Rhinocorn Rules!

Ron is a rhino, but he is not happy living by rhino rules. Unlike the others, he loves art, music, laughter and having fun. One day, he decides to get creative with dust, berries and leaves, transforming himself into a rhinocorn. The other animals think he looks wonderful and enjoy getting to know him. The other rhinos, however, are not amused and band together to tell Ron to follow the rules. Supported by his new friends, Ron tears up the rule book and creates three much better rules for everyone to follow!

This lovely new story, Matt Carr offers a clear message about being an individual and being proud of yourself! Ron doesn’t want to conform to the way rhinos have always done things and so bravely takes a step that enables him to befriend the other creatures and explore his creativity. A joyful message for everyone to share!

The illustrations are everything we might expect of Matt Carr- bold, bright and beautiful! There is much to discuss and enjoy in these pages and a ‘Did you rhi-know?’ page at the end adds some facts about these amazing creatures.

A positive tale about being who you want to be, ‘Rhinocorn Rules'!’ is a brilliant book for sharing. I’m going to be Ron for WBD next year!

Rhinocorn Rules! Matt Carr

Egmont ISBN: 978- 1405296885

Rocket Mole

Armstrong the star-nosed mole is fed up of living underground. When he decides to go to the moon, his friends, although puzzled, are impressed by his actions as he builds a rocket and launches off into space. However, Armstrong quickly realises that there is much about the life he has left behind which he misses. When he returns, can he find a way to combine his desire for adventure and exploration with the companionship of his friends?

Perfectly timed for the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, ‘Rocketmole’ is a wonderful story about dreaming big, pursuing ambitions and appreciating friendship! As usual with Matt’s books, there are plenty of jokes to be found in the story- both in the text and in the illustrations. Some of these are perfect for little ones and some offering the more mature amongst us a smile (gravi-tea, for example) and the chance to share the joke. Matt’s illustrative style is as appealing as ever with bold, block colours and his cartoon-style layouts full of details to enjoy.

With its powerful message about following your dreams and achieving your goals, ‘Rocketmole’ is also a story about friendship and valuing what you have. Only when on the moon, gazing back at the world he has left does Armstrong realise what he has left behind.

This is such a lovely story, full of potential for using with a class in many ways, starting with as an introduction to the first moon landing. Fact files about the moon and star-nosed moles at the end of the book also offer a starting point for further investigation and I would love to see children experimenting with different rockets to send Armstrong of to space in. I think that’s my next book group activity planned!

ROCKETMOLE Matt Carr

Scholastic ISBN: 978-1407187860

Spyder

Spyder (Codename 008) is a super special secret agent who lives in her penthouse apartment at Number 7, Fleming Road, the loft of the Webster's home. Determined to foil Bluebottle's plot to eat little Tom Webster's birthday cake, Spyder is called upon to save the day.

Small she may be, but nothing gets in Spyder's way. Full of determination, courage and tea, she is ready for anything. The story would make a brilliant starting point for discussions about these qualities and how important they can be. I could also see children creating their own secret agents, using what they know about various creepy crawlies! 

The illustrations are fabulous. Bold blocks of colour keep backgrounds simple and uncluttered and layout is comic-like which allows the story to move quickly. There is so much humour on every page, which will appeal to any adult reading the story for the links to the James Bond films as well as to children. Matt Carr allows us to see things from Spyder's perspective- looking down on a room, looking up a the threat of a giant foot- which really makes you feel part of the story. 

As well as being an entertaining story, 'Spyder' also contains information about spiders on the 'Spider Facts Website' at the end of the book. If any book can salvage the reputation of these amazing creatures, this must be it! 

Spyder     Matt Carr

Scholastic      ISBN: 978-1407172934