Orchards Books | My Mills Baby

I love my monthly mailers from Hachette Books. They work with some of the most acclaimed children’s writers of our time so we always know we’re going to get something truly great for Dexter’s bedtime story hour.

Oi Frog! is no exception. This is bought to you by a tour de force in children’s literature. Kes Gray, author of the award-winning Get Well Soon and the Nelly the Monster Sitter series’, has been listed as a top 10 UK children’s author by The Independent, pipped JK Rowling to a Red House Children’s Book Award in 2001 and has since become a three times category award winner. Oi Frog! is complemented perfectly by fabulous illustrations from Jim Field who has a Roald Dahl Funny Prize in his trophy cabinet.

To summarise the plot, it’s about a frog trying to find somewhere to sit. An obnoxious cat informs him that lazying on a log is the ‘done thing’ by frogs, then proceeds to list other animals and their special places to sit. As you might expect, there are some pretty wacky couplings to get some giggles out of your little one.

“What do foxes sit on?” asked the frog.

“Foxes sit on boxes,” said the cat.

“Foxes sit on boxes and fleas sit on peas“

The rhyming tale has been described as “absolute treat” by the Daily Mail, and the Guardian proclaim it’s “Hilarious… Everyone will love it”.

The font is big enough for little people to follow and rhyming words are bold for both spoken emphasis and to allow for young readers to learn by recognition. Illustrations cover the entire page and are colourful, fun and engaging to ensure a captive audience.

There’s nothing I don’t like about this book, and nothing that Dexter doesn’t either. Perfect for children aged 2-6, it’s definitely one that will be living high on the shelf so he can’t rip it up when he’s having a paddy. Sensibly priced at £6.99 it’s available to buy from Hachette Books HERE (Published by Hodder Children’s Books / ISBN: 9781444910865).

Next up is an altogether different proposition. In fact, all these books share is the same coloured front cover. I’d be inclined to say It’s Mine! is best suited to a younger audience (perhaps 1-4 years) so an ideal bedtime story to be read aloud by mum and dad.

Plot-wise Jerome Keane’s book is a morality tale about sharing, featuring a squabbling fox and horse who are both as stubborn as one another. When a ball lands nearby they are so busy arguing about who gets to play with it first, it’s stolen from under their noses.

The best thing by far about this book is the illustrations. With bold colours there’s a great deal for little people to spot within the background, including the ball thief who sneaks up on the bickering pair. Susana de Dios has managed to squeeze lots of personality into her fox and horse and I’m a big fan of her work.

As most of the text is conversation between the pair, there’s plenty of opportunity to add in silly voices to elicit some laughter, and lots of repetition to encourage your mini reader to join in with the narration. Again, priced at £6.99 it would make a lovely gift for deserving little person. You can buy yours HERE (Published by Orchard Books / ISBN: 9781408331378).