The Cow Tripped over the Moon (Tony Wilson, illus by Laura Wood, Scholastic)

We all know that travelling to the moon is a major undertaking; the first astronauts did a huge amount of preparation before taking off. We also know the classic nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon. This amusing picture book from Tony Wilson and Laura Wood offers a new perspective on the cow’s journey. She makes several unsuccessful attempts (as happens in real life) and is hugely discouraged, but with lots of  support she finally makes it on ‘Moon Attempt 8’. Her perseverance and achievement are acknowledged when her friends, the cat with the fiddle, the little dog, the dish and the spoon, compose the rhyme dedicated to her. This is an imaginative extension of the original nursery rhyme, written in easy-to-read, hilarious verse and supported by colourful, full-page illustrations. Young children, even at a pre-reading age, will love hearing this well-written verse read aloud and delight in its humour. This book will be requested over and over and will even be enjoyed by emerging readers. It is recommended for under-fives.

Margaret Hamilton is a former children’s book publisher. She now provides freelance publishing services and runs Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage in Blackheath