their frazzled parents. Who could help but laugh at the things Archie, a little rhino, gets up to when he's too impatient to wait? And who wouldn't feel pangs of sympathy for his long-suffering parents?

The Archie series covers different aspects of toddler behaviour and all the books give a gentle lesson. Here, Archie discovers that doing some things straightaway has unfortunate consequences. But after waiting impatiently to go on holiday, suddenly it's Archie who holds up proceedings as his parents start the hunt for his missing tiger toy.

The book has a short and simple text, but there's plenty to talk about in the pictures. There's plenty to smile about, too, especially for families trying to survive those tricky toddler years!

How to Hide a Lion at School by Helen Stephens

Iris and her lion went everywhere together.

The lion was the town hero, because he once rescued the mayor's best candlesticks from some robbers.

But there was one place where they couldn't go together - and that was school. Iris's teacher, Miss Holland, said lions weren't allowed at school.

The lion didn't want to be apart from Iris, though, so every day he'd sneak after her.

Summary From Scholastic

Lions aren't allowed at school, but Iris's lion doesn't want to be left behind. He even stows away on the school trip to the museum, causing chaos as he hides among the exhibits.

But when the school bus breaks down, it's time for the lion to be a hero…

This third adventure in the bestselling How to Hide a Lion series is full of Helen Stephens' acclaimed warmth and humour, and will delight her many thousands of fans.

Fun and mayhem are wonderfully conveyed through Helen's warm, witty illustrations.

****

Review by Liss Norton

The title of this book is wonderfully silly and so are some of the places the lion hides when he follows Iris's class to the museum. In fact the idea of Iris having a lion is pretty bonkers, but it works! The story's simple but satisfying and the illustrations are a delight. They remind me of Edward Ardizzone illustrations for books I read when I was young, only most of his were black and white line drawings and these are full of colour. 

So what more can I say? A fun story, great illustrations, a crazy title. What are you waiting for? Get out there and buy the book!

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things

Earth is our amazing home. it's covered with lush forests, dry deserts, and big blue oceans (so big that Earth looks blue from space.) Earth is the only planet that we know of where things can live, so it's a very special place! 

Published in September 2016 by Dorling Kindersley

Summary From Dorling Kindersley 

A very important person needs a very important book… and My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things is the perfect answer for the inquisitive little learner in your life. 

For age 4 upwards, this chatty, informative book combines beautiful photography with charming illustrations, and guides curious kids on an enjoyable, educational journey of discovery. Facts and images will feed a child's imagination and quench their thirst for knowledge, while supporting the KS1 National Curriculum. 

With a bound ribbon to keep track of where your child has reached on their journey, the book is split into six sections: My Planet, Places, Animals, People, Me, and Other Very Important Things, covering everything from the continents to the blue whale. Children will learn everything from where animals live, to the way to say 'hello' and 'goodbye' in different countries. 

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things is bursting with all sorts of knowledge - and loads of important things to set young minds alight! 

Review by Liss Norton 

This is an excellent, chunky encyclopaedia for young children. It's packed full of colourful pictures which make every page grab your attention, and the information is given in a bite-sized, simple way with fairly large print and a variety of fonts which add to the appeal of the book. 

There's a clear index at the back of the book and a useful list of contents at the front. There are pages on subjects ranging from clouds to multiplication, super scientists, gemstones and primates. Each item fills one double page spread so if you're looking for a book that gives loads of in depth information, this is probably not the one for you. However, the info it gives is not totally dumbed down, even though the book's aimed at young children: I'm embarrassed to say that there are facts here I didn't actually know! 

If you're thinking of buying an encyclopaedia for your young child, I can definitely recommend this one. It's perfect for dipping in and out of, but be prepared to answer some tricky questions about all sorts of subjects - I can see children developing a thirst for knowledge when they start exploring this book.

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear by Elizabeth Dale and Paula Metcalf

Deep, deep in the woods, with the moon shining bright, 

Some bears snuggled up in their beds for the night. 

There was Mummy Bear, Daddy Bear… 

Grace and then Ben… 

And Baby Bear, too, who lay dreaming, but then… 

As Baby Bear wriggled and stretched out a paw, 

He suddenly woke when he heard a loud… 

roar! 

