TEY 13.2

OLU’S TEACHER (Walker Books, hardback, £12.99) Olu’s legs are shaking, and his tummy feels all wobbly; it’s his first day at nursery, and all the unknowns are making him very, very nervous. Most of all, he’s worried about meeting his teacher – after all, what do teachers look like? Where do they live? Do they breathe fire, like a dragon? Macaroni! Luckily, it turns out that Olu’s new teacher, Jay, is not only kind and creative, but he also knows how to play the guitar, tells great stories and just happens to look a bit like Olu. Perhaps nursery isn’t something to be scared of after all? This gentle, reassuring story from Jamel C. Campbell, beautifully illustrated by Lydia Mba, is perfect for sharing with new starters in your setting – as well as for recommending to parents before their child’s first day; there’s even a brilliant “note for grown-ups” from the author at the end, with thoughtful advice and practical tips to help everyone through what is often one of the first big transitions in a child’s life. DRAGONS LOVE UNDERPANTS (Simon and Schuster, paperback, £7.99) Following the sound advice, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” this is the eighth title in Claire Freeman and Ben Cort’s wildly popular series of books combining “characters kids adore” with “clothing that makes kids laugh”. Dragons and underpants – really, what’s not to love? Here’s the thing, though: while it’s easy to raise a slightly cynical eyebrow at the repetition of a successful formula to this extent, the truth is, Dragons Love Underpants really does feel as fresh as Aliens Love Underpants did, back in 2007, and that’s because Freedman never short- changes her readers when it comes to the actual story. Cort’s illustrations are full of hilarious detail, and the rhyming narrative is a joy to read aloud, as canny Princess Tilly comes up with a smart plan to stop a bunch of fire-breathing marauders harassing the kingdom and stealing villagers’ pants. So, whether you have all seven previous titles or none of them, this is well worth adding to the mix. RABBIT ON THE RAMPAGE (Walker Books, paperback, £7.99) Rabbit has a very special carrot. It’s curly and wurly, and she takes it everywhere, including swim club, where it stays in her coat (because, of course, it mustn’t get wet). It’s a system that works perfectly – until one terrible day, when Rabbit finishes swim club, only to find Carrot has disappeared! Following Swim Coach Manatee’s advice, Rabbit retraces her steps in search of a possible carrot- thief, accusing each of her best friends in turn of this heinous crime. But when she gets home, what does she find lurking underneath the hat she’s been wearing the whole time…? This funny, charming and slightly naughty story will have young listeners captivated, and the rich vocabulary and unusual – but strictly observed – rhyme scheme will be great for feeding into their speech and language development. Plus, of course, there’s a useful message about how varied and delicious vegetables are. What would your charges choose to put in a celebratory veggie soup? TheBookCorner GREAT TITLES TO SHARE WITH YOUR BUDDING READERS 52 Teachearlyyears.com