Giddy Up ¦ If I Were You

The first three or four of these books broke new ground with very simple, but highly meaningful, text closely related to the equally important and artistic illustrations. The language was natural and predictable, and the whole a pleasure to read.

However, OUP seem bent on creating a 'series' and, like all series, the quality is becoming patchy. Not all writers and illustrators are able to capture the 'rightness' of The Trunk, Cat on the Mat or The Island and even Wildsmith himself seems in danger of succumbing to formula-itis.

Giddy Up is the story of a reluctant donkey being coerced to market. It required a great deal of explanation from the adult reading aloud and solo readers couldn't predict the idiosyncratic text. It was a sure sign of disappointment when no-one wanted to take this home!

If I were You was better received. A child at the zoo wonders which animal he would like to be and what attributes he would have. The pictures are of Wildsmith's usual quality and the idea is thought-provoking... especially the last sentence, 'If you were me, you would be free.' There was plenty to discuss and think about here and, best of all, not just for the very young children that might at first appear to be its natural audience.