Summary From Nosy Crow 

This September we’re publishing a wonderful picture book by a brand new author-illustrator pairing: Nothing Can Frighten a Bear, written by Elizabeth Dale and illustrated by Paula Metcalf. This is an absolutely FANTASTIC book: beautifully illustrated, with an incredible rhyming text, and a gentle, reassuring message that’s perfect for young children. 

Snuggled up in bed one moonlight night, Baby Bear is sure he hears a monster outside. Daddy Bear insists there’s nothing scary in the forest and, anyway, nothing can frighten a bear. But as the family of bears set out to make sure, and all vanish one by one, it looks like Daddy Bear might not be as brave as he seems… 

This bedtime story is full of comic surprises and gentle reassurance. After all, the things that go bump in the night are never as scary as you might think! 

****

Review by Liss Norton 

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear is going straight on to my 'Best Books of the Year' list. It's a hilarious story about a bear family going out in the night to investigate a scary roar. Daddy Bear's certain it can't be a monster because monsters don't exist but he starts to have doubts as his family begin to disappear. Of course, there's a happy ending, but I'm not giving it away! 

Elizabeth Dale's rhyming text is perfect - good rhythm and a terrific use of language - and sometimes the last word of each rhyming couplet appears on the next page so the reader has a chance to guess what it is before turning over. I read the book to Theo, aged six, and he loved guessing. (He was right every time.) He and I giggled all the way through the book; it's clearly going to become a favourite - for both of us! 

Paula Metcalf's beautiful illustrations match the text brilliantly. There's lots of detail to talk about in the pictures, but Theo and I didn't stop to chat, we kept reading to the end because we were so eager to find out what would happen. Later he said that his favourite page was the one where the 'monster' appeared because he knew what it was, but silly Daddy Bear didn't. 

I urge you not to miss this book because it's totally fab! And if anyone from Nosy Crow is reading this review, please let's have more from Elizabeth Dale and Paula Metcalf. What a duo!

Poppy Pym and the Double Jinx by Laura Wood

It was late in the evening and I was soaring majestically though the air, whizzing around like an acrobatic bumblebee. Somewhere below I could hear a crowd of people chanting my name as I tumbled into a particularly impressive mid-air pirouette. Madame Pym, ringleader and trapeze-artist extraordinaire, swung back and forth in front of me, her short legs hooked over the trapeze and her arms held out waiting to pull me to safety. Reaching forward, I stretched out as far as I could, ready to grab on to Pym and to hear the humongous roar of applause fill my ears. Instead, I felt my fingertips brush Pym's before they slipped away, leaving me grabbing at mothing but thin air. Then I was falling. Down.

Published by Scholastic in September.

244 pages

Summary From Scholastic

Curses: load of rubbish or for real? Super sleuth Poppy must figure it out when trouble strikes ‘cursed’ play Macbeth… People say Shakespeare’s Macbeth brings bad luck to all who try to stage it. In the case of the Brimwell town production, this seems to be true. An arsonist has struck, burning down the venue. Now the play has been moved to Poppy’s school. But the attacks aren’t over - and the fact that it’s Halloween just makes things creepier. Can Poppy find the culprit and save the play? Circus star. Super sleuth. Mystery buster. Queen of surprises. If Poppy isn’t your best friend yet - why not? 

New from the winner of the Montegrappa Scholastic Prize. The second book about Poppy - sleuth and circus star 

Addictive school story mixed with a Halloween mystery. Great if you love Enid Blyton or Murder Most Unladylike 

*******

Review by Liss Norton

What a great book this is! It's got it all: comedy, spookiness, thrilling adventure, a mystery, a treasure hunt and a cast of wonderful characters. There's even a whole load of guinea pigs thrown in for good measure. And it's beautifully written to boot.

Poppy Pym, who comes from a family of memorable circus performers, is a boarder at Saint Smithen's school. She and her two best friends, Ingrid, who is mad keen on reading, and Kip, who's always first in the queue at mealtimes, set out to discover who burnt down the town hall. Along the way, they investigate the disasters that keep befalling rehearsals of Macbeth and search for long lost treasure. The story hares along at breakneck speed and it's written in short chapters that make it perfect for bedtime reading. Scholastic say it's for children aged 11 and 12, but I know a 9 year old who's going to love it so I'm pretty sure it would also be suitable for book-loving younger children.

