Loudmouth Louis

Louis, who talks all the time, lights on the idea of a sponsored silence as his school fund-raising effort. The book is cleverly constructed so that Louis gradually realises the effect his chattering has had on this schoolmates, how much of interest he has missed through constantly making a noise, and how supportive his friends and teachers are of him. Fine's customary light touch makes the point well, in short, infectiously funny chapters, complemented by Aldous's conventional, almost old-fashioned illustrations - it is a pity that the cover, by Claire Douglass, is so unattractive. Highly recommended for 8s to 11s - I'm looking forward to my own resident Loudmouth being old enough to read it!