Florentine and Pig and the Spooky Forest Adventure by Eva Katzler

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Ill. by Jessica Mikhail. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408824399.
Highly recommended for 3-6 year olds. Themes: Friendship, Camping, Cooking, Crafts. This enjoyable picture book is the third adventure for Florentine and Pig. Each story written for 3-6 year olds blends a simple tale with craft and cooking activities. They are wonderful to read aloud and share with this very young audience.
Florentine and Pig are woken from a deep and peaceful sleep by a noise in the garden, is it the growling prowling Bog Mog monster? The two young adventurers decide to catch the scary creature armed with binoculars, a torch, hats, camping gear and of course a delicious supper (recipes included).
Eva Katzler's descriptive text is engaging, she uses rhyming, alliteration and imaginative descriptions with large and small font sizes and styles that move up, down and across the pages. Jessica Mikhail's complementary mixed media illustrations add humour and emotion to this picture book. Jess and Laura Tilli's recipes and craft ideas are great for parents to share family time with their children. There's Roasty-Toasty Campfire Kebobbles and Twinkly Jam Jar Lanterns to make and enjoy for a backyard sleepover.
Rhyllis Bignell

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