Rebecca Recommends: ‘The Dinosaur That Pooped A Planet!’ By Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter

This is the story of Danny and Dinosaur and their adventure to space, where Dinosaur manages to poop a planet. Yes, that’s right. A dinosaur that poops a planet! It’s a lucky thing that you can’t smell in space. This is a funny picture book for young children.

The story begins with Danny and Dinosaur who are desperate for some fun, when Danny comes up with a wonderful plan. Why not go to space today? So, after their mummy packs them a delicious lunch, they are off to the Science Museum. The museum is full of huge shiny rockets and Danny and Dinosaur can’t resist going inside a big orange spaceship, conveniently ready for launch. With buttons everywhere inside, what child could resist pressing them all? Before Danny and Dinosaur know it, they are shot into space on an exciting intergalactic space mission. But what will happen when Dinosaur’s belly starts rumbling and Danny realises that they've left their packed lunches back on earth? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

© Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter. Illustrations by Garry Parsons 

With inventive and charming rhymes in the style of Dr. Seuss, this is an irresistibly funny book, perfect to read out loud to children at bedtime. It was a lovely surprise to find my edition came with a page of stickers of the characters (I discovered I still get excited by stickers) as well as a QR code to view a video clip of the authors Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter (who I also discovered are two of the guys from the band, McFly).

The illustrations by Garry Parsons are wonderfully vibrant and humorous and the depictions of Dinosaur are particularly endearing. I’m certain that children will find this story a joy and I am sure that little boys in particular will find the poo references particularly hilarious. 

With colourful illustrations, a silly story and lots of funny poop, it’s hard to find fault with this very entertaining picture book. 

Illustrated by Garry Parsons. Red Fox (2013)

For more information, please check out:

http://www.garryparsons.co.uk/

Rebecca Recommends: 'To Be A Cat' By Matt Haig

This is the story of Barney, a curly haired school boy who is unfortunately going through a string of bad luck. The book does not start with his introduction however. It begins with a secret. A warning. Cats are magical, mysterious and NOT to be underestimated. When Barney wishes his woes away, he is inexplicably turned into a one and thrown into dangerous territory. A plot full of twists and turns, Barney must escape feral cats and a rather evil headmistress and somehow return back to his human form. A story that highlights that you must be careful what you wish for. This is a magical mystery adventure for children aged 9 and up.

© Pete Williamson (2012)

After the unexpected and rather intriguing forewarning by the author, Barney arrives in chapter two rather quietly. An instantly likable and relatable character, Barney is sadly dealing with too many problems that are all trying to get their claws in at once. A nasty school bully, a horrible headmistress and his Dad’s sudden disappearance all weigh heavy on his shoulders. All on his birthday too. In the days that follow, things just get worse for poor Barney. After some strange goings on, Barney half-jokingly asks a peculiar cat whether he fancied swapping places. After all Barney’s been through, you sympathetically nod and agree that in his position, you would wish the same. At that moment, Barney experiences a spell of dizziness and heads off home, not knowing that his transformation and mysterious adventure is about to begin.

'Be careful what you wish for - Old saying, said by miserable people everywhere.' © Matt Haig (2012)

I loved the darkly comic mood of the story, reminiscent for me of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket. I was gripped by its thrilling pace and wonderfully convoluted mystery that had me guessing all the way through. Its surprises and revelations were thoroughly enjoyable, with unexpected threads of the story weaving in when you thought it couldn't get any more exciting. Despite all this action, its well rounded and memorable characters are not neglected. Barney’s problems are handled with plenty of heart and while all does not end as expected, the story concludes with a touching message that left me smiling as I finished the last page.

The black and white illustrations throughout are charming and funny and I particularly enjoyed the rather sinister portrayal of Miss Whipmire, the headmistress. I also loved the added detail of the flip book effect of a running cat on the bottom of each page.

© Pete Williamson (2012)

I believed that this will be well-loved by all that read it for its exhilarating plot, superb villain and touching message. It was an unexpected and satisfying find and I will enjoy picking this one up again in the future. 

Illustrations by Peter Williamson. Corgi (2012)

For more information, please check out: 

http://www.matthaig.com/

http://www.petewilliamson.co.uk/

Rebecca Recommends: 'The Night Fairy' by Laura Amy Schlitz

This is the story of Flory. She is a night fairy whose wings become damaged and so must undertake the life of a day fairy, navigating her way flightless and alone through a dangerous garden in order to survive. A fairy book for children aged 7 and up.

While Flory’s story begins with a tragedy that leaves her vulnerable and wounded, her strength soon shines through and she is discovered to be a brave and quite feisty little character. Having lived without any guidance from her fellow fairies however, (who apparently can’t abide bad manners), Flory can be a little rude and bossy. But through the dangers of the garden and the adventures she takes, Flory soon learns her lesson and you root for her all the way.

‘I work in a school library and little girls come to me every week, asking, “Do you have a book about a fairy?” They don’t want a fairy tale; they want a story with a fairy as the main character. They want to gaze at fairy pictures and think themselves small, alive in a dewy jungle of flowers.

I wrote The Night Fairy for these little girls. They are often quite interesting little girls—animal lovers, adventure lovers, and future wild women. I wanted to give them a fairy book that would combine the minute prettiness of fairy life with excitement and suspense.’ – Laura Amy Schlitz, Author © Candlewick Press (2011)

What I loved about this book was its beautiful sensory descriptions that really pulled you deep into the world of Flory’s story. Many of my beloved childhood books such as ‘The Little White Horse’ by Elizabeth Goudge and the 'Harry Potter' series by J.K Rowling would take the time to cherish visual delights and physical experiences, with descriptions of food and drink so ripe and full that you could almost taste it. This is what ‘The Night Fairy’ does so beautifully. I felt as if I could hear the rain and distant sound of bats and birds in the night. I was there to feel the whoosh of momentum as Flory and I clung to the back of a huge squirrel and I sat with her on the floor of her abandoned bird house as she magically wove her spider web rope.

‘She is a creature of simple needs, and after providing herself with a bed, clothes, and storage under difficult circumstances, she gets on with her mission outdoors. She is brave and resourceful – a perfect heroine.’ Angela Barrett, Illustrator. © Walker Books Ltd (2011)

Within the story, there is a subtle lore of the night fairies which helps build Flory’s character as well as explain how her magical abilities continue to grow. The book is also interspersed with absolutely gorgeous and memorable illustrations; vibrant, rich and exciting. Wonderful pictorial treats that I was eager to come across.

 I would definitely love to recommend this book. It will be going in my treasured favourites pile and I’m so glad I picked it up. If you know any girls or boys (or big kids like me) that like a good fairy story or going on an adventure with miniature creatures in a giant’s world, this is a great book to pick up.

Illustrated by Angela Barrett. Walker Books (2011)

For more information, please check out: www.thenightfairy.com