ReadItDaddy's Book of the Week - Week Ending 14th August 2015 - "The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty" by Beatrice Alemagna (Thames and Hudson)

Beatrice Alemagna's "The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty" is just such a book. It lures you in with a gloriously colourful cover, and the promise of a central character who is a girl on a mission - to find something truly special for her mum's birthday. After hearing a whispered conversation over breakfast, young Eddie (what do you mean it's not a girl's name, Charlotte?!) sets out to make sure she finds the perfect present. Her misheard whisper speaks of something magical-sounding, a marvellous fluffy squishy itty bitty, so Eddie is off into town to try all the local shops for this mythical pressie.

But what is it? The baker doesn't seem to know but sends Eddie on her merry way with some tasty treats. The dressmaker doesn't know either but can offer Eddie a groovy little pearl button. Once Eddie has visited various shops (including the world's grumpiest butcher - Poo to him!) she actually spots the very object she's been searching for! But it's tantalisingly out of reach! Can Eddie possibly think her way around the problem and come up trumps for mum?



The rich storyline is complimented by Beatrice's art style, which made us want to leap headlong into the book. Eddie is a glorious little character, full of friendly inquisitiveness and single-minded in her quest (as most youngsters are!) and we love that devotion to her cause as the story unfolds. I particularly loved Beatrice's town, bustling and gorgeously colourful and the sort of place we'd love to explore if we were a pint-sized present hunter.

A heartwarming and lovely story, every bit as fluffy, squishy and itty bitty as the title would suggest. Do not miss this one!

"The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty" by Beatrice Alemagna is out on the 17th August 2015 from Thames and Hudson.

 Here's a really lovely book trailer for the book, hosted on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/130863363. 

Charlotte's best bit: Eddie's rather subversive use of the pearl button to help her retrieve the marvellous fluffy squishy itty bitty

Daddy's Favourite bit: A beautiful book that made us want to live in Eddie's town! We can't wait for more of Beatrice's books!






(Kindly sent to us for review by Thames and Hudson)