Aliens

Why? by Lindsey Camp illustrated by Tony Ross Andersen Press

ages: 3-5

buy from: Amazon | Amazon UK

Just because you liked Kate Lum's What! does not mean you will be able to appreciate Why?. For anyone who has ever lived with a three year old, the question "why?" becomes as unwelcome in the home, as swear words do ten years down the line. It has caused nannies to quit, parents' hair to go grey and other domestic calamities to happen. Thus seeing it happen to someone else maybe too frustrating.

For the philosophical among us, "why?" is a great challenge. That frequently repeated question changes the mundane into the cosmic, the hum-drum into the bizarre. Thus, the book will be a laugh.

We meet father and daughter caught up in the "why?" stage, in Why?. Lily says it before getting dressed, while waiting for breakfast and in the supermarket. She questioned story plots, wet grass avoidance and of course, bedtime.

Tony Ross's familiar and enjoyable coloured pencil illustrations show the gradual patience loss of the father. In contrast, Lily's innocence and curiosity is perfectly depicted. For after all, asking "why?" is how we learn about the world. It is not a malicious act.

Lindsey Camp's story has a 180 degree twist, when she introduces a Thargon spaceship into the tale. Lily's constant questioning muddles the aliens until they leave to reconsider their plans.

Why? comes complete with a guide to the Thargonian alphabet and a title page that contains the word "why" is dozens of languages (Hebrew is left out). Why? will be amusing for some and a nightmare for those who find it too close to home.

The TrogloBytes by Graham Philpot Dolphin

ages: ?

buy from: Amazon UK

Art imitating life imitating something else, is a concept one can appreciate in literature. Children's books imitating computer games imitating Japanese television cartoons, is not. It does not work and there is no need for it. The TrogloBytes falls into the latter category and should be avoided at all costs.

"But I can't get him interested in books at all!" parents often say. This book will not help him. It is far more confusing than a video game. One can only take a passive role in the battle against time. Unlike most best-selling video toys, it is boring.

One of the main problems is that the story takes too long to become even slightly engaging. The reasons for that are the large number characters with overly complicated roles.

The pictures could have saved the useless text except that they are perplexing , jammed with details and speech bubbles. They are difficult to follow and aggravating to a reader who is constantly being interrupted to answer the questions of baffled children desperate to comprehend what is going on. The good guys look similar to the bad guys and they all have names that are designed to produce a giggle, but they don't.

Philpot has obviously received a two book deal. There is a warning at the end that the villains, Captain Hacker and the Hackerbytes, will return. If sales are low enough, perhaps the publisher will cancel.

If you are on an impulse buying children's book spree and the child is in charge, put your foot down at The TrogloBytes and take them to McDonald's instead. The result will be more nourishing to their brains and you won't have to take the contents of the expedition home.