John the Mouse who Learned to Read

This may be the story of how a mouse learned to read but I certainly hope it isn't the story of how children learn to read any longer. The story was first written over thirty years ago when Janet and John was the vogue and I feel - at least I hope - that the joke may well be lost on today's learner readers who have not been subjected to the likes of 'Come here, John'. The book is printed in two colours and the illustrations look decidedly dated. I'm not sure why Puffin have chosen to publish this oddity; it didn't raise a smile among those I have shared it with.