The children who loved books by Peter Carnavas

Angus and Lucy are two children who may not have a lot of material things, but the one thing they have a lot of is a love of books.  Their house is a small caravan crammed to the brim with books, they don't have a television, and they don't have a car - but they have worlds at their fingertips through their extensive collection of books.  Their hundreds of books are piled here and there around the caravan, but one day their home can take no more and the books have to go.  What Angus, Lucy and their parents discover is that their home is very empty indeed without their books, they have lost their books but so much more.  One day somethings tumbles out of Lucy's school bag that will change things - for all of them.

This is a charming picture book that is simple but very effective, and makes a wonderful addition to any family bookshelf for read aloud sharing.  The characters are simply but warmly drawn, and the world they inhabit could be anywhere in the world, or just around the corner.  The story is simple, but also has a hidden depth, and while there is the strong message that reading and books are important, it is delivered in such a way that it doesn't hit you over the head with the message.  A wonderful, warm, shareable read for the whole family - from little ones listening to stories, through to preschoolers learning to sound out their words, through to school age children who enjoy a lovely family read.

If you like this book then try:

• No T.Rex in the library by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
• The Gobbledygook is eating a book by Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting; illustrated by Tom Jellett
• It's a book by Lane Smith
• Library lion by Michelle Knudsen; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
• The library dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy; illustrated by Michael P. White
• Wild about books by Judy Sierra; pictures by Marc Brown
• The librarian of Basra: A true story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter
• Miss Brooks loves books (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner; illustrated by Michael Emberley
• The library by Sarah Stewart; illustrated by David Small

Reviewed by Brilla