Tiger Press ISBN 9781848696792 £12.99
Wilfred and Olbert’s Totally Wild Chase is exactly what it says it will be. Two friends race to find a rare butterfly in order to win the Nature Discover Prize but learn a valuable lesson along the way. The first half of the book shows the two friends competing with each other, and on many occasions, sabotaging the other in order to get ahead. However, when Olbert is in trouble, Wilfred makes the decision to help his friend rather than studying the very butterfly they have been chasing. From this point on, the pair work together and have an altogether more successful time, finally reaching the butterfly together, meaning that they share the prize. This book teaches about the value of teamwork and friendship which are such valuable skills for this age range. This book has lots more opportunities for education, especially where nature is concerned. Every page is filled will illustrations of animals, some common and some more extraordinary which will inevitably provoke more questions. This is not the type of book that you can just pick up and read to a group of children however. The first half of the story is quite confusing to read because the two characters are following separate paths which impact upon each other meaning that a lot of jumping back and forwards is needed. However, to read and explore with an individual child, the possibilities are endless. Puzzles on every page also mean that you return to the story time and time again, and you will always spot something new that you missed the first time. Age range: 3– 6years.
Jasmine Langdon, Year 2 Teacher, The Meads Infant and Nursery School, Milford Haven.