Book review: Reading is rocking and rolling with Little Tiger Press

Picture books don’t come bigger, bolder and more appealing than the sunshine sparklers from this dynamic and creatively led independent children’s publisher with a unique style and distinctive voice.

Little Tiger Press combines excellent quality with affordable prices and blends humour, drama and imagination to educate and inspire young readers.

The current crop of delightfully different and sturdy books is the launch pad for their innovative Reading Rocks! campaign which gathers together the very best of a stable of top class authors and illustrators.

From an inquisitive little rhino to a raccoon searching for his talent, there are charismatic characters and stimulating stories to ignite children’s imaginations and make their summer reading rock.

As part of the campaign, fun games and activities based around the picture books can be downloaded from a dedicated website: www.littletigerreadingrocks.com. The site also includes videos of the authors reading their books, making them perfect for sharing.

All age 3 plus:

Why? by Tracey Corderoy and Tim Warnes

Why? It must be a child’s most frequently asked question… so what better than this seductive story about Archie, a little rhino who just can’t stop looking for answers?

Archie is the lovable brainchild of popular children’s author Tracey Corderoy who has teamed up with award-winning illustrator Tim Warnes on this charming and fun-filled picture book.

Archie wants to know everything. ‘Why is mud so sticky, why does toast make crumbs, why do dropped things go smash?’ And if only finding out wasn’t so messy... perhaps a trip to the museum might answer some of his questions and keep him out of trouble. Of course, things don’t turn out quite as mum and dad had planned…

Anarchic Archie’s adventures are instantly recognisable to every curious child and every (occasionally exasperated!) parent. Written with warmth, affection and insight, and brought to glorious life with Tim Warnes’ lively, lovely illustrations, Archie’s antics are set to be a firm favourite with all the family.

(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Abigail by Catherine Rayner

You can count on Kate Greenaway medal winner Catherine Rayner to come up with a funny and quirky way to teach little ones their numbers.

The talented author and illustrator is on top form as she whisks us away to Africa where we find Abigail the giraffe who just loves to count to ten. It’s her very favourite thing, but it’s a tall order finding things to count. When she tries counting Ladybird’s spots, Zebra’s stripes and Cheetah’s splotches, they just won’t sit still. It’s hopeless and night is falling! What will Abigail do?

This is a beautiful, heart-warming book, full of inventive illustrations and with a stunning fold-out page in which the enchanting Abigail reaches for the sky. Abigail’s colourful counting game is ideal as a first numbers lesson for toddlers, and the perfect wind-down bedtime story book.

A book made for sharing laughs… and lessons.

(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Harry and the Monster by Sue Mongredien and Nick East

Every child has bad dreams sometimes… and allaying their fears can be a nightmare for mums and dads who long for a good night’s sleep.

If reassurances don’t work, prolific author Sue Mongredien’s funny and touching tale of Harry and his scary monster might just be the answer to the family’s bedtime prayers.

One night a hairy, purple monster stomps into little Harry’s dream and the next day he’s too scared to go to sleep. ‘If he comes back, just imagine him with a pair of pink pants on his head,’ suggests Mum. ‘You’ll laugh so much it won’t be scary.’

When Mum’s clever plan falls flat, dad comes up with something far more cunning… monsters are scared of cross mummies, he assures Harry, so imagine your mum telling him off and then he’ll be the scared one. Will the monster finally turn tail?

Warm, funny and with a special brand of outsize magic, Harry and the Monster is the perfect picture book for frightened youngsters worried about night time monsters or bad dreams. They’ll love the cheeky concept and Nick East’s brilliantly colourful illustrations.

Monstrously good!

(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £5.99)

Mighty Mo by Alison Brown

Everybody has a talent… even if it’s one that’s buried deep inside us. And every dog (or is that raccoon?) has its day.

Meet Mo, the energetic little raccoon, who is bored, bored, bored and needs to find a way to prove how amazing he really is. He’s the creative creation of the inventive author and illustrator Alison Brown and he’s on the trail of some much-needed glory.

At the Golden Dodo Zoo, Mo is determined to make his name shine. He’ll give anything a go but his talents don’t seem to lie in making ice-creams, blowing up balloons or being a hairdo hero. But when Big Ron the robber starts causing trouble, it’s up to Mighty Mo to save the day.

Pre-schoolers will love this unlikely hero whose naughty sense of adventure keeps the fun flowing and the funny bones tickled.

Bold, high-energy illustrations add to the laugh-out-loud entertainment and give Mighty Mo his rightful place as a true picture book hero.

(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)