"McToad Mows Tiny Island" by Tom Angleberger and John Hendrix is that rare beast, a book that uses a relatively simple premise to such brilliant effect that it ends up feeling wholly original and fresh.
McToad is the warty fellah in charge of mowing vast tracts of lawn on Big Island but every Thursday, Toad gets to trek over to Tiny Island - a postage-stamp-sized bit of land out in the middle of the sea. But how on earth does Toad get himself (and his sit-on lawnmower) over to this tiny island? It takes a lot of effort actually...
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| Onto the train! |
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| Time to head for the docks. Need to take to the air for this bit! |
McToad is also a pilot so he winches his mower off to the docks before boarding a ship. But that's not the end of McToad's journey! Off he sales, before a final bit of crane work and...
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| "I'm sure I can stretch this out to an entire day if I go REALLY slowly!" |
See, we told you that island was tiny. Children will absolutely love following McToad's journey, with the bright bold illustrations and fabulously designed text showing McToad's breeze of a day unfolding.
Don't just keep this story for Thursdays, read it every day!
Charlotte's favourite bit: The fact that McToad STILL takes a break in the middle of mowing each half of the island.
Daddy's favourite bit: A brilliant journey for McToad, beautifully presented in this fresh-feeling and wholly original book.
(Kindly sent to us for review by Abrams Young Readers)
"McToad Mows Tiny Island"
Written by Tom Angleberger
Illustrated by John Hendrix
Published by Abrams Young Readers
Publication Date (Paperback): 1st September 2015