ReadItDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 10th June 2016 - "Claude All At Sea by Alex T. Smith" (Hodder Children's Books)

A ticklish take on "Jonah and the Whale" is our first Book of the Week this week, as Alex T. Smith's awesome doggy hero makes a smooth transition to big picture books!
We love the Claude books by Alex T. Smith but always wondered whether little ones feel like they're being left out a tad.

Never fear, Claude is here in his first "big picture book" outing, and it's a nautical CORKER of a book as Claude ends up "All At Sea".

Claude and his ever-present sidekick (wait, WHO is the Sidekick here?) Sir Bobblysock, are once again left alone in the house by Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes. Claude is a clean little pup so decides to have a lovely bubbly bath.

Alas, Claude is distracted (probably by something cream-bun shaped) and before the dynamic duo know it, the whole house is flooded - and Claude is scooting out the front door clinging to the sides of the bath for dear life!

The bath is swiftly washed out to sea! EEK!

Stonking good fun indeed!

Sailing the ocean blue in a bath is brilliant fun. Until NIGEL shows up...

Oh dear, looks like someone didn't make plans for Nigel...(ee-oo!)

Nigel is a hungry sea monster who makes short work of Claude, Sir Bobblysock and the bath. Thankfully Claude soon realises he's not alone, there are other sea-friends living in Nigel's tum - and the new friends need to work out a cunning plan to escape! Will the contents of Claude's tardis-like beret be of any possible use?

It's an awesome book. Everything we love about Claude's chapter book adventures, beautifully condensed into a gloriously illustrated picture book. How could we possibly NOT nominate it as book of the week.

Charlotte's best bit: Claude's brilliant idea for getting out of a rather sticky situation!

Daddy's favourite bit: A fantastic romp with all the fab hallmarks that make the Claude books so brilliant. Rib-tickling fun, glorious illustrations and a modicum of cheekiness. Get it. Get it now!

(Kindly supplied for review by Hodder Children's Books)

"Claude All At Sea" 

Written and Illustrated by Alex T. Smith

Published by Hodder Children's Books

Publication Date: 2nd June 2016