Halibut Jackson by David Lucas (Andersen, 10.99, ISBN: 1-84270-218-1)
We gradually find out about Halibut Jackson's talent as a tailor through the changing background scenes. Halibut Jackson ensures he is dressed in stupendous outfits that perfectly match each scene, so he is camouflaged.
This allows him to avoid his shyness. It's a shame that the character is pretty much in the same position each time, so children can find him fairly quickly. The text is minimalist, and carefully crafted so that it is easy to read out. There are some nice repetitions and build-ups, and because of the detailed illustrations with their discrete themes and settings, the book works on several levels too. For example, in the library (which is the kind of library most of us would like to spend time in) you can compare the different types of visitors and imagine what books they might be reading, including Halibut Jackson, of course. And in the park there are some distinctive and amusing looking birds and tree-fruits to name. You may want to develop a pattern and camouflage activity with children, using the themes in this book.
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