Specs for Rex by Yasmeen Ismail (Bloomsbury Publishing)

Happy Publication Day today for a book that has been a real hit with us here at ReadItDaddy Towers. With the aim of offering assurance and fun for children who may be getting their own first set of glasses, "Specs for Rex" introduces us to a little lion who really, truly hates his new specs. They're huge, they have bright red frames and Rex immediately feels a bit self-conscious and shy while wearing them. Not the done thing for a lion really, even a tiddly one.

Rex heads off to Nursery and makes every attempt to hide his newly attained glasses. Combing his mane down over his eyes seems like a good idea - until Rex starts tripping over things. Hiding them doesn't work either as someone always brings them back. Can Rex's friends and his nursery teacher help Rex accept his specs?

Yasmeen Ismail's fun book is beautifully written and illustrated and a real feel-good read. Lovely!

Charlotte's best bit: Rex trying really hard to hide his specs under his colossal mane!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A very nicely written way of helping children overcome their own shyness and self consciousness, specs or no specs. Really nice work Yasmeen!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Bloomsbury Publishing)