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The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
It's Christmas Eve, and a young boy is waiting up to catch a glimpse of Santa. When a train pulls up instead, he soon finds himself on the Polar Express, chuffing away to the North Pole, with scores of other children. With hot chocolate in hand, and snowy landscapes whizzing past the windows, he's having a fabulous journey. At the North Pole, he meets the elves and Santa, and waits to see which child will be given the first gift of Christmas. Full review...
The Bloomsbury Nursery Treasury by Patricia Borlenghi and Eleanor Taylor
I am sure that all small children love traditional tales. Maybe for some the appeal is the beguiling innocence of Little Red Riding Hood, or the audacity of Goldilocks as she invades the three bears' cottage or even Jack's daring and courage as he climbs the beanstalk and steals the giant's gold from under his nose. Whichever tale is favourite, there is always something very satisfying when the good characters win and the nasty characters are beaten especially as this always leads of course to a happy ending. Full review...
Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella by James Mayhew
Ella Bella Ballerina's back! Before she was dancing to Sleeping Beauty, and this time it's Sergei Prokofiev's Cinderella. The music washes over here, and suddenly she's whisked away to the fairy tale, with the prince, fairy godmother and all the magic that every reader knows and loves. Full review...
Hugless Douglas by David Melling
Douglas the bear wants a hug. He remembers that some of his best hugs are with big things, so he tries hugging a boulder. That doesn't work so well. What about a tall tree? Nup. Hmm... Poor Douglas. He's going to have to keep hunting around if he wants to get his hug. Full review...
This Is My Book by Mick Inkpen
The Snapdragon has swooped down and eaten the k of Book. He's also broken off a bit of the B, so it looks like the Bookmouse is saying This is my Poo. He's been eating the dots on top of the letter i wherever he can find it too, and spitting them out. What on earth can be done to stop the mean ol' Snapdragon? Full review...
ABC Animal Rhymes For You And Me by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz
Repackaging some rhymes found in Rumble In The Jungle and Commotion In The Ocean, ABC Animal Rhymes For You And Me takes us through the alphabet, with rhymes about the angelfish, boa constrictor, crocodile, and so on. Full review...
Scrummy! by Leigh Hodgkinson
Sunny McCloud is back after losing, then finding, her smile. This time she's considering what kind of sandwich ingredients her family are. When her sandwich turns out to be a bit of a mundane cheese sandwich, she wonders what would spice up her sandwich and her family, going wild with bananas/monkeys and ice cream/penguins. Ice cream in a cheese sandwich? Hmm... Full review...
Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
Limelight Larry is, like most peacocks, a bit of a show-off. He's absolutely delighted to be the star of his very own book, and can't help but preen and boast about how wonderful he is, and how amazing his book will be. When Mouse pops in to the corner of a page, Larry is annoyed to be sharing the limelight, and his frustration grows and grows as more and more creatures show up to talk about Larry's book. How will Larry be able to get the attention he so desperately craves? Full review...
Winnie In Space by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
Winnie The Witch is back, and this time she has a hankering to go into space. With a wave of her magic wand, she creates a rocket, and she and her cat Wilbur are whizzing along from planet to planet, exploring the cosmos, and getting into all sorts of trouble with space rabbits. Full review...
The Three Billy Goats Fluff by Rachael Mortimer and Liz Pichon
Mr Troll has a headache. The Billy Goats Fluff keep trip-trapping over his bridge, making an awful racket. He's not happy one little bit. He's cursing the newspaper advert that brought him under the bridge, and desperate for something to stop the goats from ruining his life. Whatever can a troll do in those circumstances? Full review...
The Three Little Witches by Georgie Adams and Emily Bolam
What happens when three little witches decide to throw a Halloween party? This entertaining story takes us through their decisions over who to invite: Baby Dragon and Wizard Wink are definite, but what about the naughty little witch called Melissa? Then once the invitations have been sent they need to clean the house, await every one's replies, shop for the party and finally host the Halloween celebrations. Full review...
Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
Bram Pire is writing to his Vampa about their new neighbours, the Wolfsons. The Pires love dressing in black, staying up all night and getting up to all sorts of fiendish fun. They have a hard time adapting to the Wolfsons with their sunny dispositions, unpleasantly cheerful pets and jolly parties. Ick! Whatever can be done? Full review...
Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins
A little girl has stopped believing in giants. She ain't never seen no fairy neither, nor mermaids, witches or trolls. As she wanders around the world decrying the lack of magic, strange things seem to happen around her, until she discovers just where the magic lurks. Full review...
