New Frontier Publishing ISBN 9781912076567 & 9781912076574 Both £11.99
This delightful new series of picture books tips a nod to Jane Austen’s original characters. In Mr Darcy we are introduced to the refined, if a little snobbish, handsome gentleman Duck of that name who lives on the edge of Pemberley Park – alone. When he receives an invitation to tea from Lizzie and her sisters, who live in a rather ordinary park, he does not even bother to reply. Unfortunately for him, he keeps meeting her which results in one small embarrassing moment after another. Luckily, Bingley, Caroline and Maria are there to rescue him from the worst, enabling him to discover how preferable friendship is to loneliness.
The sequel is set in Spring: the ‘dancing season’. While Maria skips, Bingley trots and Caroline waltzes in her field, Mr Darcy is asked to join Lizzie and her sisters in a dance around the maypole. His polite refusal masks a deep sadness – despite his best efforts he knows he can only waddle. Once again his friends come to his rescue. Maria the mouse teaches him, while Bingley the horse and Caroline the cow make music for them. At last he is ready and despite going bright red whenever Lizzie speaks to him, he manages not only to join in the maypole dancing, but to enjoy it too.
These lovely, gentle stories will be enjoyed by 3 to 7-year-olds both in shared and independent reading. They will revel in the old fashioned politeness of, ‘Are you in good health?’ while they pore over the charming, winsome illustrations where top hats, bonnets, bow-ties and pince-nez abound! Watching for when Mr Darcy turns red will lead easily to discussions about what makes them feel embarrassed, while his dance lessons will allow them to talk about new skills they would like to acquire. Looking out for your friends and tolerating their frailties is a strong theme in this series, as is good manners. I look forward to more titles from this talented pair.
Sue Barrett, retired teacher and lecturer