REALBOOK NEWS

for adults helping children

learn English as a foreign language

or additional language

May and November download Issues from distributed free www.realbooks.co.uk

Novelty Books -3D Communicative Games?

From the Editor - Opal Dunn

Issue 12 introduces some new, exciting 3D Novelty Books. These books stimulate immediate interactive communication as their 3D illustrations introduce a physical play feature often in the form of a game. (Feature Article: Novelty Books – 3D Communicative Games?). Novelty Books are not new to REALBOOK NEWS. All Kinds of People (Issue 7) has become a favourite with many older readers. Novelty Book techniques are developing rapidly and many now include more than one novelty to stimulate and satisfy the demands of TV and Disney influenced readers. Some boys, who have difficulty in reading in English, find their fun interaction with a Novelty Book switches them on to learning English. Novelty Books may also help to motivate some Young Learner’s whose only exposure to reading English has been in a Text Book.

There has been little research into the use of Novelty Books in the VYL’S and YL’s classroom and it would be good if you could try at least one Novelty Book with the children you teach to find out their reactions. I would be grateful to have your feed back as we need to know more about children’s response to these interactive 3D books. A word of warning, however, the construction of these books tends to make them more fragile than conventional picture books. Novelty Books 3^rd Dimension is generally made of paper and inevitably, with use, the finer examples of paper sculpture tear, so be ready to do some repairs! That said please enjoy the fun!

Tell it again! The New Story Telling Handbook is now published by Pearson Education ISBN 0-582-44774-7. Tell it again! includes a comprehensive Methodology section useful to any one wanting to use REAL picture story BOOKS as well as Teacher’s notes on 12 stories from around the world including Something Else (Issue 8). Aimed at children in the 8-11 age-group the book includes photocopiable activity sheets and a cassette with recordings of many of the stories. The authors Gail Ellis and Jean Brewster stress in their introduction ‘Real success depends on having the right story for the linguistic and conceptual level of the children.’

Ready Steady GO! Using Realbooks in the Primary EFL Classroom by Sandie Jones Mourao will be published by Mary Glasgow/Scholastic in Spring 2003. This will be a photocopiable resource book for children from 3 – 12 years. Ready Steady GO! will introduce 9 REALpictureBOOKS already published by Scholastic including Nick Sharratt’s Ketchup on your cornflakes.

German speakers may be interested in Heide Niemann’s book Mit Bilderbuchern English Lernen published by Kallmeyer ISBN 3-7800-2044-0. Heide Niemann has worked for many years using the best of REALpictureBOOKs and is an authority in Germany on the use of REALBOOKS in the Primary Classroom. Annie Hughes, The University of York, has encouraged Heide in her work and in the publication of her well researched articles, which comprise this book.

Professor Marianne Nikolov has informed me that The Report on The Pecs REALBOOK Project in Hungary, sponsored by REALBOOK NEWS, will shortly be published. Based on this Project, Pecs University has made a proposal to the Ministry of Education that a pilot project using REALBOOKS be included in their Innovation Pilot Schemes for the next academic year. The project will include a pack of REALBOOKS as well as Refresher Training Courses for Teachers.

REALBOOK NEWS has recently sponsored The Nettlehouse REALBOOK Project in Portugal, which will run over a period of 9 months. Led by Sandie Jones Mourao it is concerned with making books available for browsing both in school and at home.

Feature Article - Novelty Books – a 3D communicative game?

Novelty Books today represent an impressive and developing market for many British Children’s Publishers. Some Children’s Publishers, aware of present competition, now request authors and illustrators to include more than one form of novelty within a picture book. Well-established series like Elmer, David McKee’s colourful elephant, are now introducing novelties into their new books in order to keep up with this evolving market. Today’s adult book-buying public in UK look for Novelty Books and many larger chain-book shops now have, within their children’s departments, special sections or shelves devoted to Novelty Books and Pop-ups. ‘UK children are thought to be the most sophisticated in Europe and the design of books must acknowledge this.’ Jenny Morris - Children’s Book Circle Newsletter April 2000

Novelty Books – a new form of children’s literature?

The outside cover of a Novelty Book may look the same as any other conventional children’s picture book except, as in Jan Pienkowski’s Pizza, the book may be bulging with paper sculptures and other novelties that take up space and prevent the pages from lying flat. Some book covers list the types of novelty or novelties included within the book as in Mark Birchall’s Hen goes to Market - A Lift-the-Flap, Pull-the-tab Story! Novelties bring the book alive; for the child novelties seem to make the book explode in their hands into a captivating 3 Dimensional experience over which they have power and with which they can play.