The Orchard Book Of Nursery Rhymes For Your Baby by Penny Dann
All your favourite nursery rhymes are here, from Hickory Dickory Dock, through Little Bo Peep and Three Blind Mice, to Sing A Song Of Sixpence. With over sixty nursery rhymes to choose from, all the big names are presented in a beautiful compendium that you'll treasure for years. Full review...
Fortunately, Unfortunately by Michael Foreman
Milo is returning his Granny's umbrella to her. As he sets out, it begins to rain. One thing leads to another, and he finds himself caught up in a thrilling adventure involving a whale, pirates, dinosaurs and aliens. He swings between good news and bad news as he gets up to all sorts of scrapes and japes. Will Granny ever get her umbrella in one piece? Full review...
Father Christmas Needs A Wee by Nicholas Allan
Father Christmas is doing his rounds, drinking all the treats that the boys and girls have left out for him. With that much liquid sloshing around inside him, he's soon bursting for a wee, but he then realises that he's forgotten to deliver the presents, so has to rush back again. Will he ever get to the toilet in time? Full review...
Aesop's Fables by Aesop, Fiona Waters and Fulvio Testa
Everyone knows and loves Aesop's Fables. They're part of our literary tapestry and our everyday lives. We know sour grapes, we know the tortoise and the hare, the boy who cried wolf and so many more. Fiona Waters has retold 60 of the most famous fables in this delightful anthology. Full review...
Three By The Sea by Mini Grey
Dog, Cat and Mouse live together by the sea, each with their own chores to take care of in their own special way. They think that they're happy, but when a stranger turns up from the Winds of Change companny, each of them reassesses their position in their friendship. Full review...
Elmer Again by David McKee
Elmer the patchwork elephant is back... umm... Again. Everything is gearing up for the annual Elmer's Day Parade, where the other elephants paint themselves brightly and he paints himself grey. Being a bit of a scamp, he decides that things need to be livened up, so he plots and plans, then sets about putting a smile on everyone's faces. Full review...
When I Dream Of ABC by Henry Fisher
Apple, ball, cat, dog... yawn... zzz? Not here. When I Dream Of ABC is an alphabet book, sure, but with a playful glint in the eye and delightful illustrations that makes it a joy to read, whether you're learning your alphabet, not ready yet, or already know it backwards and forwards. Full review...
Vile - A Cautionary Tale For Little Monsters by Mark Robinson and Sarah Horne
At the University of Vile, monsters get up to all sorts of monstrous things. Mischief, rudeness and naughtiness are required for educational success. If you're not picking your nose and making a racket, you're for the high jump, missy. Then, one day, two monsters get themselves into a dilly of a pickle when they fall down a hole. They couldn't possibly... (whisper it) co-operate... to get out, could they? Full review...
My Favourite Fairy Tales by Tony Ross
Tony Ross has picked, retold and illustrated his favourite fairy tales, taking in such classics as Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast, whilst also offering up slightly lesser-known ones like The Hedley Kow, The Musicians of Bremen, Sweet Porridge, Prince Hyacinth and Fairy Gifts. Full review...
Katie and the Waterlily Pond by James Mayhew
When Katie and Grandma are at the art gallery, they see there's a competition to paint a picture in the style of Monet. Grandma has a bit of a rest, whilst Katie goes off to look at the Monet exhibition for inspiration. When one of the paintings speaks to her - really speaks to her - she steps inside it and explores... Subtitled A Magical Journey Through Five Monet Masterpieces, Katie and the Waterlily Pond is a wonderful introduction for children to art in general and Claude Monet in particular. They'll get a feel for In The Woods and Giverny, Bathers at La Grenouillère, Path Through the Poppies, The Waterlily Pond, and The Rue Montorgueil, Paris. Full review...
Tinysaurus by Sheryl Webster and Jan Fearnley
Tinysaurus is fed-up of being little. He's tried all sorts of things to get as big as Mummysaurus, Daddysaurus and Bigsissysaurus, but jumping, stretching and strapping tree trunks to his feet have done nothing to help. He's not allowed to go to places and do things on his own, and he's certainly not allowed to look after Mummysaurus' eggs. Then, one day the ground shakes and a Nastysaurus appears... Full review...
Silly Moo by Karen King and Marina Le Ray
When an apple falls on Cow's head, she gets all woozy so decides to go home for a bit of a lie down. She's got mild amnesia, so she goes from place to place on the farmyard, getting to meet all the animals, and causing all sorts of problems as she doesn't realise where she needs to go. Full review...
Cub's First Winter by Rebecca Elliott
It's the first day of winter and Cub can't sleep, so Mum decides the best option is a forest walk. Cub is a mass of questions about the new experiences - why are the trees undressed, why can they see their breath, and why are the birds going on holiday? Mum informs and reassures Cub as they enjoy the wonders of nature and each other's company. Full review...
