Minty and Tink

This is a heart-warming story, drawn and told with Chichester Clark’s usual abundance of charm. The author is a master at bringing characters to life. Here the story is told in the first person as Minty recalls a shopping trip with mum to buy a present for baby brother. A tiny panda calls from the toy shelves and is taken home as the ideal present. Tink is no ordinary toy but a ‘one in a thousand’, ‘real as you are’ tiny speaking bear. Minty and Tink become firm friends but the dreaded moment of handing Tink over to baby brother gets closer and closer. A cunning plan is devised but nearly thwarted in an action-packed climax.

This is a delightful book, beautifully paced in part graphic novel format, nicely designed and printed on a matt paper that enhances Chichester Clark’s warm but understated colours.