Laura Wood's writing style is fun to read. She uses words very precisely and includes lots of original similes that often made me smile. Her characters are well drawn and I especially loved Kip who longs to be taller and who can demolish a whole plate of cakes in about ten seconds flat. There's also an underlying plot line about Poppy's desire to find out about her birth parents. (She was left at the circus when she was a baby.) This creates some poignant moments and I'm keen to read the third book in the series when it's published to see if this issue is resolved. (Come on, Laura Wood, no slacking now! You mustn't keep your fans waiting!)

This book is the second in the series. (How on earth did I miss the first one?) But that didn't detract from my enjoyment of it as it tells a great story in its own right. I can't recommend it highly enough. Don't miss it!

The Fox and the Wild By Clive McFarland

This is Fred.

He was born in the middle of a big city.

Fred finds life in the city hard. It's smoky. It's noisy, and it's very, very fast.

Published by Templar in June 2016

Pages - 40 

Summary From Templar Publishing

Fred is a city fox. The city is a scary place for a fox like Fred. It's noisy, it's smoky and it's often dangerous.

One day Fred sees a flock of birds flying away over the city roofs. "Where do they go?" he wonders. And so he sets off to find the wild. All the other city animals say that there is no such place, but Fred know better or does he?

The Fox and the Wild is a new picture book from Clive McFarland, writer and illustrator of A Bed for Bear (HarperCollins). Illustrated in bold, collage-based graphic style, this is an animal adventure with an environmental message.

****

Review by Liss Norton

This picture book tells the simple story of Fred, an urban fox, who wants to find his way to the countryside. He searches and searches and finally finds himself in a wonderful place of greenery, soft ground and fresh air. Hooray for Fred! Not only that, but there's a brand new foxy friend waiting for him…

The book is illustrated in a bold, modern style and there are lots of things to talk about in the pictures, including the ways in which Fred looks different from his cousins and his new friend. The language is simple, making it perfect for young children. 

For those about to embark on a move from town to countryside, this book is an absolute winner as it paints the city as bad and the 'wild' as good. If you're planning a move in the opposite direction though, I'd advise you to give this book a miss! 

Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner

Augustus the tiger was sad.

He had lost his smile.

So he did a HUGE tigery stretch and set off to find it.

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Augustus the tiger is sad. He has lost his smile. So he does a HUGE tiger stretch and sets off to find it…

As he climbs mountain crests patterned with frost and swims to the bottom of inky blue oceans, Augustus soon realises that his smile would be there whenever he is happy.

He just needs to open his eyes to the beauty of the natural world around him.

Rediscover the magic of Catherine Rayner's illustrations with this stunning 10th anniversary edition of Augustus and His Smile.

Now in a gift edition with a gold foil jacket, this remarkable book approaches sadness with a lightness of touch, celebrating the beauty of the world and the simple happiness it brings us when we open our eyes to it. Augustus and His Smile is a stunning example of how art can be used to start conversations about coping with our emotions from a young age. Catherine's debut picture book was nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Award and won the 2006 Booktrust Early Years Award.

*****

Review by Liss Norton

This picture book tells a simple story about a tiger searching for his lost smile. It uses poetic language and almost abstract illustrations that work together beautifully to make a memorable, prize-winning book for young children on the theme of finding happiness in the natural world.

The book was originally published in 2006 and this special anniversary edition is a hardback with a lovely gold jacket. For every copy sold, a donation will be made to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's Tiger Time campaign, which aims to protect wild tigers.

The book would be a good starting point for discussing emotions, particularly sadness, with young children. If you look carefully, you'll see Augustus's mouth beginning to curl up at the corners as he swims under the sea, prances through a desert and by the time it starts to rain… Well, read it yourself and find out what happens. I'm sure you'll find yourself smiling, too.

Goodnight Tiger by Timothy Knapman and Laura Hughes

It was the middle of the night but Emily couldn't sleep…

because of all the BELLOWING and STOMPING and TRUMPETING and GROWLING!

"The animals must have escaped from the zoo!" she cried.

But there was no one in the street except next door's cat.

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Goodnight Tiger is a funny bedtime story, full of jungle animals and surprises. With vibrant, characterful illustrations by Laura Hughes (Daddy Sandwich), this charming picture book by best-selling author Timothy Knapman (Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates and Dinosaurs in the Supermarket) is sure to delight children at bedtime - and it's great for reinforcing bath and bedtime routines too.

