Review

Learning & Development: Book choice

- Big Noisy Book of Vehicles by Ronne Randall, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Boxer Books, 12.99 HB

This book is bright, bold and jam-packed with vehicles! Each colourful spread explores forms of transport in different environments, from river and bustling city to snowy places and outer space. The accompanying DVD brings it all to life with full animation and over 100 different vehicle noises. The text is informative and the large format makes it easy to share, but the success of the book lies with hundreds of little animal passengers. They add real humour - an elephant on a dustbin lorry, rabbits on an ocean liner, kangaroos boarding a plane!

- A Small Surprise by Louise Yates. Jonathan Cape, £10.99 hB

A small white rabbit joins a colossal line-up of characters at the circus. He's too small to do lots of things like walk very far and tie his own shoes, but his small size gives him a rare talent for disappearing acts.

- Seymour and Henry by Kim Lewis. Walker Books, £10.99 HB

The playful ducklings run off when it's time to head for home, then hide and wait for mum to come and find them. But mum does not appear, and it's pouring with rain.

- Farmer, Postman, Fireman, Doctor. Zero to Ten, £5.99 each

New series with bold pictures in a sturdy format tracking the working day of a varied set of people: Fiona the GP, Gurmail the postman, Dwight the fireman and Peter the farmer.

- People Who Help Us - Vet, Farmer, Recycling Officer, Lifeboat Crew Member by Rebecca Hunter. Cherrytree Books, £10.99 each

Aimed at Key Stage 1 and upwards, but the specially commissioned photographs make it accessible to older children within the EYFS.