Books for Children

LITLE NELLIE’S BIG BOOK, by Pippa Goodheart, illustrated by Andy Rowland, (Bloomsbury, €7.10).

When Little Ellie Elephant picks up a book about mice, she discovers she has all the features — grey colour, skinny tail, big ears — therefore she must be a mouse. She settles in with a family of bemused mice. Trust Granny Mouse to find the happy solution to Little Ellie’s identity problem. A charming, funny, read-aloud for age 3+.

LULU READS TO ZEKI, by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw (Alanna Books €14.92 HB). Lulu loves reading, so when her new brother is born, she gives him a soft book. When he cries, and he does a lot, she tells him a story. At bedtime, her parents reward the ‘best big sister of all.’ Perfect for when a new sibling arrives.

NOAH’S ARK, by Annie Dalton, illustrated by Laura Clark and Chris Stoddart (A&C Black €10.66 HB). The people in the city sneer and mock the eccentric old man who is building a big boat, but a small boy, horrified by the evil that has taken over the city, wants to help him.

Thus he’s embraced into the family of Noah. The ingenious introduction of a young outsider into the biblical story is an inspired touch that will engage young readers aged 6+.

A boat journey also features in THE STORY OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE, by Hugh Lofting (€11.93 HB), published in the Random House Classics to Treasure series.

Beautifully presented and a comfortable size for small hands to hold. In the town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh lives Doctor Doolittle, whose love for animals is obvious by the large number of them in his house — he learns to converse with them.

When he discovers that the monkeys in Africa are dying from a rare disease, he resolves to go and help.

With the loan of a boat by a friendly sailor, he sets sail with his animal friends. Their adventures, and misadventures, are laugh-aloud, exciting and skilfully written. Endearing, humorous read for ages 8-12.