I Really Really Need a Wee

Bush Baby is having a wee emergency. At the jiggly stage of desperation, she tries hard to think of things to take her mind off the subject, but to no avail. She searches for somewhere discrete to relieve herself, but there is nowhere to go…What is she to do?

What a delightful book! Bush Baby’s dilemma is one which many little (and not-so-little!) ones will recognise and empathise with. It is perfect for encouraging discussions about that last trip to the loo before going out, reminding children of Bush Baby’s troubles! Although I have referred to Bush Baby as ‘she’, gender is never specified, making it easy for any child to relate to her fate!

The rhyming text is bouncy and full of energy as poor Bush Baby wriggles and jiggles, trying to contain the urge as it grows stronger. Duncan Beedie has done an amazing job of capturing both the facial and bodily expressions of desperation, managing to make Bush Baby completely adorable as well as uncomfortable!

Here on the Bookshellf, we are huge fans of both members of this dream team’s work and ‘I Really Really Need a Wee’ combines their talents perfectly. I can see this becoming a firm favourite both at home and in schools up and down the country! Fabulous fun!

‘I Really Really Need a Wee’ is a gorgeous book, beautifully illustrated and bursting with laughs!

I Really Really Need a Wee

Karl Newson, illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Little Tiger Books ISBN: 978-1788817851

Molly’s Moon Mission

Molly is a small moth with big ambitions. Her dream is to go to the moon and she puts in lots of hard work and training to accomplish her moon mission. However, Molly has a few false starts as she mistakes first a bulb, then a street lamp and finally a lighthouse for the light of the moon. At this point, her steely determination waivers slightly before a wise old crab offers some words of encouragement and with renewed confidence, she achieves her goal and makes a giant leap for moth-kind!

Full of Duncan’s charming illustrations, ‘Molly’s Moon Mission’ is a wonderful story about holding on to your dreams and never giving up. Molly’s determination is an example to us all, but the story also makes it clear that fulfilling dreams does not come easy- it requires perseverance and dedication as well. And having successfully achieved her goal, Molly is keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. She’s quite a moth!

There is so much that could be done with this story in class or at a book group session. Molly lends herself to becoming a lovely little stick puppet which could easily be made and used to retell the story. Children could find out about moths and create Molly-shaped books to record their facts in. They could paint night sky pictures and add a Molly to the scene. Stories about Molly’s siblings and the adventures that she has inspired them to go on would be great fun to write and could form a collection of stories for the library. The language Duncan uses to tell the story is rich and varied, making it a great one to use for developing vocabulary and exploring words as well as using for some fun SPaG activities. I can’t help planning a Moths and Moonbeams (Snakes and Ladders) type of game to develop sentence work!

A wonderfully positive and encouraging story, ‘Molly’s Moon Mission’ is a real treasure. We are looking forward to hearing more about this inspiring moth when Duncan visits us next week as part of our World Book Day celebrations!

Molly’s Moon Mission Duncan Beedie

Templar ISBN: 978-1787413405

The Last Chip

Percy is a small pigeon . Life is tough for him on the streets and he is always hungry so he moves from place to place, trying to find some food. However, wherever he goes, there always seems to be someone bigger who is selfish and not prepared to share. At last, ignored by all passers-by, little Percy huddles on the pavement, hungry and alone, when he is offered a chip - and friendship- from a stranger.

Carrying strong messages of kindness and compassion, 'The Last Chip' is a brilliant story. Bullied, homeless and hungry, Percy captures the heart of the reader and makes it very easy to discuss these issues, encouraging empathy. 

The illustrations are wonderful and people will recognise Bristol as the city which inspired the one Percy flew over with its cathedral, brightly coloured houses and balloon drifting in the sky and the station where he searched for crumbs as Temple Meads. Each illustration is full of Duncan's humorous touches and little jokes.

The Last Chip    Duncan Beedie

Templar      ISBN: 978-1783700622

Oof Makes an Ouch!

Set in the Stone Age, ‘Oof Makes an Ouch!’ introduces us to Oof and Pip, best friends, who can only say their own names until Oof invents a new word which leads to her getting lots of praise and attention from the rest of the village. This makes Pib very jealous and threatens their friendship.

Delightfully funny, ‘Oof Makes an Ouch!’ is also a lovely story for helping children to understand feelings of jealousy and learning to say sorry, making it perfect for starting discussions in PSHE or after one of those difficult play times all teachers are familiar with. Pib’s inability to find the words to express his frustration, which leads to his subsequent actions, is beautifully portrayed, capturing a feeling commonly experienced and allowing for its exploration and for thinking of strategies for helping Pib to act in a different manner.

Forming part of the History Programme of Study for KS2, The Stone Age is an era which fascinates children and generates some amazing questions. When did people start talking to each other? Who spoke the first word? How did everyone know what it meant? are examples of questions I have been asked (amid a multitude of others!) when teaching about this period. ‘Oof’ would make a wonderful starting point for exploring the origins of language, the etymology of words and the changing nature of language as it evolves to describe new inventions and experiences. It could also lead to discussions about the ‘lost words’ taken from dictionaries as they fall from usage. Completely fascinating for a word-nerd like me!

One invention leads to another and to yet more questions..! The invention of the wheel was a major advance - and yet today, we take it completely for granted. Considering inventions and inventors leads to further discoveries and the story offers the opportunity for discussions and creative thinking!

With its lovely characters, the story also lends itself to writing further adventures about Pib and Oof. Who knows what else this dynamic duo might discover or create? Children would enjoy writing additional adventures and using their learning about the Stone Age to colour their writing. (I would like Duncan to write a book all about the little lizard character who appears throughout!)

‘Oof Makes an Ouch!’ is a wonderfully humorous story, encouraging empathy and investigation!

Oof Makes an Ouch! Duncan Beedie

Templar ISBN: 978-1787416819