Splash Day!

Splash Day is part of Barrington Stoke’s highly recommendable ‘Little Gems’ series, which brings together popular children’s authors and illustrators to produce stories with clever design features and super-readable layout that make them appealing and accessible to newly independent readers who may not be quite ready for full chapter books. It has the feel of a first chapter book, but has a reduced amount of text on each page and is perfect for Year 1 children still gaining confidence with phonics.

The simple rhyming story, about a class that has been awarded a day of water fights and paddling pools as a reward for working so hard, was inspired by a real visit to a school that holds a ‘splash day’ treat annually. The children in the class are equipped with goggles, wellies and inflatables, ready for a day of watery fun and even the teachers are ready to join in. There is plenty of rhyme and alliteration in the text, and a funny twist waiting at the end. Coupled with Nick Sharratt’s signature-style bold and colourful illustrations, the book is a joy to read.

We also enjoyed the jokes and puzzles inside the jacket.