'Little Monster Did It'

A new baby and a little monster under one roof can mean only one thing- trouble!

Book Details

Author/Illustrator: Helen Cooper

First published in 1995, this edition 2007 by Picture Corgi Books (library copy)

Reviewed copy from my personal library


Book Description:
There's a new baby brother in Amy's house....and that new cuddly toy her parents gave her just can't keep himself from being naughty!

This  story beautifully illustrates how a new baby may result in behaviour changes for older children and/or their teddies!

Amy, the narrator describes stinky nappies, baby wailing, restless nights and busy parents. Neither she, nor Little Monster is happy….and we see both getting up to plenty of mischief! Amy's excuse? -'Little Monster Did it'  (every...single...time)

Disillusioned with this wailing, pooping, time-consuming sibling, she wonders aloud if the baby could be given back......
Mum then asks Amy what might baby do all on his own?Now that's a serious question and Amy  starts to wonder....... 
Deep in thought, she visualises her little brother alone on a raft, drifting away and exposed to danger. Oh the guilt she suddenly feels! 

On reflection, Amy realises that she really does care for this little man and she discovers that playing with him and reading stories is fun. But, oh dear, jealousy can linger and Little Monster has one more episode of naughtiness, deciding to create some chaos in the kitchen. FED UP with his shenanigans, Mum and Dad finally  say 'Little Monster has to go…..Right Now!’

There's only one thing for it- HIDE!!

We see Amy and Little Monster scurrying through the house, until they find the best place of all- in the cot with baby (now that's clever- Bravo Amy! Or- probably Monster.)  With baby happily playing with his cute new toy-how could Mum and Dad be so cruel as to take Little Monster away? Even better- Amy gets brownie points for 'sharing'

 At last, Amy's good behaviour is rewarded with a story and a cuddle with Mum and Dad. Meanwhile... upstairs, we see that crafty look on Little Monster's face, as he and  baby are playing with crayons. Oh dear....he really is a Little Monster.


Why I like this book:
While it’s been 20 years since it’s first publication, the story line in 'Little Monster’ is a timeless one. The illustrations are a delight – the striking resemblance between Amy, Mum & her little brother, the frazzled and stressed faces of Mum and Dad, the wailing baby faces and the leering expressions of Amy or Little Monster when naughty stuff is going on. Helen Cooper captures it all- we can see the worried, almost guilty expression of Amy when she visualises her brother all alone, and the unsure face of baby as he drifts away on a floating raft, dressed just in his nappy.

The child reader sees that Little Monster certainly is the leader in all this naughty business…he breaks the video player* , overflows the bathroom, opens the hot-water-bottle wetting the bed etc. At the same time, Amy is always there with him, either doing the same thing, or watching close by……maybe they are equal partners in crime?!

A funny story, with a sweet ending and a book that comes full circle- Amy feels upset about changes at home, resents her little brother, but comes to love him and enjoy him in the end. And , the sight of baby snuggled with Little Monster, results in Amy getting some much wanted Mummy & Daddy time.

This is a lovely story to read to a child when a new sibling has arrived at home- they will relate to much of the general activities- busy parents, crying baby, sleepless nights. More importantly, in my opinion, its a lovely book for a parent to read at this same time- it can give a parent a chance to reflect on how family change can impact on a young child, and can be a subtle reminder that it’s definitely worth investing in together time with older siblings!

*Okay, the 20 years show just a little…

I think that overall, the illustrations and story line are pretty much timeless, but  your child may ask you about the video/vcr!

And they may wonder about the very large rectangular black object in the kitchen scene…


It’s probably one of these…..

http://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/sony_tokyo/cfd_60l_673482.jpg

Happy reading! 

Missus B

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Helen Cooper writes about ‘Little Monster Did It’
A lovely inside scoop from Helen Cooper- read how she planned the writing and illustrating of this delightful story HERE

Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble

Nine new babies means big trouble!

Text and illustrations: Tatyana Feeney
Oxford University Press 2014
ISBN : 978 0 19 273554 6 HB
ISBN 978 0 19 2735553 3 P
Library copy reviewed

Back of book: 

When Little Frog meets his nine new brothers and sisters, at first he is not impressed. After all, the tadpoles don't do anything. But when they turn into frogs...they also turn into friends.

The Story:

Frog is happy with his family just as it is- Mummy, Daddy and him. Then his parents announce that he is going to be the eldest brother to nine baby tadpoles. He reckons this is bad news- tadpoles can't really do a whole lot, except keep Mummy and Daddy busy. Family life changes for Little Tadpole, but thankfully those little tadpoles grow into nine new playmates. 

Love the minimalistic illustrations in apple green/lime shades
Story Corner :Picture Book Reviews
'Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble'

More from Missus B

What attracted me to this book was it's lovely apple green colour and the simple illustrations. With a combination of water colours and ink drawings, pictures are minimalistic with mainly green, spots of pinks and some black outlining. The font is visually pleasing with the letters having dotted/ bubbled ends-which put me in mind of frogs feet. Although, the dot in the centre of each 'o' seems to add fussiness to the lettering and could bring confusion for self readers. 

The story itself is simple enough- Little Frog is a bit miffed about the upcoming family change. Rightly so, because as soon as the nine tadpoles arrive, Mummy and Daddy are preoccupied with bathing and bedtime. Little Frog is feeling resentful....

Little Frog was not impressed.
The tadpoles couldn't build a tower.
The tadpoles couldn't play the drums.
The tadpoles couldn't even jump.

