Second Best
Written by Jane Eagland and illustrated by Terry Milne
(Anderson, 9.99)
There are some refreshing twists and turns in this story about two stuffed toys and their limited lives in the bedroom of a girl called Ellie. The boredom Dog and Bear express is convincing, as is their rivalry for Ellie's affections. When a rare opportunity to leave the confines of the bedroom and visit Ellie's school comes round, Bear is surprised and sad not to be the toy chosen for the visit. Bear's feelings are touchingly described, 'The sadness was still there, a heavy stone inside him'. But the narrative time-line allows the reader to see what happens the following year when Ellie takes Bear to school this time. The illustrations are homely and likeable.
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