Published in April 2016 by Little Tiger Press

*****

Review by Liss Norton

Goodnight Tiger is the perfect book for bedtime! It tells the magical story of the noisy animals in Emily's wallpaper and how she tries to help them go to sleep. But the jungle's a very different place to Emily's house and having a bedtime bath and a cup of hot chocolate don't work at all. And as for hugging a bear… well, read the book and see what happens!

Laura Hughes's illustrations are bright and colourful and the animals' facial expressions are delightful. There's plenty to talk about in the illustrations, too, though not so much that little ones will still be chattering when it's time to go to sleep. I'd definitely recommend this book - especially for parents frazzled by trying to get reluctant children into bed. Don't miss it!

Petunia Paris's Parrot by Katie Haworth and Jo Williamson

Every year before Petunia Paris's birthday, Petunia's parents asked her what present she would like.

Her fifth birthday was no different. Petunia Paris thought. And thought. And thought.

She already had a swimming pool. That was last year's present.

She already had a city of toys. That was from the year before.

She also had a thousand dresses, her own personal library and a bicycle with its own chauffeur.

Published by Templar Publishing in April 2016

Pages - 32

Summary From Templar Publishing

Petunia Paris has everything she could possibly want, from a swimming pool to a bicycle with its very own chauffeur. When she requests a parrot for her fifth birthday, a parrot is what she gets.

The problem is, Petunia Paris's Parrot does NOT do what Petunia Paris wants it to do…

Petunia Paris's Parrot is a hilarious story with a valuable lesson to be learned, brought to life with charming illustrations from Jo Williamson.

****

Review by Liss Norton

This is an unusual picture book because it's full of long words, many of them beginning with the letter P, which will need to be explained to children. The illustration style is unusual, too. It reminds me of Edward Ardizzone's work, though on many of the pages the only colour is either pink or turquoise, with everything else drawn in grey and white. The parrot is very bright, though, and the last, fold-out page is bursting with colour. Keep an eye out for the long-suffering butler. I particularly liked seeing him dressed as a clown.

This is a satisfying story. Petunia has pretty well everything a girl could wish for - including a swimming pool and her own personal library. Thinking of something she wants for her birthday isn't easy, but she decides on a parrot. Unfortunately it's not the talker she was hoping for. No matter what Petunia does, she can't get the parrot to talk… until she asks him nicely what he wants. The parrot wants to go home to Peru. The story ends happily, of course, though I'm not giving away the ending here!

Although I think the story's suitable for boys and girls, the front cover with its pink stripes and the pink illustrations inside will make it completely unappealing to boys. This is a shame because there's no reason why boys shouldn't enjoy it just as much as girls.

PB Review: Little Why By Jonny Lambert

At the back and in-between the Elders, Little Why walked in line…

…Well almost!

"Keep in line!"

Back in line, Little Why spied Wildebeest.

"Wow!" Little Why gasped. "I need some spiny-spiky special horns like those!"

Published by Tiger Tales in March 2016

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Little Why just CAN'T stay in line. There is so much to see - like Giraffe's long-lofty leggy legs and Wildebeest's spiny-spiky horns. And THEN he spots Crocodile's snippy-snappy teeth…

Look out, Little Why!

****

Review by Liss Norton

Little Why is a lovely book, with intriguing illustrations, exciting vocabulary and a story that's all about being perfect just as you are. Little Why wants to look like the animals he meets on a journey with his elephant herd and nobody will tell him why he can't have horns, long legs or fuzzy fur. He's supposed to stay in line, but everything is so interesting he wanders off and puts himself in danger. It all ends happily, of course, and Little Why finally discovers that he doesn't need to change.

The illustrations are unusual and rather spare, with no backgrounds, but they are charming nonetheless. The adult elephants are so big, we never get to see all of them, just a trunk or four legs, a tail and half a body. The giraffes don't fit on the page either because their legs are so long. But we see all of Little Why and his body language makes it clear how he's feeling - especially when he's sulking!

There's plenty to talk about in this book, and it gives a powerful message about body image in a very few, well-chosen words. Don't miss it!

