THE Train Driver

THE Train Driver, by Kunak McGann (O’Brien; €7.55), is the story of a small boy who loves trains.

When his uncle, Joe, gives him a present of a toy steam train, Dara is thrilled. He even takes it to bed. When Mum and Dad go away, uncle Joe consoles the boy by taking him for a trip on a real steam train run by his friend, Ollie. With easy text and colourful illustrations by Greg Massardier.

The Icky Sticky Snot and Blood Book, by Steve Alton, Nick Sharratt and Jo Moore (The Bodley Head; €16.40) is, despite its unpalatable title, an excellent book about the body. The graphic information is cushioned with humorous cartoons, flaps, pop-ups and pulleys as we discover how the body functions.

For wet days in caravan, holiday home or hotel, Totally Jacqueline Wilson (Corgi; €10.10) is the perfect antidote to the grey-cloud grumps. A colourful collection of stories, puzzles, family quizzes and games, and jokes this is the one to have in the emergency holiday pack. All illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

The Mummy’s Tomb (David Fickling Books; €6.30) is the latest in the Charlie Small series of adventures of an eight-year-old boy. Charlie is kidnapped by the foppish Tristram Twitch, who is engaged to Aveline, daughter of the extremely wealthy Lord Larouche. Not easily won over, Aveline sets lover boy the task of fetching three priceless presents for her – including a diamond tiara from the head of a mummified princess. Tristram passes the request on to Charlie, who can’t refuse because his cherished inventor friend, Jakeman, is imprisoned in a cage over a barracuda tank. If Charlie fails to bring the gifts within four days, the barracuda gets Jakeman.

Thus begins a flight into danger with the help of Jakeman’s granddaughter, Philly. Ingeniously plugged into the mindset of boys (eight-plus), this has the right blend of humour and adventure.