The Whale Who Wanted More

Humphrey the whale spends all his time roaming the ocean, forever seeking for treasure. But he never able to find the one thing he is sure will make him feel complete. It takes a spirited crab and a few home truths for him to realise that it’s not possessions that will make Humphry’s heart sing!

Another triumph from the perfect paring which brought us the joy of ‘The Lion Inside’ and ‘The Squirrels who Squabbled’, ‘The Whale Who Wanted More’ is a timely tale about the important things in life. Humphrey is on an empty quest, filling his life with all the glitter and gizmos he can find, desperately seeking something to fill up his sense of longing. But it is only when he gives, not takes, sharing his gift of song, that he finally feels content. So much to discuss...! The text is perfectly paced for reading aloud, with alliteration, onomatopoeia and some fabulous vocabulary choices adding to the joy.

The illustrations are fabulous- each spread full of colour and interest. There are plenty of pictures to linger over and consider what each character might be thinking and feeling, developing empathy. It’s great to see this huge, male character being vulnerable and then finding friendship and contentment from the simplest things. Older children would enjoy discussing and sharing this as much as younger!

‘The Whale Who Wanted More’ celebrates the positive power of sharing and being kind and reminds us how little is needed to make us truly happy.

The Whale Who Wanted More

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Hachette ISBN: 978-1408349236

The Way Home for Wolf

Wilf, a wolfling, is determined to show his independence and as the wolf pack moves on, he declares he will lead the way. The other wolves tell him to wait until he’s older and although Wilf tries to keep up, he soon falls further and further behind. Reluctant to ask for help, he realises he’s lost and quickly finds himself in trouble. A meeting with a sea unicorn leads to Wilf accepting help from other creatures and finding his way back to the heart of his pack.

What a joy of a book! Little Wilf comes to understand that everyone needs to ask for and accept help at times and that there is a joy in working with others. Told in rhyme, the text flows beautifully and is a pleasure to read aloud.

The illustrations are simply stunning. Scenes showing the silhouetted wolves howling at the moon and running across snowy landscape are just lovely. The picture showing Wilf plunging through the ice and meeting the narwhal is quite gorgeous, but my favourite of all is the one of Wilf gazing at the sky with his new friends picked out in the stars.

Since wherever life takes you, wherever you roam…

we’re all just a handful of friendships from home.

Another triumph from this perfect partnership, ‘The Way Home for Wolf’ is a joy to share.

The Way Home for Wolf

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard Books ISBN: 978-1408349205

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

Spontaneous Cyril has spent his time partying and having fun instead of gathering stores for the winter. Realising his cupboards are bare, Cyril spots one lone pine cone, ripe for plucking, and sets off to pick it. At the same time, 'Plan-Ahead Bruce' decides that the final thing he needs to complete his well stocked winter larder is the self-same pine cone!

Each sets off to claim their prize and the ensuing battle of the pine cone nearly leads to disaster!

The rhyming text bounces along as it follows the antics of these two nut-lovers. Rachel Bright's rich use of language includes alliteration and onomatopoeia- brilliant for listening to and great fun to read aloud! 

The illustrations are a pure delight! Full of details, each spread is a joy! Cyril and Bruce are just wonderful, each easily identifiable as a separate personality. 

A great way of gently pointing out the folly of silly squabbles, this book is sure to join 'The Lion Inside' and 'The Koala Who Could' as firm classroom favourites!

The Squirrels Who Squabbled   

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Hachette Children's      ISBN: 978-1408340479

The Koala Who Could

Kevin doesn't like change. He's not keen to try anything new- or move much really. He just wants to stay in his tree and makes excuses if anyone asks him to do anything. He is very happy staying firmly in his comfort zone. There is a tiny part of Kevin that wishes he could join in with the others; however, he stays firmly put in his eucalyptus tree until something happens- that gentle push- that shows him change is not as scary as he thought!

