Wednesday 14 September 2016

Plenty of Love to go round by Emma Chichester-Clark (Jonathan Cape PB)

The eternal and ever-present popularity contest between dogs and cats is always rich subject matter when it comes to children's books...
Of course, we normally root for "Team Cat" but we adore Emma Chichester-Clark's Plumdog. Plum is by far our favourite dog, and we couldn't wait to dive into Plum's latest adventure.

Only this time our allegiance was severely tested. Plum's new neighbours own a rather sleek, mysterious and utterly charming moggy called Binky and of course everyone instantly falls in love with this feline charmer.

Plum soon begins to feel a bit pushed to one side. Everyone loves Binky and coos in awe at the moggy's escapades. But Plum is more than a little bit jealous and wants to get to the bottom of what the cat is really up to!

Silly old Plum, doesn't she know that there's plenty of love to go round and isn't love the greatest thing?

Perhaps Plum's feelings can change to friendship as Binky really is awesome. Emma Chichester-Clark explores the tricky subjects of feelings and jealousy marvellously in this gorgeous picture book. We really can't get enough of Plum's antics and Binky is a brilliant new character that can come and stay at our house any day!

Charlotte's best bit: Plums initial quite snorty reaction to finding out that there's a CAT, yes a CAT next door! The cheek of it!

Daddy's favourite bit: A gloriously entertaining story wrapped around one of the best-loved characters in children's literature. Hooray for Plum and an equally meowish Hooray for newcomer Binky!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Jonathan Cape PB)

"Plenty of Love to Go Round"

Written and Illustrated by Emma Chichester-Clark

Published by Jonathan Cape PB

Publication Date: 1st September 2016