3 of our favourite new picture books

Star in the Jar by Sam Hay and Sarah Massini (Egmont, £6.99)
I always think siblings who are kind to each other make excellent role models, and that’s one of the reasons we’ve enjoyed reading Star in the Jar again and again after receiving it to review. It is written from the perspective of a big sister who tells the story about her little brother, finding a star and trying to find its rightful owner. The little brother ends up keeping the star as a treasure and taking it everywhere since it doesn’t seem to belong to anyone–until one day they see a message written on the sky. Star in the Jar, which was out last week, makes for a great bedtime story with sweet illustrations and text the complement each other.

Dino Duckling by Alison Murray (Orchard Books, £12.99)
When I read Dino Duckling aloud to Big Boy the other day after receiving it to review, another mum who overheard us commented that it seemed like a great book. And I couldn’t agree more. The charming and funny picture book Dino Duckling tells the story about a dinosaur who is the odd one out in a duck family, and although he can do many of the same things as his siblings he realises he can’t fly and therefore can’t join them on their journey south. The book, inspired by HC Andersen’s Ugly Duckling and aimed at under 5s, has become one of my favourite picture books because it reinforces family values and tells the story of a family that sticks together and hatch a creative plan to help each other. Dino Duckling was published in October 2017.

Friends for a Day by Neal Layton (Hodder Children’s, £6.99)
It’s always a bonus if children’s books manage to combine facts and fiction, and after reading the charming picture book Friends for a Day by Neal Layton, which we received to review, I felt Big Girl and I could discuss insects and lifespans. The book, which is a reissue, tells the story of the kind bear Bartholomew who meets a bug looking for help to get to the city quickly since he is a one-day bug. Bartholomew and the bug become friends and enjoy a great day together, reminding us of the joy of travelling and making the most of our lives. The lighthearted Friends for a Day features colourful illustrations, and I like that there’s a page with facts about the animals at the end.