View source for Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland

{{infobox2
|title=Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide
|author=Mara Bergman and Nick Maland
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Oliver can't find Ted, so he hops on board his model train and travels far and wide. There's a great rhythm and Nick Maland's illustrations are lovely.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Hodder Children's Books
|date=July 2009
|isbn=978-0340981634
|aznuk=0340981636
|aznus=0340981636
|cover=0340981636
|website=http://www.hodderchildrens.co.uk/Mara-Bergman_profile.htm
}}

Oliver Donnington Rimington-Sneep is having trouble falling asleep. He's got most of his stuffed toys, but he can't find Ted. He looks all round his room, but no luck. He then does the only sensible thing: he hops on his model train, travelling far and wide through deserts, jungles and mountains in search of Ted.

Trains make for wonderful picture books. There's something charming and magical about them that kids and adults alike love. There's a sense of adventure and elegance that steam trains in particular bring with them. I was hooked from the first page.

Much like WH Auden's Night Train, ''Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide'' taps in to the rhythm of trains. The poem trundles along, clickety-clacking and flowing beautifully. There is one point where the rhythm is interrupted, which will catch you out the first time you read it. That aside, it's a book that begs to be read aloud again and again. Children will remember the words, join in, and of course, begin to recognise words themselves.

Nick Maland's illustrations are as wonderful as ever. Just like his work in [[Oliver Who Would Not Sleep by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland|Oliver Who Would Not Sleep]] and [[Giants by Mij Kelly and Nick Maland|Giants]], there's a classic style to them. They remind me of the picture books I grew up reading, but still retaining their own unique charm. Although the rhythm of the book means you'll read through at a fair ol' pace usually, do get on the stopping service now and then and admire the scenery. Recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.  We also have a review of [[Oliver and the Noisy Baby by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland]].

Train fans will love [[Big Blue Train by Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds]]. [[Elephant by Petr Horacek]] has an equally charming illustrative style.

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[[Category:Mara Bergman]]
[[Category:Nick Maland]]