145. The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock illustrated by Nadia Shireen

The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock illustrated by Nadia Shireen
Published April 2012 Noisy Crow

From the publisher:
Mr and Mrs Deer would love to have a baby, and one day their wish comes true: they find a little antlered bundle on their doorstep. But the baby keeps roaring, so they ask for advice from family and friends, who sent them off to fetch what they think the baby needs. But it's very peculiar, because each time Mr and Mrs Deer come back from their errands, someone has gone missing. 

Today we have another of my favourite kind of picture book.  Very funny and a tiny bit wicked.

When a 'Dear little baby' gets left on their doorstep, Mrs Deer is thrilled...Mr Deer on the other hand thinks that the baby looks peculiar.  It does indeed look peculiar, it is as big as a laundry basket, has blue fur, and quite a lot of teeth!  This baby is also a very fussy eater, it won't eat toast, cabbage, cheese,  cucumbers or cauliflower, so Mr and Mrs Deer seek the help of their friends.

This is when it starts to get very mysterious.  When each of the visitors go in to see the baby...they seem to disappear?  It's not until Granny Bear comes along, knowing 'exactly what to do' do we find out what this dear little baby has been up to, and what this dear little baby really is.

Children will like this book because they will figure out (before anybody else) what is happening to all of the visitors.  They will especially like what happens when Granny Bear comes along and  decodes the baby needs to be burped.  There is even a giggle at the very last page when Mr and Mrs Deer may have lost their dear little baby, but they do find themselves a new pet...that the readers may just recognise!

Who will like this book: Boys and girls age 5+
Read it if you like: Class Two at the Zoo by Julia Jarman