Just Because by Rebecca Elliott
Toby's best friend is his big sister, Clemmie. She can't walk, talk or move around much. Just because. He loves her dearly, and we discover all the many ways they play together. It's an utterly gorgeous tale of sibling affection. Full review...
Play The Shape Game by Anthony Browne
You might have already played the shape game. It involves doing a squiggle on a piece of paper, then either you or someone else has to turn that squiggle into a full picture. Anthony Browne played it lots when he was little, and now he's playing it with 45 celebrities and you. Proceeds from the book and the auction of the artwork are going to The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, who provide emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. A fantastic cause. Full review...
Milo's Pet Egg by Rebecca Elliott
Milo the lemur discovers a pretty pebble one day. He prods it, and to his surprise it moves! He listens carefully, and finds that it's breathing, so he realises that it's an egg, calls it Snappy, and the two of them get up to all sorts of adventures. Full review...
Big Bad Bun by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Big Bad Bun (formerly known as Fluff) has run away from home to join the Hell Bunnies. He passed the initiation ceremony of being buried up to his nose in cowpats, and has since gone on to do all sorts of baaaaad things, like getting his ear pierced and never washing his whiskers. What on Earth will Big Bad Bun's parents make of all this? ...It IS true, right? He REALLY has joined the Hell Bunnies, right? ...Right? Full review...
Martha, No! by Edward Hardy and Deborah Allwright
Martha Felicity Molly-Anne May gets through nannies faster than most kids get through... well, everything. She's a bit of a handful is our Martha, always doing what she shouldn't, and running her nanny ragged. Her day is, unsurprisingly, peppered with cries of Martha, noooo! Full review...
Mr Chicken Goes To Paris by Leigh Hobbs
Mr Chicken wants to see France, so he reads his guidebooks, learns his French phrases and arranges for his penpal Yvette to meet him at the airport. Ooh la la! Full review...
Unfortunately by Alan Durant and Simon Rickerty
One day a boy is walking through the jungle. Unfortunately, a lion tries to get him. Fortunately, he escapes. Unfortunately, a huge snake is poised to snaffle him up. Fortunately... and on and on it goes, with good news followed by bad followed by good. Ok, so that might make it sound a little simple and boring, but trust me: it's fantastic. Full review...
Molly and the Night Monster by Chris Wormell
Molly is in bed, but then she hears a creak on the stair. Could it be an elephant or a rhino coming to get her? Might it even be a night monster? Luckily, Molly is well-armed with her monster catcher, so should be alright, as the door sloooowly inches open... Full review...
Get Ahead Fred by Daisy Dawes
Fred loves wearing hats. He's got a fez, a bonnet, a stetson, and a glittery fedora. When the Queen announces she's coming to town, he decides to get the finest hat he's ever had. There's no possible way that anything could go wrong, is there? ...Is there? Full review...
Ruggles by Anne Fine and Ruth Brown
Every dog owner has known a dog like Ruggles: they're so good at escaping from where ever they are that they're generally known as Houdini. Ruggles had it all worked out, from the opportunist hop over the fence aided by a pile of newspapers, a bucket and the rabbit hutch to who would snitch on him if he met them (unaccompanied) in the park. The dog lady knows him well and whilst you wouldn't quite call them friends it's obvious that Ruggles knows when he's met his match and hops in the van without complaint. Full review...
Arthur and the Meanies by Jan Fearnley
Arthur the elephant is desperate to play, but the monkeys, Tiger, Peacock and Cheetah all say no. The big meanies. Oh sure, they're happy to be his friend when they want something from him, but as soon as they don't need him any more, they just scamper off and leave him sad. Go on, Arthur, give 'em a soaking! Teach 'em a lesson! Full review...
The Bear's Water Picnic by John Yeoman and Quentin Blake
It's a gorgeous summer's day, so the pig, hen, squirrel, hedgehog and bear all head out on a raft for a picnic in the middle of the lake. They're disturbed by the awrk awrk of the frogs, so paddle off to a different part of the lake, but when they get stuck, they discover the benefits of working together and making new friends. Full review...
Old Dog by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
The Young Pups don't want to go and see Grandpa - all he does is talk about the past, his breath stinks, his false teeth fall out all the time, and he doesn't know how to play all their new games. Their mother reminds them that he's really kind and they visit him after all. When there, they discover that Grandpa wasn't always an old fuddy duddy, and actually there's plenty of excitement lurking under the surface if they just take the trouble to get to know him. Full review...
