Animal Magic by Phil Allcock & Gina Maldonado

Age Range: 1 to 4A catchy rhyming text makes Animal Magic a really fun book to read aloud. This sturdy, colourful board book for the littlest people introduces them to a variety of animals and birds in an amusing and playful way.On the first double spread we are introduced to a funny hedgehog who walks across the road before turning into a …This creature magically turns into another and then another. My eight year old was fascinated by this book and wanted to read on to find out which creature would come next! In total we are introduced to nine different creatures including birds, a slug and a worm, each depicted on a different coloured background which is peppered with flowers and stars.The size of the book is perfect for little hands and the bold colours in Gina Maldonado’s illustrations make it especially appealing to babies and toddlers. Humorous touches are included in the pictures, my daughter loves the worm’s sweater and we are still wondering why the hen is wearing a crown! The rhyming text is easy and fun to read and this book would be great to use in a pre school or early years classroom to introduce children to rhyming words. Children could even try writing their own Animal Magic stories for a wall display or a class book.If you’re looking for first books for a little one’s library, Animal Magic is definitely a fun one to include. It would make a lovely present for a new baby but, as we have proved, the fun, rhyming text also makes it a great book for an older child to practise reading.Author: Phil Allcock / Illustrator: Gina Maldonado

Thank you to Maverick Books for sending us a copy of Animal Magic. We think it’s a really magical board book for the littlest readers.