Little Frog decides his siblings are boring...but 9 little tadpoles seem to love watching their big brother!
Story Corner: Picture Book Reviews
'Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble'

And of course, those tadpoles mean that Mum and Dad are too busy for bedtime stories and good night kisses. 

........Mummy is busy bathing 9 tadpoles
Story Corner: Picture Book Reviews
'Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble' 

Frustrated, Little Tadpole calls them 'Silly Tadpoles' until Daddy reminds him that he was once a baby too, and soon those tadpoles will be little frogs, just like him.  On the next double page spread, we see that :

Little Frog could do all sorts of things with his brothers and sisters. 
In particular building rather good towers.

The story is quickly summed up then, with Little Frog content to have 'nine new playmates' and being 'the best big brother to them all.' And the tadpoles have transformed into playful froglets.

This is a charming, simple story and a nice read for children who are adjusting to the arrival of new siblings- they won't be be needy babies forever! The simple illustrations include quirky details e.g. some tadpoles have eye lashes ('they're the girls!' my story-time listeners told me), a mobile of insects hangs above the tadpole bucket at bedtime & Little Frog's bedtime story is 'The Frog Prince.' Those with attention to detail may notice that, while Little Frog is seen playing his drums, building towers and skipping rope, his little siblings are in their jar, busily watching him. 

Plenty of counting opportunities in 'Little Frog's Tadpole Trouble'
Story Corner : Picture Book Reviews

While I do love the quirky pictures, the pale colours and white background make the pictures difficult to distinguish in a  group setting, unless your story time circle is a nice cosy one. In an up close read, the detailing can be better appreciated. There are some nice counting opportunities- my readers liked the repetition when we counted the tadpoles on each page (as well as debating as to whether each was a boy or girl!) The teacher in me would have liked if we could have seen the little tadpoles gradually morph into frogs. Overall though, this is a charming book.

Happy reading, 
Missus B
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'The Night Iceberg'

A night time adventure with a message about sharing....


Written & illustrated by Helen Stephens
Alison Green Books 2010 An imprint of Scholastic Children's Books
HB ISBN 978 1 407107 90 5
PB ISBN 978 1 40107 91 2
Reviewed edition: Library Copy

The Story

Back of the book- 
"This is my iceberg," said Tofta, "and I'm not going to share it with anyone!" But a grumpy penguin thinks it's his iceberg. How will they learn to share? 
One little girl, one iceberg, five hundred playful penguins......
and a magical night-time adventure!

Tofta is not one bit happy about the new baby taking over her home!

Tofta is fed up! The baby has been chewing on her rabbit toy, scrunching her favourite storybook and her bedroom isn't hers anymore- because the baby has moved in.  At night, Tofta spots a beautiful iceberg peacefully floating by her window. She packs a bag of things, tip toes out of the house and jumps on. At last, something all for herself.....until a penguin waddles up to her. After some sulking from both Tofta and the penguin, they learn to share the iceberg and Tofta's tin of sardines. Suddenly though, there is a penguin invasion. A belly sliding penguin party ensues and after much fun,Tofta feels tired and wants to go home. Her new friends guide the iceberg back to Tofta's house where she excitedly goes to her baby brother, so she can tell him all about her night time adventure.

'Freedom at last' thinks Tofta....but hang on, there's someone else
on this iceberg!'

Missus B says:
Firstly, I do love the name 'Tofta.' I have never heard it before, but it seems to suit the character perfectly. Curious about it's meaning, I discovered that it is a Swedish name, so maybe this is where our little character lives. In the back page of the book, the author explains that some of this story was influenced by a character in a Tove Jansson book- maybe the character was also called Tofta I wonder? Tove Jannson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish novelist- most famous for her wonderful Moomin characters. 





This is a lovely, sweet and original story. In households where there is a new baby, some little readers may relate to Tofta's frustration about her baby brother. She doesn't want to share and resents the fact that the baby damages her toys. In soft, warm water colours, we see the little Tofta stand in a huff with her arms folded as the text reads 'Her mummy said she had to learn to share.' 



Later, escaping to her quiet iceberg, Tofta  is initially delighted to be free from her baby brother and to at last have something to herself. But as the story continues, so does the sharing theme. Begrudgingly, she has to share her ice-berg space with a little penguin.

And later, he pit-pats up to her and stares hungrily as she eats her tin of sardines. She realises, that by sharing with him, she gets to experience a nice warm feeling -'The penguin nuzzled Tofta's arm. That felt nice.'  And, when the island is taken over by 500 penguins, reluctantly Tofta gives her last sardine to the smallest one there. His thank you snuggle is a turning point for Tofta......

The littlest penguin snuggled up to her to say thank you. He felt very soft and fluffy. Tofta gave him a cuddle.
That felt so nice, that Tofta made a big decision. She said to all the penguins:: "Would you like to share my iceberg? I can show you my sliding game."

Tofta has truly learnt how to share by the end of the story- when she returns from the iceberg, she puts her Jack Rabbit toy beside her baby brother in his cot, as she begins to tell him all about her night time adventure. 

The illustrations have a vintage, dream-like quality.  The whole story takes place at night time , Tofta is dressed in her blue night dress and there is a lovely contrast between the starry black sky and the blue/white iceberg. The illustrations are soft, warm and ever so cute. 

Love this double page spread- Tofta falls asleep wrapped 'in her
favourite jumper(which was really her Dad's)' as the penguins gently guide the iceberg back to her home.'

In short This story has a simple, charming appeal and combines  a quirky night time adventure with a message about learning to share.

"Wake up!' she whispered. "I have to tell you all about my iceberg!"

Happy reading, 
Missus B

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