Robin and Pip

What a charming book! The colour scheme throughout is quite delightful. It is full of the joyous spring-like shades of delicate, fresh greens and the softest of pinks. The tale is told as a conversation between an inquisitive but anxious Robin and an apple tree. (Note the latter’s face drawn on the tree’s trunk on each page.) Robin is such a worrier about everything, but at this moment, Robin worries that Pip (AKA apple tree) will be lonely once her flowers have floated away. Pip explains the cyclical pattern of bees gathering the pollen, ensuring the flowers are ready to grow into apples. Robin’s next worry is that the apples will grow so big and so heavy her branches won’t hold their weight. No worries, comforts Pip as she explains her branches are strong and flexible and her deep roots anchor her to the ground throughout all seasons. Robin’s final worry is voiced; won’t her apples be missed once they go? More reassurance….those that are harvested will feed giggly children and the ones that fall will feed wiggly worms! The youngest of readers will spot a littering of spiders, bees and ladybirds throughout, ….and Robin collecting nest material. And there is the final picture, of Robin, in the tree, near her nest housing 3 blue eggs. A delicious book, one small readers will love to share, then explore page by page independently. Just charming.