Angus Rides the Goods Train

How refreshing it is to find an imaginatively undidactic picture book, aimed at beginner and older readers, which vigorously and unashamedly celebrates that antiquated notion, the redistribution of wealth! Angus is sleeping one night when the richly symbolic goods train loaded with milk and honey and rice and water, comes chugging over his eiderdown and takes him on a journey through neglect and poverty to the waiting recipients of the bounty: a king and his squalid courtiers. 'This is not right!' cries Angus, before commandeering the train and triumphantly distributing its merchandise to the needy. This attractive hardback book, with its visionary, rather Rackmanesque illustrations, concise and powerful text, and highly idealistic message, should be given out free to everyone by the World Health Organisation.