ReadItDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week ending 7th June 2019: "Albi Learns to Swim" by Mikko Kunnas and Markus Majaluoma (Pikku Publishing)

A snowman book? In summer? Are you crazy?

Well look, if Olaf from Frozen can do it, why not nudge that carrot-nosed pretender aside and read all about a far more awesome fellow.

In "Albi Learns to Swim" by Mikko Kunnas and Markus Majaluoma, we reacquaint ourselves with a brilliant character who proves that snowmen aren't just for Christmas.

We utterly adored "Albi Visits the Dentist" back in December last year, and we're super-excited about this sunny summery follow-up.

Albi and his friends are off to the beach for their holidays, packing everything they can think of for an amazing day out.

Albi isn't just any ordinary everyday snowman though, and despite the hot sunshine and warm seas, he manages not to melt (finding a rather novel place to cool down!) but also helps lots of other folk at the beach to have the very best day possible. He's lovely like that, is Albi.

As with "Albi Visits the Dentist" this book once again combines a brilliantly entertaining (and beautifully translated) story with the most gorgeous painterly illustrations (and a great little cameo moment from the previous book. See if you can spot Albi's black-bristled toothbrush in one particular scene).

It's Albi's love of life that shines forth from every page like the brightest ray of sunshine. Littlies will adore it so don't save this one for Christmas, enjoy a snowy sunny summery time right now instead!

Sum this book up in a sentence: Another brilliant tale from Mikko and Markus, and more awesomeness from Albi.

"Albi Learns to Swim" by Mikko Kunnass and Markus Majaluoma is out now, published by Pikku Publishing (very kindly supplied for review).