CHILDREN’S BOOKS
For young and old alike
FAIRYTALES for Mr Barker (Walker Books £10, Oldie price £9.50, baby and toddler) provides just the right mix of cosiness and humour to enchant a toddler. Written and illustrated by Jessica Ahlberg, daughter of Allan and Janet Ahlberg of
Peepo! and Each Peach Pear Plum fame, this gentle tale contains plenty of references to familiar fairy tales, which toddlers will enjoy spotting, as well as detailed domestic scenes — small children will love opening the little doors to peep inside.
The inimitable Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, has recently celebrated her 92nd birthday and is still going strong. Her latest book,
Mister Cleghorn’s Seal (Harpercollins £12.99, Oldie price £11.69, four plus), tells the tale of the eponymous hero who, on a visit to the seaside, rescues a seal pup named Charlie. A beautifully illustrated chaotic adventure ensues, told with warmth, wit and an eye for the ridiculous.
Imaginary Fred, by Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer (Harpercollins £12.99, Oldie price £11.69, four plus), illustrated by Oliver Jeffers of Lost and Found, combines the talents of two stars of the children’s book world to create a dazzling, touching and hilarious tale of an imaginary friend called Fred, who floats in the wind until a lonely little boy wishes for him and finds a very particular kind of friendship.
For the child who can’t resist taking things to pieces to see how they work, Stuff You Should Know! by John Farndon and Rob Beattie (QED £9.99, Oldie price £9.49, seven plus) is a 21stcentury version of the Seventies classic
What Makes It Go?. It tells the story behind the daily activities we take for granted. What exactly happens when you turn on the tap, send a message on the internet, or telephone a friend? How do machines and gadgets, from microwave ovens to jet aircraft, actually work? All is explained with the help of colourful cross-sections and comical little cartoon figures.
School Ship Tobermory by Alexander Mccall Smith (Birlinn £9.99, Oldie price £9.49, seven plus) is the first in a new series of children’s books from the creator of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective
Agency, featuring a colourful cast of characters who live on board a sailing ship based in Tobermory, on the Scottish island of Mull. When a film crew arrives, Ben and Fee are invited to be extras. But their suspicions are aroused — is the film crew up to something sinister?
The Wild Swans by Jackie Morris (Frances Lincoln £10.99, Oldie price £9.99, nine plus) is a lyrical, stunningly illustrated retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale of the princess who is struck dumb when her brothers are turned into swans. She must weave shirts out of nettles to gain their freedom and find her own voice.
National Theatre: All About Theatre (Walker Books £14.99, Oldie price £12.99, nine plus) comes with a puff on the cover from Benedict Cumberbatch, no less, and will inspire aspiring actors of nine plus, as well as those with an interest in what goes on behind the scenes. The book covers everything from script to opening night, taking in rehearsals, set-making, make-up, lighting, sound and music, explaining how their different roles combine to create a unique theatrical experience.
In Railhead (OUP £9.99, Oldie price £9.49, young adult), the masterly writer and illustrator Philip Reeve (whose Goblins trilogy is highly recommended to younger readers, eight upwards) creates another of his extraordinary imaginary worlds, this time for teenagers. The Great Network is a place of maintenance spiders and station angels, where sentient trains criss-cross the galaxy. Zen Starling is a petty thief, a street urchin, who is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Emperor’s train. He jumps at the chance to traverse the Great Network — and to steal more stuff.
And, finally, a stocking-filler for all ages: Chris Riddell’s Doodle a Day (Macmillan £9.99, Oldie price £9.49). The children’s laureate has made it the mission of his laureateship to inspire children to draw more; here he gives 366 illustration prompts and ideas, which will have children (and adults) doodling daily for a year. There are patterns to finish, places to draw your lunch, pets, family and friends, big drawings and tiny pictures, and invitations to draw what you are listening to.