Elmer and Grandpa Eldo by David McKee
Elmer the patchwork elephant is back, and this time he's visiting Grandpa Eldo. Elmer reminds Eldo of all the things they did together when Elmer was really little, but Eldo can't remember them (or so he says) so Elmer keeps reminding him and reminding him, as they revisit old haunts. Grandpa and grandson, sorry, grandelephant, spend a lovely day together, enjoying one another's company. Full review...
Dinosaur Time by Michael Foreman
Tom's mum has just bought a new timer for the kitchen. It's not a toy, so she tells Tom not to touch it. However, there's a little blue light winking at him, so he can't really help himself. He reaches out and... finds himself whisked back in time. Full review...
Bedtime Without Arthur by Jessica Meserve
Arthur is a very special bear. Using bravery, strength and karate, he keeps Bella safe from monsters when she sleeps. One day, Arthur goes missing, and Bella has to face the monsters on her own. Will Arthur turn up? Will Bella ever get a good night's sleep again? Full review...
Jeremiah Jellyfish Flies High! by John Fardell
Jeremiah Jellyfish is drifting aimlessly through life. He's bored of doing nothing in the great big jellyfish shoal. With a bit of geeing up from his granddad, he strikes out on his own, meets a high-powered businessman, swaps jobs, and becomes an executive in a rocket plane company. As jellyfish do, obviously. Full review...
The Littlest Dinosaur and the Naughty Rock by Camilla Reid and Michael Foreman
After the littlest dinosaur's earlier adventures, Camilla Reid takes hold of the writing reins, whilst Michael Foreman offers up his beautiful illustrations as always. This time, the dinosaur is in a bit of a bad mood, being rude to his dad, shouting at his siblings, and ruining his meal. His mum sends him to sit on the naughty rock, but he's in for quite a surprise when he gets there... Full review...
Too Pickly! by Jean Reidy and Genevieve Leloup
It's Too Purply! with food. That about sums it up, but for those of you who haven't already fallen in love with Jean Reidy's tale of getting dressed, Too Pickly! looks at a little boy (and his hamster) deciding what to eat. Dish by dish, he rejects them for being too pickly, too wrinkly, too burpy, too stringy, and so on, until he finds the one that's just right. Full review...
Lulu's Loo by Camilla Reid and Ailie Busby
We've been here before, as Lulu introduced us to her shoes, clothes and Christmas. Here, she's kind enough to show us all that goes on with her loo, nappies and potty. As before, there are plenty of interesting flaps to lift and things to explore. Full review...
Instructions by Neil Gaiman
Go through the mysterious door, mind the imp, trust the wolves and answer the ferryman's question carefully. Neil Gaiman takes us on a tour of a fantasy land with a series of instructions for surviving the adventure. You'll discover wonders beyond your wildest dreams, and return home safely, a little older and a little wiser. Full review...
Have You Ever Seen A Sneep? by Tasha Pym and Joel Stewart
Ever fallen foul of a Sneep? (No, not Oliver Donnington Rimington-Sneep). What about a Grullock, Knoo or Loon? One poor little boy tries to go about his daily business, but keeps getting interrupted by these mysterious monsters. You've never heard of them before, you say? He wants to have a word with you then... Full review...
Elmer On Stilts by David McKee
Who doesn't already know and love Elmer the patchwork elephant? This time round, he's helping all his other elephant chums avoid the nasty hunters. Throw in a CD version of the story read by Joss Ackland - yes, really - and you're on to a real winner. Full review...
Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The Road by Joel Stewart
Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beastie are hooting and hooting and hooting. Everyone in town is sick to the back teeth of their incessant hooting, so they kick them out of town. Dexter and the Beastie hit the road, hooting as they go, embarking on a rollicking adventure and meeting up with a princess and a dragon. Full review...
Me and You by Anthony Browne
Once upon a time there was a little girl called Goldilocks... You know the rest. Me and You flips the classic fairy tale around, telling it from the three bears' point of view. Nice idea, non? It is, but calling it a retelling merely scratches the surface... Full review...
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
Take one traditional rhyme (A was an apple pie, B bit it...), mix it up a bit with new words, add a pinch of sweet girl and a dash of naughty dog, and you've got a recipe for... well, a unbelievably cliched first line in a review from me, but also a super book. Full review...
Super Dooper Jezebel by Tony Ross
Jezebel is a good girl - so good, in fact, that everyone calls her Super Dooper Jezebel. She's neat and tidy, does her chores, is perfectly behaved, and is an inspiration to all. The Prime Minister sent her a special medal for being so good, and Jezebel gets her own TV show to show others how to behave. She won't even run, because it's against the rules. Sometimes, just sometimes, rules are meant to be broken... Full review...