Claude in the Spotlight

Alex T Smith is a rising star in children’s books. The first Claude book, Claude in the City was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2012 and selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club 2011, while the author-illustrator had two books on the Kate Greenaway Award longlist in 2013. Now on the fifth book in the Claude series, we have some idea of what to expect from the charming pup in a red beret. Claude in the Spotlight does not disappoint. In this story, an ordinary stroll through town leads to Claude and his pal Sir Bobblysock joining a dance troupe and performing at a variety show in the grand theatre. But when disaster almost strikes, it is Claude who saves the day. The text is ideal for early readers, combining simple language with humour and page-turning entertainment. Occasionally complex words will not be off-putting when the book as a whole is such an attractive package. Alex T Smith’s illustrations are smart, playful and instantly recognisable, but it is his skill in creating drama out of bright comedy that makes the book such a compulsive read.