PB Review: The Very Grumpy Day By Stella J Jones and Alison Edgson

"What a perfect day!" smiled Mouse, looking out at the sunshine.

And goodness, wasn't he right! The birds trilled sweetly and the bees buzzed merrily.

"I'll take one of those cupcakes round to Bear," Mouse thought. "He loves a sweet treat."

Published by Little Tiger in March 2016

Summary From Little Tiger Press

There's a big bad mood spreading through the wood! It starts with Bear, who upsets Mole, who snaps at Hedgehog, who's prickly with Fox. Soon Bear's bad mood has made everyone grumpy! All except for Mouse, whose little act of kindness might be just the thing to make everyone happy again…

The Very Grumpy Day is a warm, funny picture book about friendship and the value of being kind and thoughtful towards others. With humorous illustrations from best-selling illustrator Alison Edgson, this enchanting picture book shows little ones just how much a bad mood can affect others, and how one kindness will always lead to another.

****

Review by Liss Norton

Bear is in a mood and, pretty soon, so is just about everyone else who lives in the wood. But Mouse's act of friendship saves the day - and he doesn't even know it!

This is a story with a strong moral that's perfect for young children - especially young children who find it hard to say sorry. Bear's grumpiness makes him thoughtless and leads to consequences that affect his friends' moods. He goes on being grumpy until the cake Mouse has brought him cheers him up and suddenly he understands the need to apologize to Mole. His apology sparks a whole chain of animal apologies until the very grumpy day turns into a perfect one.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Alison Edgson, whose colourful pictures are always a delight. I especially love the way her animals' faces show so much emotion. 

This is a fun story that teaches the value of apologising when you're in the wrong. I'd say it's a good addition to most children's book shelves.  

NIBBLES The Book Monster By Emma Yarlett

This is a story about a little monster called… NIBBLES! 

Nibbles likes to nibble soap, 

and Nibbles nibbles socks, 

Nibbles chomps on rubber ducks, 

and Nibbles munches clocks, 

Nibbles loves to nibble toes, 

and Nibbles nibbles hooks. 

But Nibbles' favourite thing of all to nibble on is… 

…books! 

Published by Little Tiger Press in April 2016

Summary From Little Tiger Press 

Caution! This book contains a crunching, munching book monster! 

Whatever you do, don't let him out. 

Uh-oh. 

Too late…! 

Nibbles is a very naughty book monster and he's nibbling his way through fairy tales that don't belong to him! Can you catch him and put him back in his book? 

Coming to a bookshelf near you in April, children will love to lift the flaps, peek through the holes, and chase Nibbles through a fantastical world of books in this highly interactive story, exquisitely illustrated by Emma Yarlett. 

Packed with favourite fairy tales (including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears) this clever book provides a unique twist on the genre. 

*****

Review by Liss Norton 

What a fun book! It has flaps to lift and holes to look through as naughty Nibbles, the book monster, escapes from his cage and munches his way into fairy tales. Poor Little Red Riding Hood's less than pleased to be shut out of her own story, and just wait until you see the damage Nibbles does to the three bears' house… 

This book is highly unusual and likely to appeal to older children than those most picture books are aimed at. For a start, you need to know your fairy tales to appreciate the trouble Nibbles is causing and then there are the names of the fairy tales' authors - I'm sure I've seen those letters rearranged elsewhere! 

The book is a hardback and quite pricy at £11.99, but my copy came with a Nibbles soft toy made of corduroy though I'm not sure if it comes free with the book or whether you have to pay extra for it. It seems well made, but I'm not sure I'd buy one separately. I'd definitely buy the book though. It's fab! 

I Love You More and More By Nicky Benson and Jonny Lambert

You are my everything,

I love you high and low.

I love you more than flowers

Love to blossom, bloom and grow.

Summary From Little Tiger Press

As a bear leads his cub on a breath-taking journey through sparkling starlit nights, past misty blue mountains and gushing waterfalls, he shows him just how special and loved he is. I Love You More and More is an enchanting celebration of the unconditional love and special relationship between a parent and child.

With a lyrical rhyming text, stunning illustrations by Jonny Lambert and beautiful silver foil title and trees on the front cover, this is a sumptuous tall-format picture book which would make the perfect gift for the little one in your life this Valentine's Day.

