ReaditDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 2nd February 2018 - "Rabbit and Bear - Attack of the Snack" by Julian Gough and Jim Field (Hodder Children's Books)

One day there's a colossal splash! The quiet and meandering waters of the local lake are upset when something strange crash-lands in the water. 

Of course, Rabbit is hugely curious and can't wait to find out what it is. Bear, being far more cautious (read: petrified) isn't sure that it's a good idea to go investigating. 

The two friends will both need each other's help to solve the mystery but is anyone ever sure that Rabbit is more of a help or a hindrance? 

We often talk about the 'friendship' trope in children's books (particularly picture books) and what Julian and Jim achieve far more effectively than so many other authors and illustrators is to beautifully describe both lyrically and visually those moments where not only do you want to cuddle your friends and tell them how great they are, but how, quite often, you'd like to slam their nose in a door just to wake them up a bit!

Poor Owl. Prison? That's a bit harsh!

The supporting animal characters are equally as hilarious as Bear and Rabbit (and seasoned fans of Jim's work will definitely recognise that mouse from...somewhere else!), we love books that give picture book fans a bit more of a word count to get their teeth into but don't over-labour their stories. This is spot on. Oh and then there's Jim's art...

Oh my, should've sent a poet. So beautiful

Just look at it. Is that not gorgeous?

Another corker from Julian and Jim. Go geddit!

"Rabbit and Bear: Attack of the Snack" by Julian Gough and Jim Field is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books (kindly supplied for review).