The Angel and the Wild Animal by Michael Foreman

The Angel and the Wild Animal, first published in 1988 (the year my beautiful daughter Nicola was born), is a beautiful book for preschoolers by well-known  and prolific writer/illustrator Michael Foreman. Most parents could  well and truly relate to the story; I know I can. No-one's child is ever a complete saint or a horror, they just flit between one extreme and another and fortunately at certain points in the day level out to be just normal children.The luminous water colours are a  Foreman trademark and exemplify both the magical and the trying moments well. 

"Sometimes we have an Angel in the house.
Most times at night, and mostly asleep.
But sometimes awake,
a golden head in the dark.
In the day, in the park,
the Angel is brighter than the sun.

In some ways this book reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, especially the illustrations.

....'

Out of the Ashes by Michael Morpurgo

This is one of the most powerfully emotional children's  books I have read.It is simply told but really delivers a powerful blow. I had heard of foot and mouth disease but until I read this novel had not really understood the implications it causes for whole communities and the heart break it brings to each farming family watching their life's work destroyed before their eyes.  This is Becky Morley's story of how she and her family coped with losing all that was precious to them over a few short months, and of her sudden awareness that even her very strong dependable dad cannot cope with such a soul destroying experience. It is told through a diary she received as a thirteenth birthday present from her dad. It tracks the family's days before the outbreak, during the outbreak, until it reaches it heart wrenching conclusion. But, it is also a book about hope and the support that communities give in such times of hardship.  I have always appreciated the illustrative powers of Michel Foreman and his illustrations really do justice to this amazing story. I would also recommend his novels War Horse and Butterfly Lion.

The Rainbow Bear by Michael Morpugo

I am snow bear. I am sea bear. I am white bear. I wander far and wide, king in my wild white wilderness.

Thus begins The Rainbow Bear written from the point of view of the polar bear, with its crisp short sentence delivery, alliteration and poetic text. With its frisking foxes, slow seals, wallowing walruses and flashing fish, and the grinding and groaning ice, the story of the polar bear and the harshness or its existence gently unfolds. He follows rainbows and is desperate to become a rainbow bear, and one day his wish is fulfilled. Then come the hunters, looking for the unique things in nature and his life takes a turn for the worse...I collect polar bear picture books and this one is a welcome addition to my collection. Michael Foreman's delicate and evocative paintings do not disappoint. Be careful what you wish for!