Don’t Spill the Milk

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Stephen Davies, illustrated by Christopher Corr

Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+

Published by Andersen Press, 2013

Around the world
Picture books

About this book

Penda lives in a tiny African village. One day, Mum announces she’s taking a bowl of milk to Dad, minding sheep up in the grasslands. Penda is desperate to take it instead. ‘Don’t spill it!’ warns Mum.

Penda’s journey is long: through dunes, over rivers up mountains, past camels, desert dins and masked dancers. Steadfastly, she goes onwards, always keeping the bowl steady.

But just as she hands Dad the bowl – SPLOSH! In falls a mango and the milk’s gone! Dad comforts Penda: better than milk, there was love in that bowl. They share the mango – and there’s a slice left for Mum too.

Penda’s journey winds its way across the generous double-page spreads of this beautifully detailed, vibrantly colourful story which brings the African setting vividly to life. A lovely book about trying hard, family and love.

About the author

Stephen Davies (born 28 July 1976) is a British children's author. He lived in Burkina Faso in Africa from 2001 to 2014 and since then has lived in Battersea, London.