Big Blue Train

After an earlier adventure with a Big Red Bath, Jarman and Reynolds send Ben and Bella on another imaginary adventure - a train journey to the seaside for a party.

Reynolds' pictures are lively and funny, and start with the children in their playroom, where they use their toys as part of a pretend game.

As they travel in the big blue train, each toy - polar bear, chimpanzee, leopard, camel and several farm animals - appear in their natural habitat; depicted in vivid double page spreads, which clearly show the differences between the various climates and terrains.

Jarman's catchy text includes repetition and rhyme, (both attractive features to the youngest of readers), which brings us safely back to the playroom in time for bath and bed.