A House in the Woods

This large and sumptuous picture book which tells the sort of story that absorbs young children has the potential to become a classic. Two little pigs each have a rough and ready shelter in the woods. When they return from a walk one day they find that Bear and Moose have moved into their homes unwittingly damaging them. What might have been a disaster is avoided as the four animals decide to build one strong house to accommodate them all, with the help of some beavers. The written text flows, often using the sort of language-developing syntax and vocabulary favoured by Beatrix Potter: the hard working beaver builders ask to be paid in peanut butter sandwiches ‘to which no-one had any objection’. But it is the large double spread illustrations which captivate most. The animal characters are shown in atmospheric woodland and lakeside landscapes depicted in a soft painterly pallet while bolder colours are used in indoor scenes. Each picture will be talked about and the details enjoyed and savoured, not least those showing the building stages which are sure to encourage questions and comment.

The wrap-around laminate jacket and the quality paper add to the attractiveness of this production. In short this is a small masterpiece which deserves a place in home and nursery collections.