Petra by Marianna Coppo (Thames and Hudson)

Here's a wonderful and quirky little story that's chock full of delicious symbolism for what it must feel like to be a tiny tot again, wondering what the world has in store for you...
In Marianna Coppo's excellent little story "Petra", the titular little mite is a rock.

Petra cannot be moved by the wind, by the rain, snow sleet or hail she stays put.

But Petra has big dreams, and always wonders what she might become as time passes.

The life of a rock might sound like the dullest premise for a children's picture book but you'll soon discover that Petra's world is full of wonders, and perhaps even the odd friend or two...

Don't get any funny ideas about marking your territory, Mr Dog!

We follow the simple story through Petra's view of the world, and it's an imaginative tale that encourages children to see the wonders they'll encounter daily in their own lives too.

Neither time nor the wind can move Petra...

The text is kept to a minimum but still manages to be ethereal and lyrical while imparting the story's message. We really loved the illustrations, again though fairly simple they still manage to be full of character and instantly draw you into the story.

That may be the case, but Petra's story moved us in ways we didn't expect.

Charlotte's best bit: When Petra imagines herself as an egg, what might hatch from an egg such as she?

Daddy's favourite bit: A fabulous little allegory for the sort of musings children dream up when they start to think about what they are now, and what they may become as time passes. Beautiful book this!

(Kindly supplied for review)

"Petra" by Marianna Coppo is out now, published by Thames and Hudson