The Big Book of Betsey Biggalow

Betsey is the West Indies’ answer to Dick King-Smith’s Sophie – a funny, friendly wee girl whirling through the ups and downs of life with her extended family: the trials and tribulations of not having the trainers you want, learning that friends are important, beating the boys at marbles, getting lost in the market, waiting for Dad to come home from abroad where he’s studying.

The bold and often expressive black and white illustrations give Betsey and co. white skin but Afro-Caribbean features – I find this odd, given that there are many media which can be reproduced successfully in monochrome while giving a more realistic skin tone.

The stories were first published 10-15 years ago; this and their setting give them a simplicity and innocence that is not so easily found in the more sophisticated ideas often offered to this age group now, but is still much needed. Great for reading aloud, or for new readers to enjoy by themselves.