Book review: Hold onto your bonnets, it’s Easter at Little Tiger Press

The independent children’s publisher, which has four imprints under one roof and always seeks out the best talent in illustration and writing, has a wonderful parade of reads from a bunny on an egg hunt and a naughty hippo to a cuddly kitten without a home and a lively retelling of classic fairy stories.

Babies and toddlers:

Egg: An Egg-Citing Easter Eggs-Capade! Written by Jonathan Litton and illustrated by Fhiona Galloway

A little bunny makes some amazing Easter discoveries in this enchanting rhyming picture story.

Featuring intriguing finger-hole cut-outs to let little ones have a hand in the action, the new book in the entertaining and entertaining My Little World series features fun, smiles and adventures on every page.

Bunny and her animal friends are setting off on a springtime egg hunt and there are spotty, dotty, woolly, chirpy treats hiding around all corners of the meadow.

Bright artwork, egg-shaped cut-outs and a warm and winsome story make learning come alive in this beautifully packaged and sturdy little book.

(Little Tiger, hardback, £5.99)

Age 2 plus:

Little Snappers: Cheep Cheep Pop-Up Fun Written by Jonathan Litton and illustrated by Kasia Nowowiejska

Pre-schoolers will be all of aflutter when they get their hands on this brilliant Easter-themed book which packs a surprise on every page.

Laughter and fun are guaranteed as youngsters lift the giant flaps to find a colourful selection of quirky farm animals popping out to say hello.

This robust pop-up flap book, with its clever rhyming text and cast of funny farmyard characters, is simply bursting with delightful detail and the longed-for joys of springtime.

(Caterpillar Books, hardback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus:

The First Slodge Written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Picture book characters come in all shapes and sizes… but there has never before been a slimy, green Slodge.

In fact the star of this whimsical, wonderful little story thought she was the only one of her kind… until a second Slodge stole not just her thunder but her moon and stars, and her fruit and flowers. Will the two Slodges ever learn to get along?

Welcome to a funny and original tale from Jeanne Willis, an internationally acclaimed and prize-winning author who has written over 250 books for children of all ages.

Beautifully illustrated by Jenni Desmond, who uses collage, paint and pencil crayons to create her artwork and then scans and edits by computer, The First Slodge, is bursting with colour and fun, as well as showing how the world belongs to everyone.

A lesson in sharing that was just made for sharing…

(Little Tiger, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus:

Hippobottymus Written by Steve Smallman and illustrated by Ada Grey

Well blow me down, if it isn’t a ‘cheeky’ hippopotamus!

This madcap jungle adventure is sure to put wind in the sails of all fun-loving youngsters who like their picture books to have a ‘parp’ in the tail.

Packed with laughs, rhymes and rude noises, Steve Smallman’s Hippobottymus gives little ones the chance to join in the merriment as the animals make music – and mischief – with their own brand of jungle jazz.

As a mouse sits down by a bubbling creek, the creek bubbles and the mouse squeaks. Soon all the animals are making their own brand of music to the sound of the bubbling creek. But what is that cheeky hippo getting up to?

Steve Smallman provides the tip-tapping rhymes and Ada Grey puts the charismatic animal cast firmly and colourfully in the picture as Hippobottymus delivers his laugh-out-loud, wind-propelled surprise.

Prepare to be blown away…

(Little Tiger, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus:

The Gingerbread Man Written by Mara Alperin and illustrated by Miriam Latimer

No childhood is complete without the well-loved fairy stories that teach life lessons in the most memorable and entertaining way.

Little Tiger Press’s My First Fairytales offer a magical introduction to these classic fables with fresh and fun illustrations and a simple retelling that will appeal to young and old alike. From a selection of authors and illustrators, the wonderfully witty texts add a marvellously modern flavour to these timeless tales.

In The Gingerbread Man, we find the cheeky star having a biscuit barrel of fun. He scurries away from Mr and Mrs Baker and all the hungry animals, but then he meets a crafty fox. Will the gingerbread man meet a sticky end?

And in The Three Little Pigs, written by Mara Alperin and illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, the pigs set off to build new homes for themselves. But someone big and bad soon comes looking for a tasty piggy snack. Can the pigs outwit the wicked wolf?

Beautifully adapted for pre-school children, and bursting with fun, colour and action, these books are a thrilling way to enter the fabulous world of fairytales.

(Little Tiger, paperback, £6.99 each)

Age 6 plus:

The Secret Kitten Written by Holly Webb and illustrated by Sophy Williams

Animals are what favourite children’s author Holly Webb does best, so cuddle up with the 30th book in her hugely popular Animal Stories series.

In this brand new tale, Lucy can’t help but feel lonely when she and her brother move in with their grandmother, leaving behind their old school and friends. Lucy wishes she could have a pet, but Gran isn’t keen on animals. A black and white stray kitten catches Lucy’s attention and she instantly falls in love with it. But Lucy is upset when she reads in a magazine that the kitten’s colour will make it difficult to rehome. Lucy is too young to look after the kitten herself so where will the poor animal go if she can’t find anyone to taker her in?

With its gorgeous black and white illustrations and a story to melt every animal-loving child’s heart, this is the perfect choice for children starting to read alone or for youngsters who love to share a book with mum and dad.

And to celebrate Holly Webb’s landmark publication, Stripes are launching a free-to-join fan club and releasing a new Animal Stories app which includes over 20 activities and games and gives users the opportunity to create their own pet avatar. Visit www.holly-webb.com for further information.

(Stripes, paperback, £4.99)