Mabel and the Big Wide World

"A heart-warming picture book aimed at younger children who are feeling anxious and scared. This book shows them that things are not always as scary as they seem; they just need to have a bit of courage and channel their inner Mabel! The images in this book are stunning, with detailed collages of landscapes, flowers, and life in and out of the barn. Not only is this book about overcoming anxieties but it can also be used as a reference book for exploring the seasons. Mabel and the Big Wide World is a truly wonderful book that any child below the age of 7 would be delighted to read."

* School Reading List *

"Jane Porter’s distinctive richly coloured, collage style illustrations together with Paul Stewart’s storytelling written from Mabel’s viewpoint make for a reassuring book to share with young children at home and in an educational setting."

* Red Reading Hub *

"Crisp and appealing collage by Jane Porter, making patterned compositions and telling the story of Paul Stewart's Mabel and the Big Wide World, out 6 June. About a mouse who overcomes her reluctance to go outdoors."

-- Nicolette Jones

"..This story should help alleviate the fears young children might have about stepping outside their comfort zone. Jane Porter’s collage style scenes showing Mabel’s journey towards self-confidence are a great complement to the author’s telling."

-- Jill Bennett * Books for Keeps *

"The prizewinning duo of Paul Stewart and Jane Porter make ingenious use of the smallest member of a mouse family to tell a heart-warming story... Jane Porter's brilliant and lively illustrations perfectly capture how feelings of anxiety and uncertainty can change into delight, confidence and freedom.  A lovely positive story for sharing."

 

The illustrations are colourful, collage-style pictures. Mabel and her siblings, Martin, Marcel, Millicent, Max and Marjorie are all identified on the inside of the front cover, allowing children to spot them through the story and build an idea of their character. Children might enjoy creating their own mouse sibling - or a new family of mice using their own name and others starting with the same initial letter to draw pictures and create stories about.   A lovely positive story for sharing

-- Sue Wilsher * Reading Zo