Kids Book Club – September 2012

Confidentials 5 September 2012

0-5 years

Otto the Book Bear

Katie Cleminson

£5.99

9781780080031

We all know about the benefits of getting little readers into books. This takes a rather novel approach to the cause. Otto the bear is quite literally into books, because he stars in one himself, and he loves nothing more than his story being read. So when, one day, Otto's book gets left behind by his owner, he makes it his mission to get out, get found and get read. The outside world can be a cold, unwelcoming place, though. What Otto really needs is somewhere warm, full of books and eager young readers. Wherever could he go? Cleminson's a neat storyteller and a clear, distinctive illustrator. Otto himself is suitably adorable. You couldn't ask for a brighter, more glorious celebration of books and reading – and quietly topical in its way, too.

5-9 years

Just Imagine

Pippa Goodhart / Nick Sharratt

9780857530110

￡10.99

Let's be honest, interactive books don't always work. But one that does, by sheer strength of simplicity, is You Choose! by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt. On each double-page spread Goodhart's text poses a question – 'What would you like to eat?', 'What would you like to wear?' and so forth - while Sharratt's unmistakable illustrations offer a whole range of possible answers. First published in 2003, it's become a firm favourite, and this follow-up is much awaited. The formula remains absolutely intact, as you'd expect, though it's skewed perhaps slightly older. This time out readers get to choose what size they'd like to be, or which time period they'd live in; what form they'd take in the sea, or underground. It's all good imagination-building stuff, but almost endlessly adaptable. It's got longevity built in, too: it could remain on a child's bookshelf for years, whether they're early readers or fully fluent. A brilliantly conceived, perfectly formed little gem.

9-12 years

The Abominables

Eva Ibbotson

£10.99

9781407132976

This book comes as something of a surprise, not least because Ibbotson herself died two years ago. It was discovered by her family amongst her papers as an unfinished manuscript. But this isn't a mere afterthought: it's up there with her best work (Journey to the River Sea, The Star of Kazan) and it's already been richly commended. You wouldn't know it from her name, but Lady Agatha Farlingham is actually a young girl, and very at odds with her aristocratic upbringing. During a stay in the Himalayas she's abducted by a secret colony of yeti, who turn out to be thoroughly decent sorts. In fact Agatha lives happily with them in their extinct volcano home, as teacher and friend, until she's frail and old. But when their security's threatened, she ships the assembled yeti back to her English family pile, but the journey is riddled with hazards, as indeed is their destination. But despite her advanced years, Agatha is quite determined to protect her large furry charges, whatever it takes. The end result's a wild vividly-drawn adventure boasting instantly memorable characters and a gentle, unobtrusive pro-nature message, a fitting coda to Ibbotson's career.