Zoe and Beans: Where is Binky Boo?

When Zoe’s beloved dog Beans steals Molly, her favourite doll, the results are not only frustrating but extremely smelly. Having lost his own toy, Beans won’t play with anything but Molly provoking much aggravation. It’s a battle and the final showdown is a glorious page, filled mostly with doggy-pattern duvet, where Zoe explains to the now rejected doll: ‘You’re too stinky. No offence.’ But it all ends happily when Zoe attempts to beguile Beans into a game with a newly laundered Molly and they stumble upon Beans’ lost toy.

This simple, yet well-told, story deftly explores the tension between conflict, love and almost sibling rivalry which exists between child and pet. It’s a struggle which small children will readily understand, and a resolution which will bring them comfort.

The duo of Mick Inkpen and his daughter Chloë (one which I suspect will have far greater longevity than Zoe and Beans) has worked a magic with quirky illustrations and witty text. Chloë has learnt a lot from her dad about the use of white on a page and about pictures zinging with humour and clever composition. Additionally, her use of pencilled lines softened with textures coupled with matchstick legs and mouth-less faces, has created a group of fresh and original characters.