Novelties may consist of flaps to be lifted either up or down, tabs to be pulled, rotating discs to be turned, layered paper sculptures to be unfolded, switches to be turned on and off, cut out paths to be glided along, silver paper mirrors to reflect a face or fabrics of different qualities to be touched and felt. The 3^rd Dimension adds to the pictures extra fun, surprises and challenges. These make the book more immediately interactive in a different and more specific way as the child needs hands-on physical involvement in order to coordinate the novelties within the illustrations and also decode the story text.

Novelty Books are described as Moveable Books, Mechanical Books, Pop-ups and Toys. However game seems more appropriate as they involve structured play with a definite beginning and end and a structured participation. Games do not need an out come of winning or loosing; many games are a form of structured play which give the player or players an opportunity to learn and improve their own performance. It is possible that this is what a child feels as he whips through a familiar Novelty Book reciting the story aloud from memory as he lifts-up the flaps and unravels the paper sculptures. ‘One of the characteristics of a well-told tale is that as we read it our awareness of the book in which it is written tends to fade away, but when the material fabric of the book has been doctored in such a way as to draw attention to itself, it is less easy to withdraw into that fictive, secondary world’. David Lewis

The beneficial and important role that physical involvement and play have in children’s holistic development is well recorded, but what happens when this is combined in a Novelty Book is yet to be researched. Certainly through some Novelty Books children can experience play well beyond what real-life experience can offer at their age. In Gus Clarke’s Let’s Go Driving the child can imagine that he is turning on the engine and driving away in a real car. David Lewis explains Vygotsky’s theory that forms of imaginative play, such as pretending a cardboard box is a car, arise first when children experience desires that cannot immediately be satisfied. They play these imaginative games following the rules: that is doing what adults do. Gus Clarke’s Novelty Book sets the scene for an imaginative car experience without the child having to go further than opening the book. It appears that some Novelty Books can provide children with contained, portable, easy-to-access imaginative play experiences, the like of which a child may have difficulty in creating either at home or at school.

Novelty books are not a new idea. The first recorded Novelty Book was written for adults in the 13^th Century. Novelty Books have been on book-shelves long enough to become classics. These include The Spot Books, Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and books by Rod Campbell’s like Dear Zoo. In the last few years the number and types of Novelty books published by UK Publishers has increased as have the variety of Novelty techniques. This may be in part due to the training now available in Art and Printing Colleges in UK, which include courses on paper engineering. The availability at affordable prices of skilled labour capable of manufacturing and assembling novelty books, often by hand, in countries like China, Singapore, Thailand, Columbia and Ecuador has also contributed to this increase.

The role of Novelty Books in the EFL classroom

• To stimulate interest in looking at books and reading. However, some children may enjoy playing with the 3rd Dimension without bothering to read the text. This may occur where the text does not demand a choice, which has to be made by manipulating the Novelty.
• To help in picking-up language as language is learned more easily when there is physical involvement within an activity.
• To help in predicting and anticipating - for example in lift-the-flap books.
• In using language by retelling the story using the illustrations plus novelties as props.
• In providing a holistic, positive game experience, which for reluctant readers might act as a bridge to later enjoyment of conventional REALpictureBOOKS. (Issue 11)
• To contributing to a child’s English language learning, and also home language development.

· In giving opportunities to deepen imagination and creativity and help make sense of the world.

• In learning to take good care of books as Novelty Books are more fragile and easily torn.

Presenting Novelty REALpictureBOOKs

Presentation has to be carefully prepared and structured otherwise children may not pick-up the text and the necessary language to talk about the pictures and novelties.

• Books are exciting and instantly invite interaction, so it is important to prepared for children’s reactions and plan the linguistic interaction you would like.
• Books contain surprises and may be best presented as a type of ‘theatre show’ in which you use your voice to create suspense and surprise as you introduce the novelties.
• Books need representation over several sessions so that children know the story language before the books are made available for individual or group book browsing. (Issue 10)

In teaching English to VYLs and YLs adults are working with the developing child, who is still discovering and making sense of his own inner world and the world around. This child has already picked-up one language with which he talks about his two worlds. English for him is only another language to be picked-up and used for communicating about these two worlds. Adults can contribute to children’s development and at the same time help them pick-up relevant English, through enjoying some of the conventional REALpictureBOOKS, which are part of English children’s culture. Since 3D Novelty picture Books are now accepted as part of English children’s culture, Novelty Books should also have a place in children’s EFL experiences. Children learning English should also have a chance to read and enjoy the fun of 3D Novelty Books in English.