Who hasn't been afraid of taking that first step? Or of confronting that fear? Or of changing their ways? Through exploring Kevin's fears, this lovely story allows children to identify with them and perhaps come to understand their own. By developing a 'can-do' attitude, Kevin is soon involved in lots of fun with his friends- a message for all of us perhaps!

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and complement the bouncy, rhyming text perfectly. Kevin is cuteness personified and has the most amazing range of expressions. Each page is full of humorous details and vibrant scenes of Australia and its fantastic creatures!

With its positive message and adorable characters, 'The Koala Who Could' is every bit as lovely as 'The Lion Inside'. Rachel Bright and Jim Field make a fantastic team and I look forward to seeing what they will delight us with next!

The Koala Who Could

Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Orchard Books    ISBN: 978-1408331644

Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a Sad Thing

When he tries to eat Rabbit, Wolf is banished to the Dark Woods. However, he is soon replaced by an even greater threat when Icebear arrives, demanding to be made King of the Valley. In spite of Bear’s attempts to be friendly, helpful, nice and kind, the ‘king’ is horrible and treats everyone badly. In desperation, Rabbit turns to Wolf for help and finds his invaluable advice works to send the bad King packing.

The ‘Rabbit and Bear’ books offer wonderful stories, full of wit and wisdom. Once again, a complex issue is presented in a way in which children can really understand and relate to using humour and endearing characters. In this story, Rabbit and Bear find a way to resolve conflict peacefully, bring the community together and find inner strength to face difficult situations.

Icebear is a big bully who uses his size and strength to intimidate and manipulate the other animals into giving him whatever he wants. His cruelty to poor Owl and his causal unkindness to the other animals leave even wise, peace loving Bear stumped and offer plenty for the reader to discuss and think about. Wolf’s advice is also worth considering, ‘Rule yourself WISELY! You can’t just order yourself to do impossible things.’

There is plenty of humour in the story and we laughed out loud when Mole says, ‘I thought this kind of terrible thing only happened in books!’ when Icebear pooped on his head as ‘The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business’ was a huge favourite when my son was little!

The illustrations are as wonderful as ever. Rabbit has an incredible range of expressions for every occasion and each picture is bursting with details to notice and enjoy! I’m thrilled to see that another adventure for this pair is on its way!

Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a Sad Thing

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children’s ISBN: 978-1444937466

Rabbit and Bear: A Bite in the Night

The latest in this series sees our lovable forest friends facing Progress with a capital P! As Bear is getting ready for her winter sleep, Rabbit is increasingly worried by things that are changing. The river has moved…trees are disappearing…soon, even Bear is close to being slightly worried. Beaver has been at work and Progress is his middle name- nothing is going to get in his way. But Progress is not good for Rabbit- or Mole-or Vole-or Mouse… Although some of the animals might be better off as a result of the changes made in the name of Progress, can they stand by and see their friends suffer?

Told with the usual gentle humour and fabulous illustrations, the ‘Rabbit and Bear’ stories are also wonderful at conveying clear messages and making everyone stop and think. Although change needs to happen and some progress is needed, the cost to the countryside and other people should always be considered. Once Bear’s favourite scratching tree has gone, it cannot be replaced in a hurry- years of nature at work destroyed in an instant. Sometimes, alternatives need to be considered or simply more thought needs to be given to whether ‘Progress’ is really necessary.

The fabulous illustrations are every bit as engaging as in the previous Rabbit and Bear stories and Bear’s expressions are just wonderful! This latest addition to the ‘Rabbit and Bear’ series is a delight.

Rabbit and Bear: A Bite in the Night

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444938180

Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack

This is the third book about the irascible Rabbit and level-headed Bear. In this story, they meet - or are attacked by!- Owl who crash lands near them. Rabbit is predictably outraged at the arrival of this stranger- particularly when he remembers that some owls eat rabbits!

Keen to find a snack, Bear leaves Rabbit to it- something she later regrets as things quickly get out of hand- but everything works out well in the end.

