My monkey, Rowan, was given a copy of Monkey and Me by Lou and Ned for his first birthday last month. He loves it! Better still, I love reading it to him, and every time I do, I discover something new in Emily Gravett’s playful illustrations. The rhythmic repetition of the words, combined with its short-and-sweet length, means it’s perfect for toddler-sized listeners. I’m pretty sure it will be one of the first books that Rowan will be ‘reading’ back to me.

‘Me’ is a spunky little girl with an ever-so expressive face, and accompanied by her toy monkey, she enthusiastically recounts a visit to a collection of animals. The pair mimick the animals’ movements along the way – an ideal way for kids to anticipate what comes next. Apparently Emily wrote the book for a fidgety little friend of hers and it’s easy to imagine why.

This is Emily’s fourth book, and many people would know her previous titles: Wolves (winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2005), Orange Pear Apple Bear (inspired by Lynn Truss’s Eats, Shoots and Leaves!), and Meerkat Mail. Her latest book is due out in Australia in October – this one has flaps and a fold-out map! Can’t wait to read it… For small and not-so-small fans, Emily’s website is well worth a visit, with some fun games and printable activities

This blog began from the seed of a thought planted in a conversation with Lou at the first birthday party for my little boy, Rowan, on August 5 2007.

We had been sending each other links to blogs we were enjoying in the context of our newfound identity as mums. The two of us had always dreamed of running our very own bookstore. Meanwhile, a blog of our own with children’s books at its heart seemed a perfect idea.

While at that very same auspicious occasion, we had a book-related birthday cake – I attempted a Hooray for Fish cake for Rowan. Hooray for Fish was, and still is, one of Rowan’s all-time favourite books.