****

Review by Liss Norton

This is a book where the illustrations do the talking. The text is a sweet, simple rhyme spoken by an adult bear to his/her cub but, to be honest, without the pictures it wouldn't be particularly special. Jonny Lambert's lovely illustrations bring the book beautifully to life. 

On every spread, the two bears are travelling together through a natural landscape created with a fairly limited colour palette. They see flowers, trees, other animals, mountains, a waterfall and lots more besides. There's no real story, just a constant affirmation of love for the cub, but there's plenty to talk about in the pictures which I always think is the mark of a good picture book. This is a book you'll come back to again and again and it's perfect for bedtime - reading it made me feel wonderfully relaxed and peaceful. Don't miss it!

TREE Written by Patricia Hegarty & Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

In the forest, all is still,

Gripped by winter's icy chill.

Owl sits watching in his tree…

No one sees as much as he.

Published by Little Tiger Press in 2015

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Explore the beauty of the changing seasons in this timeless tale of new beginnings, with beautiful artwork from the award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup.

With lyrical rhyming text, follow the life cycle of a tree through spring, summer, autumn and winter. Peek through the holes in the tree to find a busy world of nature at work through rain and shine, wind and snow. Each season of the year is brought to life by Britta's beautiful artwork and the clever die-cuts on every page create a stunning layered effect.

****

Review by Liss Norton

This book tells the story of the seasons in rhyme. It has a gentle, lilting quality and is a useful tool in teaching children about nature through the year, though some of the language is a little old fashioned, for example:

Birds flit through the leafy bowers,

The forest is abloom with flowers. 

There are holes cut in the pages which young children will find perfect for little fingers and the illustrations of the changing tree, and the animals, birds and insects that live in and around it, should encourage plenty of chat about leaf colour, the weather and other aspects of nature. 

The illustrations are colourful, which could help if you're teaching your child colour recognition, and there are counting opportunities, too, particularly with the animals and birds. Do look out for the spider's web and mark its progress through the seasons.

This is not a story exactly, but it is a book for nature lovers and one which young children will enjoy.

Old Bear's Bedtime Stories by Jane Hissey

It was nearly Christmas. The toys all knew this because the children were very busy decorating the house. They were too busy to play and they wouldn't let any of the toys help with the decorations.

"You're a bit small to decorate the tree," they said to Little Bear.

"And you can't reach to hang paper chains."

They wouldn't even let Old Bear help to put up the fairy lights. It wasn't much fun at all for the toys.

Summary From Scribblers

Old Bear's Bedtime Stories is a beautifully illustrated, classic, picture book treasury by the much-loved author and illustrator, Jane Hissey. Featuring many of the beloved characters from the Old Bear series and a host of other soft toy friends, the book includes a selection of charming and enchanting adventures - from a winter picnic and surprise party to putting on a play or losing a snowman. The reassuring stories are perfect for bedtime reading.

Jane's illustrated picture books have been loved by children around the world for nearly 30 years. Published in 1986, Old Bear, was instantly acclaimed a new children's classic. Since then, Jane has written and illustrated over 20 picture books, each one taking up to a year to illustrate.

Jane's books feature the soft-toy characters and everyday objects that belong to her or her family. Old Bear himself was given to Jane by her grandmother when she was born. He has travelled the world with Jane; visiting schools, libraries and literary events, becoming increasingly worn and threadbare but still recognisable to millions of Jane's readers.

Ideal for age 3 years and upwards, Old Bear's Bedtime Stories will delight fans of Jane Hissey everywhere.

******

Review by Liss Norton

This is a very beautiful, hardback book. The cover is dark blue with gold lettering and cute pictures of some of the characters who feature in the twenty-one short stories and poems inside. The end papers inside the cover are lovely, too, with lots more colourful characters. The cover price is £16.99, which feels expensive, but it's a substantial book and probably worth the outlay if you're a fan of Jane Hissey's work.

The stories are very sweet and simple, perhaps even a little charmingly old fashioned, and are best suited to children aged between three and five, but there's a lot of writing here and fewer illustrations than I'd anticipated. In most cases there's at least one illustration on each double page spread, but there are a few double spreads which have no pictures and that's a shame as it's the artwork that makes Hissey's books so memorable. While most of the full page illustrations are great, I have to say that I found some of the smaller pictures a bit disappointing - not because of the quality, they're all beautifully drawn, but because they simply show a toy sitting or standing which doesn't relate to the action of the story. It also means there's not much opportunity for conversation about these pictures which, in my view, is one of the most important things about books for young children.

