LJ's beautiful books

By Matt Carr Published by Egmont All ages This cover pops out at you like confetti and I love it! This story of Ron the rhinocorn is my picturebook of the month.  Ron knows that rhinos are meant to be grey, grumpy and solitary but he just doesn't feel that way. He, along with an amazing group of meerkats set out to change the rules and get colourful in the process... There are two aspects to this book that I love. The first is that it encourages creativity and expression (I too, love pink and stars...) The second is that the meerkats defend and help Ron (as well as paint pretty flowers). This book is bright, fun and full of colour, but ultimately the story is about Ron and the meerkats being brave. I heart it. Buy on Waterstones.com  

By Ursula Moray Williams Illustrated by Catherine Rayner Published by Macmillan's Children's Books Ages 5 and upwards This classic children's novel is a colourful, adventurous tale of an extraordinary cat who just wants an ordinary life.  It's so enjoyable and easy to read and the writing is expressive and humourous, especially for younger readers: "When Gobbolino saw the unpleasant grey mixture that the cook was stirring in the cauldron he felt sorry for the orphans, and when her back was turned he put a spell into the gruel that filled it full of sugar-plums."  Each chapter sees Gobbolino in a new home or adventure in his quest not be seen as a 'witch's cat' anymore. Each episode is summarised by a new name given to Gobbolino: 'the mouser/the royal cat/the performing cat', but what he wants more than anything is to be a 'kitchen cat' - which proves difficult when witch's cats have such bad reputations. (I