Further Reading

The Wonderful World of Pop-up Books Sarah Harrington Children’s Book News Spring 2002

Pop—ups! A Guide to Novelty Books BookTrust Publication 2002

Popping up all over: New Movable Books Books for Keeps No.135 July 2002

Reading Contemporary Picture Books Author David Lewis Routeledge-Falmer ISBN 0-415-20887-4

Opal Dunn

Book Selection

13 NOVELTY BOOKS

for different ages (front cover)

A Turtle in the Toilet

Author Jonathan Emmett Illus: Caroline Jayne Church Level 1a

Hodder Children’s Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-340-85458-8 £7.99

www.madaboutbooks.com

Have you ever thought what might happen if you had a household full of WILD animals. Well have fun with this pop-up book -it may be your answer! Full of useful phrases this is a great way to learn some prepositions and names of everyday household furniture. A hide-and-seek story: some one with big feet is hiding in your home. Whose big feet are these?

There’s A dolphin in the dishwasher, a bear in the deep-freeze, a penguin in the kitchen bin, a turtle in the toilet bow, but guess who’s hiding HERE?

The 3D needs careful presentation if children are to pick-up the simple text before they play with the book in groups or by themselves. Remind them that the paper sculptures are a little fragile so they need careful handling. An exciting read likely to spark-off different forms of creativity.

Hen goes to Market Author – Illustrator Mark Birchall Level 1a

Anderson Press Novelty/Hardback ISBN 1-84270-009-X £8.99

www.andersonpress.co.uk

Lift the flap and pull the tabs and help Hen on her way to market. This sturdy Novelty Book makes the reader play an important role in the story by asking the reader to guess which of two things the Hen buys.

Hen is going to market with her shopping list to make sure she doesn’t forget something, which alas she does!

Let’s see … Do I want apples or bananas?

The reader is asked to find out what she wanted by pulling the tab, which results in the purchase being added to Hen’s basket. The illustrations of the various market stalls are clear and detailed and the additional flaps to be lifted add humour, showing for example mice eating up all the bread and birds drinking the milk from the carton. The repetitive language is useful and can easily be transferred to other situations. A good book for which children can pick-up some useful language for making choices and going to the shops.

Ten Fingers Author Ken Wilson-Max Illustrator Manya Stojic Level 1a

David Bennett Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 1-85602-425-3 £4.99

An interesting lift-the-flap counting book presenting numbers up to 10 in practical everyday ways.

Two brothers winking ---- Lift-up the flaps over one of each of their eyes

… and their sister makes three… Lift-up the bear mask their sister is wearing to reveal her face.

Eight little ducks ……. Plus mum makes nine. Lift up nine flaps either in the water or beside it to reveal the ducklings and Mum.

Ten fingers waving bye-bye!….. Lift-up ten individual fingers each with a numeral to count written on the reverse side.

The bright lively illustrations, with close-ups of children’s faces, makes this a good book to use with beginners as soon as they can count to 10. Once YL’s know the text, transfer it to make a fun action rhyme.

The Most Amazing Hide and Seek Numbers Book

Author-Illustrator Robert Crowther Level 1a

Walker Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-7445-6471-X £12.99

As the title suggests this is a Pop-up, Pull the tabs, Lift- the-flaps book that is great fun for older learners especially as it goes from 1 to 100. The numbers are depicted both in letters and numerals, but once you reach twenty, only tens are depicted up to 100. How about counting twenty snakes, seventy greenflies, ninety fleas and watch out for the one flea that is hopping away. There are surprises hidden all over the place! Under each novelty creatures to count are arranged in attractive scenes like one spider dangling on a thread from his web. An amazing book that is full of stimulating and creative ideas, which will motivate some children to draw and most to enjoy these numbers!

Let’s Go Driving Author-Illus: Gus Clarke Level 1a`

Walker Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-7445-8440-9 £7.99

Get in your car Pull the tabs and off we go!

Turn to the back cover and follow your journey on the map from home to the seaside. Through the 3D in this book you can simulate driving down to the seaside. Although the car may not be your ‘dream model’ it goes and you can drive it just like an adult!

Start the engine, check the indicators and off we go! Turn right here.

We need some petrol. Fill it up.

Hold on tight. It’s a bit b-b-bumpy.

