So usually when I see his work I associate it with children’s books a bit more on the hardcore side of the equation.

A Great Big Cuddle | Michael Rosen A Great Big Cuddle | Michael Rosen

The lines in this poem are also very short and most of the words are repeated making it very accessible to younger children just beginning to look at poetry including those in the Foundation State and early KS1. Riddell also seems capable of occasionally re-interpreting Rosen’s rhymes with a particularly child-centric view. Paired with Riddell's bold and beautiful illustrations you will have lots of fun reading this out loud. Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham.

A child s world with all its details and feelings - toys and games, animals and made-up creatures, likes and dislikes - is vividly conjured up in the most memorable, playful language, and Chris Riddell has produced some his most extraordinary pictures ever to bring this world to life.

VISUAL LITERACY NOTES 2017 Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist

In recent years he has had success writing and illustrating his own books, including the Ottoline stories and Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse, which won a Costa Book Award. The illustrations are so eye-catching my 2-year-old can easily find his favourites and the pictures give him plenty to talk about. There are a couple poems in here that preschoolers would probably appreciate more than their drooling, babbling brethren.

Still, roundabout the one hundred and fortieth time you’ve read “Bye, Baby Bunting” you long for something a little different.