So, would I recommend this book? The answer is: probably. But, at this price, I'd keep it on a high shelf and only get it down when I had time to share it with my grandchildren so they couldn't ruin it. It's clear a great deal of painstaking work has gone into the making of it and it would be a tragedy to see it ripped or scribbled on. In the end, I have a feeling that this is a book that parents and grandparents will like more than it's liked by the children it's written for. 

These three Dirty Bertie stories are fun. In the first, Bertie thinks he's spotted a UFO and sends a message that brings aliens to his door. In the second story he has to choose between spending a Saturday with ghastly Angela Nicely or having a boring day in the woods with Eugene and his birdwatching-mad dad. The third story - the best of the three in my view - is about Bertie's dreaded school report. 

The main characters are well-drawn and some of the secondary characters, including Miss Boot, Know-All Nick and his mum, and the unsympathetic postman, are hilarious. 

The stories are written in short chapters which are perfect for bedtime. They'll also be enjoyed by children beginning to read chapter books by themselves. There are plenty of line drawings, too, to keep them interested. I'll definitely be recommending this book to all the kids I know because it's a thoroughly good read. 

Katie McGinty Wants a Pet! By Jenna Harrington and Finn Simpson

Katie McGinty wanted a pet.

She wanted a pet more than ANYTHING in the world.

She wanted one more that Tommy Baker wanted to be a superhero.

More than Millie Phillips wanted to be able to stand on her head…

… and more than Hannah Hobbs wished she had a sister.

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Katie McGinty really wants a pet. But she doesn't want an ordinary pet; hamsters, cats and dogs are just… YUCK! What she wants more than anything else in the world is a… zebra! A zebra who slurps spaghetti, sleeps in her bunk bed and swims in the local swimming pool. And Katie's determined to get one! This funny picture book will resonate with any child who has ever wanted a pet - and any parent who has ever been nagged for one!

*****

Reviewed by Liss Norton

If your children want an outlandish pet, steer well clear of this picture book! Make the mistake of reading it to them and they'll be so inspired by Katie McGinty's determination to have a pet zebra that all your well-argued objections to having an elephant, a hippo or a tiger in the house will be brushed aside. 

Seriously though, this book is a lot of fun. The story is simple and comical, with a hilarious twist at the end, and Finn Simpson's illustrations add so much that isn't said in the text. I always think you can tell a good picture book by the time you spend talking about the pictures with young children. This one will keep you chatting for ages with its zany detail. I especially love the Hannah Hobbs page, but seeing a zebra eating spaghetti is pretty funny, too.

Katie McGinty Wants a Pet! is going into my 'Favourite Books of the Year' list. Don't miss it!

No More Cuddles! By Jane Chapman

Barry lived by himself deep in the forest.

He liked strolling about on his own, listening to the birds and tasting juicy berries.

But Barry was never on his own for long…

Summary From Little Tiger Press

Everyone loves a hug… but Barry's just COVERED in cuddles! He lives all by himself deep in the forest but this furry chap is never on his own for long. "Come here, Snuggle-wuggles!" call the animals, diving in for a cuddle! There are simply too many hugs to handle. How can Barry get them to stop? From the best-selling author and illustrator, Jane Chapman, comes a very funny picture book about a lovable monster who has just had enough of HUGS!

*****

Review by Liss Norton

I absolutely love this book. It's laugh-out-loud funny and the text and colourful illustrations work so brilliantly together that there's plenty to talk about on every page. Jane Chapman's sense of humour shines through; even the monster's name is wonderfully, gigglingly daft! It's Barry, in case you were wondering. 

Poor Barry is so soft and cuddly that all the animals in the wood rush to hug him the moment he appears. All he wants is a bit of time to himself but his plans come to nothing. Of course it all turns out well in the end, but I wouldn't dream of giving anything away because this is a must-read book. I have nothing but praise for the contents of the book but, sadly, the cover doesn't quite match up. It's mostly white and brown and it looks rather dull. I'm afraid it might easily be passed over by children and parents looking for a book to share. Don't be one of those who let it slip by! It's way too much fun to miss…!