Oh no! A puncture! We can change the wheel.

And so the journey continues until we’re there!

What an exciting experience to drive your own car; possibly something many children have longed to do. Full of useful language on which to build, as most children have car or bicycle experiences about which they will enjoy talking about. Children, and especially boys, will love playing with the various tabs and the physical involvement may result in them making their own car or bicycle books or maps.

Pizza! Author – Illustrator Jan Pienkowski Level 1a

Walker Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-7445-8492-3 £9.99

A yummy pop-up book with 6 spreads of paper sculptures, Tabs-to-pull, Flaps-to-lift and Wheels to turn.

The King is coming to tea. Let’s make a pizza.

The King is coming to tea. What do you think he likes…….. Turn the wheel and see.

The King is here!

In with the pizza. Shut the oven. Set the timer. Open the front door - all these activities you can do as the novelties bring the picture alive by providing an oven, a timer etc.

Crunch the King eats the pizza!

But Help! The King is still hungry.

Kids love this fantastic interactive story, as the text is short and easy-to-pick-up. However, the paper sculptures are rather fragile!

Jazzy in the Jungle Author-Illustrator Lucy Cousins Level 1a

Walker Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-774-9250-X £12.99

A book that makes you feel the vastness and density of the jungle through clever use of cut out pages, holes to give depth of vista and rich deep colours. This is the sort of jungle that is ideal for animals wanting to play hide-and-seek and this is what Mama JoJo and Baby Jazzy, the lemur did. Baby Jazzy hides away very successfully and all the jungle animals help Mama JoJo seek everywhere for her.

Mama JoJo looks by the fliff fluff flowers. Where are you, Baby Jazzy?

Not here, says Big Red Bird. Not here, says Dragonfly. Not here, says Baboon.

Oh Baby Jazzy, will I ever find you?

Fold out the last two pages to find out the answer. If you already know Lucy Cousins’s art work in her Maisy books, this is a different and exciting new experience. It may inspire further reading about wild life habits and rainforests in non-fiction REALpictureBOOKS. (See Lion page 11)

Shark in the Park Author/Illustrator Nick Sharratt Level 1a

David Fickling Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-385-60469-6 £10.99

Is there really a shark in the park? Go on, be brave, open the book and see!

Timothy Pope, Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope. Look through the hole of the telescope and this is what he sees. What a nasty surprise. There’s a shark in the park he thinks!

But it turns out to be another animal who is friendly and all is well.

So Timothy Pope looks again through his telescope and again he thinks he sees a shark.

The journey through the park continues with other surprises, but, in the end, Timothy Pope declares It’s safe to say there are no sharks in the park today

But what is the black thing in the pond the ducks are quacking about? Nick Sharratt’s drawings add humour to his easy-to-pick up rhyming text. Before you begin the story look carefully at the drawings of the shark on the inside covers as unless you know about a shark and it’s fins you will have difficulty in understanding the story! As children will soon know the text by heart, let them act it out in small groups with a few props taking it in turns to be Timothy with his telescope.

Harry goes to bed Author-Illustrator Lydia Monks Level 1a

Campbell Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-353-94887-4 £6.99

One of the Funny Bunch Book series about 4 animal friends, this book uses the inside covers to make 7 spreads of fun illustrations with different shapes Flaps-to-lift. Harry invites the other 3 in the Funny Bunch group to come to stay the night. However, getting ready for bed is not so simple, as one by one the Funny Bunch get lost as they play a type of Hide and Seek.

Let’s put on our pyjamas on before we go to bed! But where’s Tess? Open the cupboard door and there’s Tess saying I don’t want to go to bed yet! Oh, let’s have some milk and then it’s bedtime!

But where’s Lily? Lift-up-the-flap and there’s Lily hiding under the table saying I don’t want to go to bed yet!

The game progresses until all of them are lost; they are found in the bath saying We don’t want to go to bed yet!

Finally they solve the problem. OK, we’ll read a story – but then it’s definitely bedtime! And it was! A familiar bedtime conversation, the text comprises of many easy-to-pick-up, useful phrases.

Good night Author-Illustrator Jan Pienkowski Level 1a

Walker Books Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-7445-8142-7 £7.99

Another bedtime book, described as a pop-up lullaby, which older children will love. The repetitive rhyming language makes the text easy-to-pick-up and read for beginners. Paper sculptures and many other devices on 6 spreads make the illustrations scary and fun.

I cannot go to bed because there are bears under the stairs and a cuckoo in the clock…..

