Flying Diggers

by Ian Whybrow and Illustrated by David Melling

Hodder Children’s Books (Hachette). Picture Book. Hardcover rrp $28.99

Most little boys love trucks and what could be more perfect for these readers than an exciting imaginative play story about an orange Backhoe Loader and a blue Telescopic Handler.

Granbam made these trucks for Teddy and Ruby. The trucks don’t look different but when Granbam hands over hats and keys, he has some advice as well: They’re a bit spesh.

What makes them special is the games Teddy and Ruby play. Team FD. Calling Team FD…. Hurry to the jungle Team FD. F is for Flying and D is for Diggers. The FD team race to the jungle where a tiger cub needs to be rescued from snapping crocodiles.

There’s lots of fun to be had. Action and adventure. 3-2-1 Dive Bomb. Words that Sploosh and Splash. Wonderful, wonderful illustrations of diggers diving, whooshing and rushing around everywhere.

Flying Diggers is sure to be a favourite with truck-loving boys aged three to six.

http://www.ianwhybrow.com/
http://www.davidmelling.co.uk/home.html

Yum, Yum!

by Mara Bergman. Illustrated by Nick Maland

Hodder Children’s Books. Picture, Young Reader. Hardback rrp $28.99

A book that is full of sounds.

Creak, Crack, Creak, Crack.

Hissssssssssssssss, swisssssssssshhhhhh, hissssssssss, swisssssshhh.

SNAP! HUMPH! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! NEIGH! EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

Along with the noises of the “guests” who enter Katie and James’ home, there are the wonderful drawings of these visitors and their hiding spots.

Yum, Yum! is a wonderful book to read aloud – very aloud - with rhymes and giggles for every child that likes to make sound!

This is a book, which might be best read when waking, not sleeping! Just make sure that nanna has her hearing aid turned down or there may be a few complaints!

We Are Wearing Out the Naughty Step

by Mick Inkpen

Hodder Children’s Books. Young Reader. Paperback rrp $16.99

I have used the naughty step to punish my children and when I pulled this book out to read to my young son he flinched a bit – I think he was worried I would make him go there again. But after we started reading, he was soon giggling and laughing and I was smiling as I remembered the reasons I had sent him to our naughty step.

My bear Bertie has always had something fidgety inside him.
I wanted to see what it was. It was beans!
Real beans!
I didn’t mean them ALL to come out.
And it wasn’t me that put one in Jimbo’s ear.

The inquisitiveness of young children is perfectly captured in We Are Wearing Out the Naughty Step. This is a book that may help explain to adults that kids will be kids and that some adults can be kids too – just for awhile! A fun way of looking at the naughty side of life! With wonderful pictures to enhance those feelings. Sometimes being naughty is really just finding out – discovering.

Mick Inkpen is the author/illustrator of The Kipper and Wibbly Pig stories, the winner of the British Book Award for the Best Illustrated Book for Lullabyhullabaloo and the Children’s Book Award for Threadbear. Kipper won a BAFTA for best animated children’s film in 1998.

JACKDAW SUMMER

by David Almond

Hodder Children’s Books. Junior, Young Adult. Hardback rrp $29.99

Liam is a 14 year old boy who lives in Northumberland. Every summer, he and his friend, Max, roam the countryside pretending to find treasure, fighting battles and discovering new things.

Then one summer’s day, Liam and Max meet a jackdaw (similar to a blackbird) who appears to be asking them to follow him. Liam and Max go through the village and out into the fields, down by the river to an old derelict farm house. Inside the boys find a baby wrapped in a blanket with a note pinned to it, along with a jar full of new and old coins and notes.

Not only is finding a baby girl in an abandoned farm house unusual (to say the least!) but the note also seems strange “PLESE LOOK AFTER HER RITE. THIS IS A CHILDE OF GOD.” Liam takes the baby back to his home where the authorities sort out what to do with her.

The summer is one that Liam will never forget. Max wants to hang around girls more, Liam’s own parents seem troubled by the events, and the people that Liam encounters, all because of one little baby, will change his life, maybe for ever.

Jackdaw Summer was a wonderful read with a truly interesting tale. It could be true or it might be just make believe. Either way it will set your mind to thinking about your own friendships, family, and what happens to others.

David Almond has won the Whitbread Children’s Book Award, the Carnegie Medal, the Smarties Silver Award, the Smarties Gold Award and has been shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award for his books Skellig, Wilderness, The Fire-eaters, and Clay. Not surprisingly, Jackdaw Summer is a thought provoking and enjoyable read.

www.davidalmond.com