Toad has Talent by Richard Smythe (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)

"Wait a minute, we've read this one before!" Charlotte was absolutely adamant when we started out with this book...
"Toad has Talent" by Richard Smythe definitely hadn't cropped up in our review pile before, but Charlotte's memory is so much better than mine.

After some frantic hunting around in our blog archives I realised that she was talking about "Penguin's Hidden Talent" by Alex Latimer, a book we'd reviewed YEARS ago.

Have a read of both reviews and see if you think she's right (personally I can see a slight resemblance but only slight - and as the old saying goes, great minds often think alike).

Though the plots do follow each other fairly closely for a while, "Toad has Talent" follows the story of a rather hopeless hoppy green fellah rather than a penguin - who dreads a particular time of year. Down at the local pond, every year without fail, there's a talent contest.

Toad never enters, mainly because Toad firmly believes he isn't any good at anything. This year though he's determined to at least go and watch the other acts...

Moonlight Pond, scene of the annual animal talent contest!

All the animals gather in the magical place known as Moonlight Pond. Toad hides out in the bushes, waiting for the acts to begin. The judges are ready, the contestants are ready - and there are some amazing skills on show...

Poor toad. You just gotta believe, little green dude!

Before the acts finish, Toad prepares to leave - but with a slip, a slide, a cartwheel and some spectacular moves Toad accidentally becomes a star of the show...!

Though Madam was less keen, I rather liked the atmosphere in this story. I loved Richard's wintry scenes for starters (oh how I wish we still had snow like that down here in the south - though I'd probably change my mind if I had to drive anywhere in it). The characters are fun, and the moral about believing in yourself and your own abilities - even if you don't think you have any - is a nice strong positive message for kids to take in.

"Toad has Talent" by Richard Smythe is out now, published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).