I cannot go to bed because there is a boa in the bathroom lift-the-flap and there he is curled up in the toilet! There’s a bison in the basin and then pull the tab an owl under my towel.

I cannot go to bed because there’s a skunk on my bunk, a gnu in my shoe, an armadillo in my pillow and ants in my pants. ……And none of them want to go to bed.

But that’s not true

Oh, yes we do! And there’s room for you, too! Imagine getting into bed with all these animals.

The last spread gives you an idea of what it’s like in the dark bedroom with everyone in one bed. Pull-the-tab and see their scary eyes! Watch out for the line of ants that were in the pants.

The 3D paper sculptures bring the fun illustrations alive. Going to bed will never be quite the same again after reading this story! Good value as this book provides children with a memorable, portable 3D game experience that they will play over and over again!

Monster, Monster? Author-Illustrator Melanie Walsh Level 1a

Walker Novelty/Hardback ISBN 0-7445-8104-4 £7.99

Come and play the monster game. Who’s the monster? Lift-Down-the flap and find out.

Not me. I’m a pirate and. Not me. I’m a nurse.

Different people are hiding behind masks until you find a cat with green eyes Are you the monster?

But the cat is not the real monster. The hungry monster is hiding on the back page.

An easy-to- play version of the Hide-and-Seek game which can be used from the first sessions with young beginners. The simplicity of the drawings make this a book that children like to copy making their own editions for playing their version of Hide-and-Seek.

Peekaboo Baby! Author Mandy Ross Illustrator Kate Merritt Level 1a

Ladybird Books Novelty/Board Book ISBN 0-7214-2369-8 £4.99

www.ladybird.co.uk

An attractive 5 spread book with easy-to-pick-up rhyming text with matching flap ups and down, which young beginners and their parents will enjoy. The flaps on 4 spreads hide away a face making the simple game of hide and seek called Peekaboo. Who is hiding behind the flaps?

The flaps include a girl’s teddy, a boy’s red balloon, a girl’s curly blonde hair and a girl’s stylish hat. The flap on the final spread is a cupboard door that opens to reveal a paper mirror.

Hello! Who is hiding behind her teddy? One, two, three – Are you ready? Peekaboo!

WOW! A big bright red balloon. And who’s behind it? You’ll find out soon! Peekaboo!

Open the cupboard door! Here’s a face You’ve seen before! Peekaboo! It’s you!

Before introducing the book play Peekaboo with a very stylish hat or a teddy so children are familiar with the vocabulary. After several readings children will be ready to join in with the word Peekaboo and other phrases soon follow. A fun book to share at home or at school.

Guess What I have? Author-Illustrator Ana Martin-Larranaga Level 1a

Treehouse Children’s Books Novelty/Paperback ISBN 1-85576-330-3 £3.99

A simple Flip-the-Flap Rhyme Book excellent for a first experience with Novelty Books for young beginners. Half pages flip back to reveal the answers to Guess what I am hiding! (It rhymes with cat).

It’s a hat. The rhyming clues help children to develop some sensitivity to the sounds of English whilst playing a game. This leads on to playing the game I spy. I spy something beginning with c… that rhymes with boat. The illustrations are clear and lively and easy for children to copy.

10 BOOKS for different ages (back cover)

Five little Fiends Author - Illus Sarah Dyer Level 2

Bloomsbury Children’s Books Paperback ISBN 0-7475-5949-X £4.99

Winner of the Smarties Bronze Medal in UK, this uniquely touching book has a definite message about greed and sharing. Although the text is minimal, the use of language – constructions and vocabulary, make it more to difficult to access for young beginners. However, with older children it may be appropriate to use it a little earlier than the grading Level 2 suggests.

On a faraway plain stood five lonely statues. Inside each statue lived a little fiend (monster).

One day they each decided to take the one thing they liked best.

One took the sun, one took the land……... But soon they realised that the sun could not stay up without the sky and the land started to die without water from the sea ………

So they decided to put every thing back. And once again marvel at their surroundings.

A unique picture book with striking illustrations and a story which cannot fail to stimulate thought and lead to cross-curricular discussion. To help better understanding of this ecological message, children might enjoy dramatising the story in a simple production. This is a ‘modern parable’ by a new Author-Illustrator, which will is likely to become a classic.

Five little Fiends has been translated into Danish, French, German and Japanese. You might like to try using the translation in your home-language and compare it with the English.

