Recently I had a lovely surprise pack of children’s books published by Pan Macmillan children’s imprint Two Hoots Books and it’s my pleasure to share my reviews of two of those books today.

Firstly, I’m looking at The Ogre Who Wasn’t by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Emily Gravett which was published by Two Hoots on 5th October and is available for purchase through the links here.

The Ogre Who Wasn’t

The fresh and funny story of a little princess who hates the stuffy palace, but loves the creatures she meets in the garden, from the award-winning duo Sir Michael Morpurgo (Children’s Laureate 2003-4) and Emily Gravett.

Clara is a small, strong-willed princess who likes running wild, jumping ditches and climbing trees . . . but most of all, she loves collecting creepy-crawlies and making them her friends. That’s not easy with a bossy butler and a pernickety nanny always on your case. When Clara discovers that an ogre she keeps in her shoe under her bed isn’t an ogre at all, he offers her a way out of her predicament. There’s only one thing she needs to do . . .

The Ogre Who Wasn’t is a lesson in kindness and a celebration of the natural world written by one of Two Hoots’s most acclaimed authors and illustrated by the award-winning Emily Gravett: the marvellous partnership who also created the bestselling picture book, A Song of Gladness.

My Review of The Ogre Who Wasn’t

Clara keeps an ogre under the bed!

What a charming book. I loved this story. In The Ogre Who Wasn’t Michael Morpurgo acknowledges the traditional concept of a princess who is pretty and demure and turns it on its head with Princess Clara who is scruffy, always active and very determined. She’s a great character.

I thought the balance of text to the fantastic pictures from Emily Gravett was perfect. The story is wonderful for reading aloud, but the language is accessible for young readers whilst having a variety of sentence structure that enhances independent writing as well as reading.

I thought the themes were simply fabulous. Through The Ogre Who Wasn’t Michael Morpurgo affords the opportunity for young children to express and understand grief and loneliness, independence, happiness and love. The ending is poignant and I thought the fact that the illustration suggests Clara’s new Mum appears to be of a different ethnicity is so important in today’s society. It’s also so heartening that the ogre turns out to be a simple toad, which teachers children not to judge by appearances.

However, it’s the whole package of The Ogre Who Wasn’t that is so pleasing because there is a feisty girl who acts as a role model for young children. There is a child whose mum has died and a father who is often absent for work so that ordinary families are represented. There is an appreciation and respect of nature and the understanding that riches don’t equate to happiness. There’s the acceptance of who we are and how others can improve our lives. There’s a celebration of love and family too. It’s all just lovely and enhanced by the beautiful illustrations.

I thoroughly recommend The Ogre Who Wasn’t!

About Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best-loved writers for children. He has written over 130 books including War Horse, which was adapted for a hugely successful stage production by the National Theatre and then, in 2011, for a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael was Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005. The charity Farms for City Children, which he founded thirty years ago with his wife Clare, has now enabled over 70,000 children to spend a week living and working down on the farm. His enormous success has continued with his novels Flamingo Boy and The Snowman, inspired by the classic story by Raymond Briggs. He was knighted in 2018 for services to literature and charity.

You can find out more by visiting Michael Morpurgo’s website.

About Emily Gravett

Emily Gravett has a rare talent for creating exceptional books for children. The winner of two CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals, her skill and wit are second to none. Emily first sprang into the limelight with the ground-breaking Wolves, which has been followed by such modern classics as Meerkat Mail, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, Monkey and Me and Again! and the fabulous Bear and Hare series for younger readers, as well as the beautiful Tidy, Old Hat, Cyril and Pat and Meerkat Christmas. Each book is unique and different from the last – and each features endearing, beautifully drawn characters that touch the heart and tickle the funny bone. Emily lives in Brighton with her family.

For further information you can fine Emily on Facebook and Instagram.

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A second lovely children’s book that arrived was Wolf and Bear by Kate Rolfe.

Wolf and Bear was published on 14th September and is available for purchase through the links here.

Wolf and Bear

A heartfelt story about a playful young wolf and her best friend, Bear.

The two best friends always play together, whether it’s paddling in the stream, skidding in the snow, or tumbling in the falling leaves. But sometimes Bear feels sad and wants to be alone . . .

Wolf and Bear is a beautiful tale of kindness and hope, exploring the topic of depression. Authentic and sensitively illustrated, this picture book gently introduces young children to a topic which can often be difficult to discuss.

Written and illustrated by the hugely talented Kate Rolfe, winner of the V&A Student Illustrator of the Year Award 2022.

My Review of Wolf and Bear

Bear sometimes feels very sad.

Oh come off it! How can a simple children’s book aimed at 3-6 year olds reduce a middle aged woman in her 60s to tears? That’s exactly what Kate Rolfe’s Wolf and Bear did because it’s so emotional.

Beautifully illustrated in blueish tones that perfectly echo Bear’s sadness and depression Wolf and Bear is a wonderful book for children. Wolf and Bear have a close friendship but at times life is too much for Bear and he needs space to be alone. This makes Wolf sad, but she sings her sadness and gradually draws Bear back into the light from the darkness he is feeling. Importantly, this is not a quick fix and Bear still has times when he simply wants to sit rather than play.

I loved the way Wolf and Bear is a story that allows children to explore their own difficult emotions in a safe environment. At one point Bear roars his answer to Bear with terrible anger, but Kate Rolfe helps young children understand that anger can come from a feeling of sadness so that this is a book that supports and helps the mental health of young readers.

Simply written, with plenty of repetition to support young readers and emergent writers, Wolf and Bear is not only a lovely book, it’s an important one. Through the story of Wolf and Bear, young children can learn to accept their own feelings and to understand how friendship can help as they empathise with others. I thought Wolf and Bear was just brilliant. It’s beautifully written and illustrated with an important message at its heart. Don’t miss it.

About Kate Rolfe

Kate Rolfe is an author and illustrator living in Suffolk who studied Animation at Plymouth College of Art, BA (Hons) Film Production at Northern Film School and graduated with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art in 2022. Aside from writing and illustrating her own ideas, she works in textile designs, teaches illustration and runs drawing and writing sessions online. Kate has won many awards including New Talent in Children’s Publishing at the World Illustration Awards 2022 and Student Illustrator of the Year 2022 at the V&A Illustration Awards. She has also received awards for her works Wiggling Words and Wolf and Bear, both of which are being published by Two Hoots under Macmillan Children’s Books.

For further information, visit Kate’s website and follow Kate on Twitter/X @KateRolfeArt. You’ll also find Kate on Facebook and Instagram.