This has to be a modern day classic for young children.

**THE STORY**

”In this little book
With your little eye
Take a look
And play ‘I spy’”

So begins the book, and as you read it, it becomes apparent that it is an “I spy” book, allowing the children to search for familiar nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters as they read the story.

If I write the first 2 pages, the pattern of the whole story can be understood.

“Each Peach, Pear, Plum
I spy Tom Thumb”

At this stage, children should be encouraged to look for Tom Thumb, and there he is, hiding in the apple tree.

Turn the page…

“Tom Thumb in the cupboard
I spy Mother Hubbard”

Look for Mother Hubbard- children find it funny that the only part of Mother Hubbard they can see is her bottom!

The whole of the story is written in this rhyming format. A character is introduced, and can be found in the picture on the opposite page, and then another character is introduced, to be found on the next page.

So the story continues, introducing Cinderella, the Three Bears, Baby Bunting, Bo-Peep, Jack and Jill, Wicked Witch, Robin Hood, Plum Pie.

Finally, we spy “EVERYONE” and there, enjoying the plum pie, are all the characters met in the story.

**THE ILLUSTRATIONS**

The illustrations are very detailed and colourful with lots to look at and lots to talk about.

Each picture relates directly to the text and is in a box on the opposite side to the text and above the text is a small picture.

When children are looking for the new character, they do have to look quite carefully I like the one where Cinderella in introduced. Look carefully at the cellar picture and there’s her hand holding a feather duster- she is behind a large barrel. The Three Bears are quite difficult to spot, but there they are outside the window.

The last page includes all of the characters having a feast of plum pie; all looking happy and as though they are enjoying themselves.

The pictures are very appealing for young children as there is something to look at in each scene.

**BITS OF INFORMATION**

The book was first published in 1978 by Kestrel Books
My copy is published by Fontana Picture Lions, 1980, ISBN 0-00-661678X.

The book can be bought very cheaply from amazon.

**OTHER BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR**

Peepo!
Burglar Bill
Funnybones
Please Mrs Butler
The Baby’s Catalogue
Cops and Robbers
Heard it in the Playground
Starting School


**WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK**

Firstly, it has well and truly stood the test of time, to become a firm favourite in schools.

The book makes excellent use of fairytale and nursery rhyme characters, which children tend to be familiar with, and literally plays an eye spy game with children. They really do enjoy looking for the characters and take great pleasure when they find them, feeling as they do so that they are a part of the story.

The fact that the book rhymes all the way through makes it an excellent introduction to reading. Children can quickly learn the story and read along with you as you read it. This gives them a sense of security and confidence about reading.

Whether you are reading this to your own child or a group of children, the reactions towards the book will usually be positive, and if children don’t know specific characters the book is a great lead I to reading other nursery rhymes and fairy tales.

Can be read to children from a very young age because of the nature of the text and the familiarity of the characters.

Thanks for reading

Daniela