Bear in Sunshine Author Stella Blackstone Illus: Debbie Harter Level1a Barefoot Books Paperback ISBN 1-84148-322-2 £4.99

www.barefootbooks.com

Another adventure with Bear to follow on Bear at Home (Issue 10). Bear enjoys himself in all kinds of weather.

Bear likes to sing in the rain

When it’s icy, he skates in the lane.

When storms come, he hides in his bed.

When the moon shines, he stands on his head.

Each change of weather is accompanied by an activity, which helps understanding and learning. The final spread shows Bear in the 4 different seasons.

What ever the weather, come snow, rain or sun, Bear always knows how to have lots of fun.

Clear bold illustrations make this a fun introduction to talking about the seasons and weather. It might also be helpful if you are doing a weather project.

Cleo on the Move Author Stella Blackstone Illus: Caroline Monkford Level 1b

Cleo in the snow Author Stella Blackstone Illus: Caroline Monkford

Barefoot Hardback ISBN 1-84148-439-3 £4.99p

www.barefoot-books.com

Many children like to make collections of books about the same character. They enjoy comparing and contrasting the stories and like the feel of getting to know a character well. Caroline Monkford has now illustrated 5 books about Cleo, the cat which, all in easy-to–remember rhyming text, make an attractive series for Book Corners and children’s own private collections. A follow on to Cleo the Cat (Issue 8) Come Here Cleo (Issue 10) Cleo and Caspar (Issue 11) Cleo on the Move re-uses some of the simple phrases from the previous stories to tell how Cleo, together with her friend Caspar, react to moving house. What’s happening today?

There are boxes everywhere. Cleo don’t go there! We’re moving to another house .We’ll soon be there …….. now you can run and play!

Many children may have their own moving house story, which will add to Cleo experiences. Certainly the story will lead to many interesting discussions about the importance of home.

The bold black outlined drawings with expressive facial body language are easy to decode and many children enjoy copying them.

Cleo in the Snow is the fifth in the series. Books about snow falling are attractive to children and more difficult to find as some artists find difficulty in using white colour effectively.

Cleo goes outside. Cleo stops to stare.

The garden is all white and cold, with snowflakes everywhere.

Cleo goes for a ride on the sledge ‘Oh help, Oh no! We’re going to crash! And they did!

This wonderful Cleo series is to be shortly available in Board Books, which tends to be more durable. It is a good idea to make your own audio-cassette recording of the five books; children will love listening to them whilst following in the books.

No More Kissing! Author-Illus Emma Chichester Clark Level 2

Collins Paperback ISBN 0-00-713105-4 £4.50

What was your reaction to being kissed by an uncle with a tickly beard when you were a child? Although kissing culture differs from society to society, and family to family, most young children feel the same as Momo, the young monkey.

Why does there have to be so much kissing? It goes on everywhere, all over the place, especially mummies kissing babies. NO MORE KISSING!

The delightfully illustrated saga of a monkey family’s tree-top jungle life shows us that

My family do it too, all the time. They kiss Hello, then kiss Goodbye

They kiss Good Morning. They kiss Good Night.

I’ve told all my family – my mum, my dad, my grandma, all my cousins, my uncle and my aunts … NO MORE KISSING!

But when our new baby came. He screamed his head off. The more they kissed him, the more he screamed. Until STOP, Momo shouted.

The surprised family suggested if that was the case, Momo might like to hold the baby and try to calm it. Momo tried many things, but with no success until finally something quietened him. A KISS!

By the end of this amusingly tender story you feel you know Momo’s extended family quite well. In fact some children have been inspired to make their own family tree starting from Me and my mum and my dad. Reactions to this story might reveal a lot about different children’s feelings. Some may even agree with Momo I wish no one had invented kissing. This book was short listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal in UK.

Mimi’s Book of Opposites Author-Illus: Emma Chichester Clark Level 1a

Anderson Press Board Book ISBN1-84270-063-4 £5.99

www.andersonpress.co.uk

Mimi is Momo the monkey’s little sister. This book is one of The Mimi Book series. Through a story and the amusing illustrations, opposites are clear and easy to pick-up. The story takes us through a day in Mimi’s life. Opposites are in larger print, encouraging the reader to stress the individual words.

My baby brother is small and I am big. When we come we say Hello. When we go we wave goodbye. Sometimes we are wet. Sometimes we are dry.

Finally Mimi is put to bed and although he shuts his eyes, he isn’t ready to go to sleep! A story full of useful phrases. Children soon join in enjoying saying the opposites themselves.