Pom Pom the Champion by Sophy Henn (Picture Puffin)

Pom Pom the (no longer) grumpy Panda is back, hooray! Let's take a closer look at Sophy Henn's awesome second outing for our fave Panda chum!
Pom Pom is one of the most adorable and energetic pandas we've ever had the pleasure of meeting and although in his previous story outing he had a tendency to be a bit grumpy, he's definitely a happy little chap in his latest story.

Well, mostly!

In "Pom Pom the Champion" once again Sophy Henn turns her expert gaze on a particular aspect of children's behaviour that will have many parents nodding furiously (and groaning inwardly) in recognition.

"Winning" is something that children love, whether it's being the first to brush their teeth, the first to run upstairs, the first to get ready to go out or the first to the ice cream van. In fact it doesn't go away even when children are Charlotte's age, and being slightly cruel it's still the best way to get her to run upstairs for bedtime (if I 'pretend' to be wheezing old dad challenging her to a race to the bathroom for a brush up and wash).

Winning at games is fun with Pom Pom and Mum!

Pom Pom is having a winning day, and all goes swimmingly - until Pom Pom meets up with his friends at the local playpark, and realises that some of his friends can swing higher, can climb to the top of the climbing frame faster, and can run faster too.

Oh dear! Pom Pom doesn't like losing, so he decides that the only way to win every time is to play by himself and win by himself.

But...where's the fun in that?

There is, of course, a perfect answer that doesn't require shuttering yourself off from your best friends. Can Pom Pom learn to play (and win) together after all?

Perfectly observed, wonderfully written and illustrated, once again Pom Pom is a real winner with us!

Charlotte's favourite bit: Pom Pom's 'winning' way of packing a grocery sack at the supermarket. Eeps!

Daddy's favourite bit: Sophy has absolutely nailed that 'fun' time in a child's life where winning is (practically) everything, and second best just won't cut it. Acutely observed and brilliantly put together, Pom Pom definitely is a champ!

It's not too late to dig in to some awesome activity sheets that Sophy has put together for your own little champion. Right-Click and save to your computer, print out and join in with Pom Pom's champion fun!



(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Puffin)

"Pom Pom the Champion"

Written and Illustrated by Sophy Henn

Published by Picture Puffin

Release Date: 3rd September 2015