Hello! Is that Grandma?

Hmmm, an odd mishmash, this book. Teddy whizzes about trying to get Grandma on the phone, but gets various wrong numbers, of animal friends who are too busy to talk. At last he finds out that they are all invited to Grandma’s birthday celebration, except for the crocodile who has other ideas for his tea…

Loosely rhymed, with lots of phone noises for the young reader, there doesn’t seem to be any clear purpose for the story. Each double spread includes a large flap to lift, sturdily designed and interestingly cut, revealing the animal who has been phoned. Allwright’s illustrations have a strangely retro Little Golden Book feel, mixing collagey textures and different styles in paint, all a bit piecemeal and more twee than stylish overall. A disappointing offering from Whybrow, whose ‘Little Wolf’ books have so much wit and sly humour about them.