As a stellar year for children’s books draws to a close, EMMA LEE-POTTER chooses her favourites
PICTURE BOOKS
It’s nearly Christmas in the Kalahari Desert and the meerkats are busy decorating their burrow. But young Sunny is worried there’s no snow and no presents so he sets off to find somewhere more Christmassy. Emily Gravett’s MEERKAT CHRISTMAS (Two Hoots, £12.99), complete with fold-out Christmas cards, proves there’s no place like home.
Why is number 34 the only house in the street without a Christmas tree? OH, CHRISTMAS TREE! (Macmillan, £6.99) is the tale of a stroppy Christmas tree who wants to help with lunch and pull crackers, not stand in a pot looking sparkly.A festive and fun rhyming story from award-winning duo Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet. In THE DINKY DONKEY by Craig Smith (Scholastic, £6.99), the sequel to The Wonky Donkey, the antics of Wonky Donkey and his daughter will make pre-schoolers roar with laughter. When one of Sir Paul McCartney’s eight grandchildren started calling him “Grandude”, the name inspired him to write his first picture book, HEY GRANDUDE! (Puffin, £12.99).
Grandude is an intrepid explorer who whisks his grandchildren off on a series of adventures, from riding on flying fish to dodging wild buffalo. Award-winning artist Oliver Jeffers excels at producing beautiful books that make children smile and make them think too. THE FATE OF FAUSTO (HarperCollins, £16.99) is his most ambitious yet – the cautionary tale of a know-itall who thinks he owns everything until he sets off to sea and discovers the might of the waves.A stunning work with a powerful message. Suitable for four+.
Oliver Jeffers also illustrates THE CRAYONS’ CHRISTMAS (HarperCollins, £14.99) by Drew Daywalt. In their latest irresistible story, the crayons celebrate Christmas in a book that comes with cards and envelopes, stickers and a pop-up tree.
Tadpole Tad (above) is left behind as her brothers and sisters evolve into frogs and leap away from their pond. Can she escape the clutches of scary fish Big Blub? TAD, the latest book by The Storm Whale author Benji Davies (HarperCollins, £12.99), is one of the most eye-catching of the year.
Bernard is a rabbit so he’s supposed to love carrots, not disco dancing. But when he decides he can’t hide his secret passion any longer, he discovers that being yourself is the only way to be. BE MORE BERNARD by Simon Philip and Kate Hindley (Simon & Schuster, £6.99) is lively and full of fun with an important message for readers. In THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS by The Gruffalo’s Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Scholastic, £12.99) (bottom), the families of Janet Smed and Bill Smoo are appalled when the pair fall in love, only to discover the Smeds and Smoos aren’t so different after all. A timely tale of tolerance that’s fun to read aloud.
FIVE PLUS In THE MISADVENTURES OF FREDERICK (Two Hoots, £12.99) a boy, Frederick, sits morosely on his bed in a country mansion.When Emily invites him to climb trees and eat ice cream, he’s too timid to join her.Written by Ben Manley and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, this evocative story highlights the importance of making friends and enjoying outdoor fun. Shirley Hughes has enthralled generations of children with her illustrations of family life and in ANGEL ON THE ROOF (Walker Books, £12.99) Lewis Brown’s life changes forever when he makes friends with an angel.A timeless and touching tale, with gold endpapers and delicate line drawings. Sophie Dahl lets her imagination run riot in MADAME BADOBEDAH (Walker Books, £12.99) which tells the charming story of Mabel, a little girl who lives in a seaside hotel.When an eccentric old lady checks in with 23 bags, two dogs, two cats, a tortoise and lots of secrets, Mabel is determined to find out what she’s up to. Lauren O’Hara’s artwork is a delight.
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg has inspired a host of books, including GRETA AND THE GIANTS (Frances Lincoln, £6.99). Written by Zoe Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico, it’s the story of a little girl who takes a stand against a group of giants intent on chopping down trees to build towns. Tom Fletcher’s THE CHRISTMASAURUS AND THE WINTER WITCH (Puffin, £12.99) is a captivating read that seesWilliam Trundle reunited with his Christmasaurus – “a blue flying dinosaur, with shimmering scales and a frosty mane of icicles”. Invited to the North Pole by Santa Claus, William discovers that the fate of Christmas hangs in the balance. Suitable for seven plus. INCREDIBLE JOBS YOU’VE (PROBABLY) NEVER HEARD OF (Nosy Crow, £14.99) is fun and