Cyril and Pat

Cyril is lonely. There are no other squirrels in the park – at least, that is what he thinks, until he meets Pat. Together they have fun. But Pat is not a squirrel. Does this matter if he is a good friend?

A lively rhyming text with a very catchy refrain designed to catch the listeners out as they joyfully join in, is the perfect accompaniment to Gravett’s witty illustrations. Making full use of each spread, her energetic lines convey humour and action to engage the young reader as Cyril and Pat leap, bound and bounce round the park. Her colour palette matches the mood; the park a lush green space framed by grey buildings. There is jeopardy as well as the mood changes and with it the visual tension; gone are the vignettes, instead a series of dark dangerous double spreads emphasise poor Cyril’s situation. Throughout there are amusing details to be discovered – there is a badger icon on the rubbish bin, a badger called Pete, perhaps. We are reminded of an earlier picture book. However, this is not just a piece of nonsense. As with all Gravett’s books there is more as she highlights prejudice and assumptions based on stereotypes – Pat is after all a dirty, thieving rat according to the other animals.  But, as Cyril and Pat demonstrate – and young readers will have realised – friendship can transcend such attitudes.

Another gem from this creator of picture books that never fail to delight.