Children’s Books
Because “Elephant’s Bottoms are heavy and fat, and would certainly squash the seats quite flat.” Other wild creatures also seek to travel. Tiger likes the train, seal causes havoc when he drives a taxi, scaring the Queen and her corgi! Many more rhyming antics of wild creatures feature in this hilarious romp. Suitable for age four and upwards.
Tim All Alone, by Edward Ardizzone (Frances Lincoln; €12.99) This poignant story has continued to entertain children since its publication in 1957. Having been away for a long time, young Tim is thrilled to be going home to his parents. What a shock when he finds that the house is empty and his parents have gone away.
Thus begins his task to find them. But as he has no money he must find work. He eventually finds work at sea, but alas, not with the decent Captain and crew he had known and loved so well aboard The Amelia Jane. The timeless story will delight yet another generation of children. Suitable for age nine and upwards.
Five Children On The Western Front, by Kate Saunders (Faber & Faber €8.80) This is a sequel by Saunders to the Edith Nesbith classic Five Children which was published in 1902. It continues the story of the Pemberton children into the era of The Great War, faithfully reproducing the style and dialogue of the original. The main difference in this story, itself destined to be a classic, is the behaviour and outlook of the curmudgeonly sand-fairy known as the Psammead.
In Nesbith’s story the wishes he granted to the children would hold good til sundown — now his powers are much weaker as he is on a mission to repent for the many misdemeanours in his past existence. Any journeys made in his magical company are initiated by him — and often to the dismay of the children.
It is a charming, bitter-sweet story with a host of eccentric characters, and it does not shirk from dealing with the suffering and heartbreak of war. Suitable for age 12 and upwards.
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