Children's Books 14-12-06

Tony Hickey's pick of children's books

The penguin seems to be having its 15 minutes of fame. Its surge in popularity began with last year's award-winning documentary March of the Penguins and was strengthened with the recent release of the animated film Happy Feet, which not only offers song-and-dance routines but also draws attention to the dangers of global warming. Now, you can even get an stuffed toy penguin free with your (hopefully environmentally-friendly) detergent. It seems an appropriate time to draw attention to Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, an ideal present for young children. Suitably acclaimed earlier this year at the Bisto Book of the Year awards, Lost and Found delivers exactly what it says on the cover. A boy finds a lost penguin on his doorstep and together they set out on a journey to return the penguin to its rightful place. The narrative is simple, direct and full of emotion. The most attractive thing about the book is its sumptuous illustrations, especially those of the Antarctic ocean with its bleakness of icebergs and strangeness of sky; they will enchant and stimulate the reader. A book to be treasured for years, and one which provides an ideal bonding opportunity. Maybe you should buy two copies – one for the children to read and one for you to keep in pristine condition.