We have lift off!

This lovely picture book by Sean Taylor and Hannah Shaw has lots of appealing factors for young readers - animals, a space rocket and a good dose of humour. In addition, there's a strong environmental message.

Farmer Tanner keeps his animals in cramped conditions and pollutes his farm with junk. At the same time, his own house gets bigger and bigger - and the animals get madder and madder! They decide to build an intergalactic rocket to escape to the clear, clean stars where there are no humans to mess things up. Unfortunately, none of the animals can quite get the hang of the test flight and then - horror of horrors - Farmer Tanner discovers the rocket! You can probably guess the twist that is coming next - suffice it to say, the farmer is never seen again and the book ends with a stern warning that "if you're one of the people who makes a mess of our planet - WATCH OUT! It could be your turn next!"

Thanks to the publishers, Frances Lincoln Children's Books,who supplied this book via a Youth Libraries Group draw. Neither required me to write a review. We have lift off will now find a happy home in my local library.

PS 22/5/13 - here's a fabulous review from of We have lift-off! from Playing by the Book, including follow-up activity ideas

Learning to look after the environment.

We've certainly been working hard on our children's booklists page in the last couple of weeks. The latest list is on the environment. As environmental concerns become more prominent in the curriculum, the issue is featuring more and more in children’s fiction. We’ve collected together some of the best titles with environmental appeal. With themes of community spirit, mysteries and young heroes, such novels convey the environmental message in an enjoyable and engaging way. As with our other lists, there is something for all ages from picture books for younger children to teenage novels.Many thanks to my colleague Alison Kennedy for creating this list.