KIDS’ BOOK OF THE WEEK

CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS

By Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman, HarperCollins Children’s Books, £14.99 (ebook £8.99)

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Michael Morpurgo’s latest offering is a collection of children’s poems inspired by 19th-century composer Camille Saint-Saens’ musical suite of the same name, celebrating nature and the magnificent animals who share our planet.

Each poem is witty and buoyant, giving voice to creatures great and small – from a spiteful Camel and sentimental mother Elephant to a pair of misunderstood Giraffes and a humble Bumblebee.

A personal highlight is Mammoth, detailing the scientific endeavour to revive this extinct creature with heroically charged overtones about the will to succeed.

With stunning illustrations and a foreword by Michael Foreman, this delightful book would make a charming keepsake and welcome addition to any burgeoning bookshelf – or maybe the perfect timeless Christmas gift for any child.