The Selfish Crocodile Book of Words by Faustin Charles, illustrations by Michael Terry (From Worcester News)

The Selfish Crocodile Book of Words by Faustin Charles, illustrations by Michael Terry

3:53pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in Books By John Phillpott

The Selfish Crocodile Book of Words by Faustin Charles with illustrations by Michael Terry (Bloomsbury, £4.99).

 

IT seems like only yesterday that I was reviewing children’s books with my own offspring in mind.

Well, history certainly has a habit of repeating itself. So here I am again after all these years… only this time it’s a case of singing the praises of a neat little work that will undoubtedly end up being one of my grandson Alfie’s firm favourites.

There’s a whole host of animals running, jumping, swimming and flying across these pages. They serve as a perfect introduction to the basic shapes of familiar creatures that will increasingly figure in the expanding sensory world of the very young.

But there’s more. For the authors also present crisp, uncluttered representations of images that the older baby will already be noticing… clouds, leaves, flowers and trees.

Grass even – yes, we must have all wondered what that ubiquitous green stuff was at some early stage.

And just to make sure the grown-ups have also been paying attention, there is a ‘what can you see?’ section at the end of the book that serves as a simple test on what has gone before.

The Selfish Crocodile Book of Words is indeed a welcome addition to baby’s growing library and should be snapped up without delay.

Review by John Phillpott