CHILDREN’S  | Daily Mail Online

Donaldson and Rayner return with this witty, touching and stunningly illustrated rhyming tale of kindly bowerbird Bert in search of a mate

CHILDREN’S

THE BOWERBIRD

by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Catherine Rayner (Macmillan £12.99, 32pp)

Donaldson and Rayner return with this witty, touching and stunningly illustrated rhyming tale of kindly bowerbird Bert in search of a mate.

He attracts the attention of Nanette, but his modest offering of a purple flower isn’t enough for her, and poor Bert spends his days collecting all sorts of treasures to satisfy his bride-to-be.

When she betrays him he’s bereft — until the arrival of ‘The sweetest bird he’d ever seen, She bowed her head and said, I’m Jean.’

Agee’s deadpan humour finds perfect expression in this absurd and funny story of a put-upon father

MY DAD IS A TREE

by Jon Agee (Scallywag £12.99, 40pp)

Agee’s deadpan humour finds perfect expression in this absurd and funny story of a put-upon father whose young daughter, Madeleine, insists they stay outside in the garden ‘all day long’ pretending to be trees.

As various creatures take up residence on Dad’s ‘branches’, it starts to rain and, as night falls, Dad’s patience wears thin, but Madeleine’s cheerful optimism about their joint venture sustains the fantasy.

Agee conveys so much emotion through changing facial expression in the simple but bold illustrations, and the bond between father and daughter is truly heartwarming.

THE KING’S HATS

by Sheila May Bird Illustrated by Mark Beech (Welbeck £7.99, 32pp)

THE KING’S PANTS

by Nicholas Allen (Andersen £7.99, 32pp)

Two fun titles for next week’s coronation celebrations start at the head with The King’s Hats, where Charles is feeling the uncomfortable weight of his new crown that seemed to fit his mother perfectly. But his wise gardener shows him how a King can wear all sorts of hats and, if he’s brave, he’ll soon feel at ease with his crown.

And at the other end of the body we have a follow-up to the classic The Queen’s Knickers with this madcap story of how the future King manages to lose a sackful of his underwear when his pants are posted to his loyal subjects and have to be tracked down by sniffer dogs . . .

Two fun titles for next week’s coronation celebrations start at the head with The King’s Hats, where Charles is feeling the uncomfortable weight of his new crown that seemed to fit his mother perfectly