Looking for a something cool and quirky for early school age? Check out the reissue of Emile by Tomi Ungerer.
Phaidon is responsible for the return of this children’s book from 1960, which was (and still is) aimed at ages 5 through to 8. The age that most kids really start to discover the joy of reading.
The midcentury illustrations in the 32-page hardback book are obviously a pull, but like all children’s books, it is the storyline that pulls them in and keeps them coming back.
Emile is an eight-legged ‘hero’ who has twice as much courage and four times as many legs as most people.
When deep-sea diver Captain Samovar is attacked by a ferocious shark, Emile comes to his aid. Grateful to his rescuer, the Captain invites him to stay at his house, where Emile sleeps in a bath full of salt water.
Emile turns out to be the most wonderful octopus. He is a gifted musician (able to play three instruments at the same time) and a great lifeguard, teaching children to swim and saving people from drowning.
One day, Emile and the Captain, who works on a police boat, encounter a suspicious-looking boat in the ocean, with a dangerous group of smugglers on board…
If you want to know how the crime-fighting, eight-legged hero, you will have to pick up a copy of the book. Or rather, pick up a copy for your child or children.
In fact, you can pre-order now ahead of the 31st January release date, priced at £12.95.
Find out more about the book at the Amazon website