Tolerance and understanding are at the heart of this book. In the middle of all the humour- and this is a very funny book- the story shows the very serious and disturbing issues of how fear and mass hysteria can whip people up to commit unreasonable and unjustified actions. Rabbit becomes increasingly paranoid and his exaggerations increasingly extreme, yet no one but Bear challenges him. As Bear says...

'I don't think you won the argument...I think you just shouted the loudest.'

Being able to laugh at Rabbit's wild accusations makes it easier to start discussions about tolerance and acceptance, about challenging stereotypes - and about the fact that we all make mistakes. No one- not even Rabbit- is perfect and we all need to acknowledge when we get things wrong. 

The book is very entertaining with plenty of toilet humour- possibly a bit too much for my liking- but with the usual educational slant! The things I now know about poo! 

The illustrations are a joy as in each of these stories. Warm tones highlight some of the pictures and there are lots of them throughout the book. Another winner!

Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack

Hodder Children's      ISBN:  978-1444938173

Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest

This little volume is every bit as delicious as the first!

The illustrations are fabulous, adding to the humour and joy of reading the story. Rabbit continues to be cantankerous, finding fault with all around him. Bear's snoring, Tortoise being there, Woodpecker's tapping- everything makes him angry. It takes the help of his calm and relaxed friend, Bear, to help him stop fighting himself and accept things. 

We all have 'those' days- the ones where nothing seems to go right and everything seems at odds. Today would be one of those days for me! And it really helps on those days to remember that if we can't control everything around us, we can control ourselves and our reactions to things. 

And this is the conclusion Rabbit comes to ...

'I shall stop thinking of it as a Nasty Noise. I shall think of it instead as a nice, friendly reminder that my friend Bear is nearby.'

And suddenly, the sound, without changing at all, made Rabbit feel all warm and happy.

The story is great for discussing our reactions to things- and although it won't change the world -might help children to recognise themselves in Rabbit and while laughing at his antics, take another look at their own!

Bear and Rabbit: The Pest in the Nest

Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children's      ISBN: 978-1444934267

Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habit

Bear is awoken early from her hibernation and decides that if she can't sleep, she'll make her first-ever snowman. Rabbit has never made a snowman either - and is determined to make one better than Bear's. However, when faced with a hungry fox, Rabbit learns that a friend in need is a friend indeed!

This is a great little book that is quite different, making it an excellent read aloud for children of any age. Humorous and informative, as well as learning about gravity and the workings of a rabbit's digestive system (yes, there are a lot of discussions about poo!), the reader watches as these two very different characters develop a firm friendship as they come to understand and value each other.

Bear is a wonderfully 'glass-half-full' personality. Someone has woken her up and stolen her food- well, it's a beautiful day and she's always wanted to build a snowman! Rabbit, on the other hand, is half-empty- a fairly joyless soul, who hates being a rabbit, thinks life is pretty awful - and is the one who stole Bear's food. The clever character development can be used to give children ideas about how to create their own as, although an excellent read aloud, there is so much more that this book could be used for!

Observation is a key part of scientific enquiry and should there be a school rabbit, then first hand observation of rabbit's bad habits might be possible! Instructional guides on how to look after pet rabbits could be created, illustrated with photographs, annotated drawings etc. 

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful, capturing the creatures' personalities perfectly and using a very simple range of colours. Several spreads could be used to encourage the children to make predicitions, gather vocabulary and develop ideas about character. The children could also make simple origami rabbits and bears and then use these as puppets to re-tell the story or to use as the basis for animations of their own stories based on the original. On Jim Field's website, children can read about how he developed his ideas for illustrating the book and perhaps be inspired to develop their own. http://www.jimfield.co.uk/Rabbit-Bear

The book is also just the right size for little hands. Perfect for both emergent and more confident readers, this is one of those special books that offers so much: humour, good writing, fabulous illustrations and two wonderful, mismatched friends that I hope are going to be at the heart of many tales to come. 

 Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit's Bad Habits

 Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Hodder Children's Books     ISBN: 978-1444929317