CHILDREN’S

SALLY MORRIS

WHERE ARE YOU PUFFLING? by Gerry Daly and Erika McGann

(The O’Brien Press, €12.99) A DELIGTFUL picture book set on Skellig, off the coast of Co. Kerry, this combines a heartwarming story with a timely message to look after our wildlife.

A puffling has gone in search of adventure — and now her puffin parents can’t find her anywhere! They talk to the seal, the gannet and the rabbit; they walk to the huts and the cliffs and the cove. They hear lots of stories of the puffling helping others, but they just cannot find their fluffy, black chick. Finally, they spot her – on a boat out at sea. The puffling is too small to fly home, so the animals of Skellig work together and come up with something very clever.

Beautifully illustrated and sure to become a favourite with young readers.

CIRCLE by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen

(Walker €12.99) THIS inspired third and final title in Barnett and Klassen’s shapes series introduces Circle, who lives by a waterfall. When she plays hide and seek with Square and Triangle, she forbids them from hiding behind the waterfall — which, of course, only encourages Triangle to disobey. When Circle is forced to look for him in the increasing blackness, she encounters an unknown shape . . .

As in the previous titles, all the expression is in the eye movements, and the dry-as-a-bone humour, combined with the stunning, muted grey-green, black and brown palette, create a witty adventure to treasure.

TAD by Benji Davies

(HarperCollins €18.20) BENJI DAVIES has won multiple awards for titles such as The Storm Whale and this delightful new book confirms his talent.

Tad is a tiny tadpole whose siblings grow long legs and shed their tails much faster than their baby sister, and scare her with warnings about Big Blub, the greedy fish who lurks in the shadows.

Eventually all the others turn into frogs but mysteriously disappear, leaving Tad alone and scared.

When Blub chases her, Tad must fight to survive — with a joyously happy ending.

This beautifully illustrated, gently funny story offers reassurance about growing up at your own pace and outsmarting your fears.