Children’s books

One Thousand Things by Anna Koveceses

The preparatory section uses festive balloons and shapes to introduce the child to colours and counting. A further 20 pages concentrates on the world still being experienced by the child, naming items of clothing, food and toys, before ending with family members.

Step by step the book moves into the outside world from trains, mountains, fire engines to dinosaurs. A particular attraction will be the little mouse who, sometimes well hidden, appears on most pages.

The simple, flat-coloured spreads are easy on the eye, each page asking a simple question that prompts the young reader to explore and respond. Imaginative and fun, this delightful book will make the first trip to school easy. Age 3

The Disappearance Of Tom Pile by Ian Beck (Random House €8.80) Even as a child, Jack Carmody was special, excelling in problem solving and seemingly blessed with a sixth sense.

Little wonder that he became apprenticed to the equally gifted Captain Holloway.

Their specialist department is asked to investigate the rumours surrounding the appearance of strange lights near Litton Cheney which are spooking the locals, especially as World War Two is in full swing amid fears of a German invasion.

When Jack meets young Tom Pile, who, though professing to be a native of the village, seems thoroughly confused by what he sees as overnight changes both to people and buildings, his curiosity is aroused.

Jack’s research reveals Tom Pile had disappeared in 1900 on a bitterly cold night amid rumours that he had been snatched by angels or by something alien.

The story, complemented by newspaper accounts and file reports, charts Jack’s attempts under the suspicious eyes of the regular military, to solve the mystery of this lost soul.

The fear and sense of foreboding of wartime Britain is excellently captured in this extraordinary first mystery of the Casebooks of Captain Holloway. Age 9+