Children’s books

NO, Baby, No!, by Grace Nichols (Bloomsbury; €8.35) is the story of a baby’s frustration when his adventurousness is thwarted by his family.

Tearing up newspapers, climbing the shelves or heading for the dog’s dinner, ‘no, baby, no!’ rings in his ears. But when he’s fed up with the refrain and decides to try something big, the family cheers loudly. With beautiful illustrations by Eleanor Taylor; most entertaining for two- to three-year-olds.

Boris’s Big Bogey, by Paul Bright, illustrated by Hannah George (Little Tiger; €7.10), is a disgusting book that will delight small boys! Told in jaunty, witty rhyme, it tells of a young pirate whose nose-picking habit throws the ship off course to land at Bogey Island. A younger version of Dirty Bertie, Pirate Paul will draw fans age five and upward.

The Hut that Grew, by Annie Dalton (A&C Black; €5.92) is the wholesome tale of a small African Princess coping with her father’s loss of fortune. Banished from their palace, the family lives in a mud hut. The princess meets a wise old man who directs her towards restoring the family dignity and happiness. She follows his directions, but things get worse. There is a happy ending, but not in fairytale style. A satisfying story for newly independent readers.

The Taming of Lilah May (Frances Lincoln; €8.35) features a jazzy cover and up-beat, intimate narrative which draws the reader into the world of 15-year-old Lilah May. She is a troubled girl and her beloved brother, Jay, is the cause. She teases us with shadowy references to Jay and blames herself for something that may have caused a rift. Her offbeat parents — Mum a performing clown for kiddies’ birthday parties, ex-army Dad the big cat keeper at the local zoo — try to understand Lilah’s escalating anger. Her good friend Bindi is her constant rock. Emotional, endearing, complex and very funny, the story teases the reader right up to the surprising, reflective last page. Suitable for ages 14 and upwards.