Jill at 20:05, 23 March 2018

2018-03-23T20:05:11Z

Sue at 16:07, 31 January 2015

2015-01-31T16:07:07Z

Sue: Sue moved page Rattle and Rap by Susan Stegall to Rattle and Rap by Susan Steggall

2014-10-21T06:32:48Z

Sue moved page Rattle and Rap by Susan Stegall to Rattle and Rap by Susan Steggall

Sue at 06:32, 21 October 2014

2014-10-21T06:32:33Z

Sue: Created page with "{{infobox |title=Rattle and Rap |author=Susan Stegall |reviewer=Lorraine McDonald |genre=Children's Non-Fiction |rating=4.5 |buy=Yes |borrow=Yes |isbn=978-1847805836 |pages=32..."

2014-10-21T06:32:05Z

Created page with "{{infobox |title=Rattle and Rap |author=Susan Stegall |reviewer=Lorraine McDonald |genre=Children's Non-Fiction |rating=4.5 |buy=Yes |borrow=Yes |isbn=978-1847805836 |pages=32..."

New review

{{infobox
|title=Rattle and Rap
|author=Susan Stegall
|reviewer=Lorraine McDonald
|genre=Children's Non-Fiction
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1847805836
|pages=32
|publisher=Frances Lincoln Children's Books
|date=October 2014
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847805833</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1847805833</amazonus>
|website=http://www.susansteggall.co.uk/
|video=
|summary=All aboard for another vehicle-themed journey written and illustrated by Susan Stegall. Follow an intercity train and its passengers as they cross the country to the end of the line.
}}
Apparently, back in the days of steam, every little boy used to dream of being an engine driver. The trains in ''Rattle and Rap'' are all diesel but the allure of travel still wafts strongly from the pages. This is one in a series of vehicle-themed books aimed at pre-schoolers. It’s unusual to find engaging non-fiction for the under fives. With the focus on vehicles, Susan Stegall takes a staple of many a children’s book but, unlike some other authors, she treats the subject with imagination and creativity. It’s enough to make an anthropomorphised tank engine blush.

The illustrations are in Stegall’s signature collage style. There are some lovely details – the map of Britain on the inside of the train door, the poster advertising Nescafe, the distinctive orange tickets. I can imagine that everyone reading this book will think that at least one of the images is a scene from their locality or somewhere they have been. For me it was the fields and viaduct that reminded me of home and the line hugging the coast reminded me of a Welsh holiday. Sadly I don’t think I’m right if the map tucked in to a rucksack pocket on the front page is a clue.

The text is just three or four words per page, mainly alliterative and onomatopoeic. The main event here though is the illustrations. They are as complex as the text is simple, depicting the journey from embarkation to disembarkation via level crossings, viaducts, coastal tracks and country scenes. Though ''Rattle and Rap'' is non-fiction, there are as many stories as there are passengers on this train journey. Who is travelling? Why are they there? Who are they leaving? Who are they meeting? And quite how did the surfer dude, seen arriving and leaving with his board, get it on the train? Aficionados will recognise some trade marks from previous volumes – spot the signature red mini, the blue tractor and look out for the dogs. With minimal text and complex scenes, I like to read through once keeping the pace and rhythm of the prose. I then repeat slowly my boy examines the pictures.

''Rattle and Rap'' is a bold, different and vibrant book. With no leaves on the lines, no delays and certainly no rows about awarding contracts, most little boys and girls will ask to read it again and again.

For some brrmm brmm to go with your choo choo try [[The Life of a Car by Susan Steggall]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1847805833}}
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[[Category:For Sharing]]

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+{{infobox2
 |title=Rattle and Rap
 |author=Susan Steggall
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 |publisher=Frances Lincoln Children's Books
 |date=October 2014
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847805833</amazonuk>
+|aznuk=1847805833
-|amazonus=<amazonus>1847805833</amazonus>
+|aznus=1847805833
 |website=http://www.susansteggall.co.uk/
 |video=

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← Older revision	Revision as of 06:32, 21 October 2014
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Rattle and Rap by Susan Steggall - Revision history

Jill at 20:05, 23 March 2018

Sue at 16:07, 31 January 2015

Sue: Sue moved page Rattle and Rap by Susan Stegall to Rattle and Rap by Susan Steggall

Sue at 06:32, 21 October 2014

Sue: Created page with "{{infobox |title=Rattle and Rap |author=Susan Stegall |reviewer=Lorraine McDonald |genre=Children's Non-Fiction |rating=4.5 |buy=Yes |borrow=Yes |isbn=978-1847805836 |pages=32..."