ReadItDaddy's Book of the Week - Week Ending 21st September 2018: "Franklin and Luna Go To The Moon" by Jen Campbell and Katie Harnett (Thames and Hudson)

Picture book perfection once again for our Book of the Week this week. The fantastic return of Franklin and Luna!
"Franklin's Flying Bookshop" stormed into our Book of the Week slot back in August, and in that review we hinted that there'd be more to come soon from Jen Campbell and Katie Harnett, and their adorable duo Franklin and Luna.

So here we are, with another book that features the book loving dragon and his mighty little friend.

Franklin and Luna's flying bookshop is a roaring success, and the pair still have a mutual love for stories and books. But something has been bugging Franklin lately. A rare case of wanderlust. Both Franklin and Luna want to visit all the magical places they've read about in stories, but Franklin is no spring chicken - and as he approaches his 605th birthday (man, that's going to require a LOT of candles on his cake) he starts to ponder on an important question.

Where do dragons come from?

Neil Armstrong the Tortoise. I don't think there has ever been a more brilliantly named tortoise (other than Lewis Collins from "Tales from Fat Tulip's Garden" of course)

With the aid of Luna's rather brilliantly named tortoise Neil Armstrong, Franklin and Luna discover a secret. Dragons come from the moon and are still living there, even now!

Moon dragons! Wow!

Will Franklin finally be reunited with his long-lost family? There's only one way to find out. Bang, Zoom, Straight to the moon!

Deftly switching gears between producing one of the finest children's books about books, to a story that touches on the subjects of fitting in, learning more about yourself and where you come from and of course subjects of family and friendship, Jen and Katie have once again produced a book that is almost huggably brilliant with glorious writing and illustrations of the highest possible quality.

It's the sort of book you end up thinking about in random moments during the day and one that elicited such exciting discussions between me (the big ugly dragon) and C (the mighty girl who really is the powerhouse behind this blog).

Once again they've nailed perfection. Will there possibly be a third to round off the series nicely? C'mon Jen and Katie, don't leave us hanging!

C's best bit: The lunar dragons, so beautiful and shy.

Daddy's favourite bit: A story of yearning for knowing your place and being able to fit in, a story of friendship and families - but above all a story that once again instantly feels like a classic. Deserving of the highest awards and plaudits from all picture book fans, do not miss out on this one!

"Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon" by Jen Campbell and Katie Harnett is out now, published by Thames and Hudson (kindly supplied for review).