Alex Latimer

With the annual Talent Show around the corner, Penguin tries to come up with an act, only to find that he doesn't seem to have any discernible talent. His friends Albatross, Bear, Rabbit and Fox all try to help him, but nothing works. Finally Penguin contents himself with organizing the show, so that even though he doesn't perform, he can remain involved. When his friends attempt to throw him a thank-you party, with dubious success, he finally realizes where his talent really lies: in party show more planning!

Penguin's Hidden Talent is the fifth picture-book I have read from South African author/illustrator Alex Latimer, and like many of the others it pairs an entertaining animal tale with appealing artwork. Any child who has confronted something like a talent show with bewildered uncertainty, and wondered if they had any talent at all, will take Penguin's story to heart, and will appreciate both the message of affirmation here, and the depiction of a supportive group of friends. show less

Alex Latimer delivers a comical spin to the classic "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," all the while keeping its intended moral. In it, Time has a problem. He's telling the truth but his his parents still punish him for all the things going wrong. Is it his fault the truth is so fantastical? Why is it so hard for them to accept that a ninja finished the last of the cake? Or that a sunburned crocodile broke the TV antenna?

Let's be honest, the title drove me to the book. I couldn't help it. If a show more children's book contains the "ninja" or "zombie" in the title, I'm picking it up. 99.9% (thus far) I put it right down. But Latimer offers us something great. Something that parents would have fun reading to their little ones and readers as old as third-grade (possibly older, but I'm winging the age recommendation here) can relate to. On the plus side, children will adhere to the message of telling the truth no matter what. I think that's something we can all relate to, no? show less

Lion bullies the other animals in this engaging picture-book from South African author/illustrator Alex Latimer, playing lots of mean tricks until finally everyone has had enough, asking Baboon to place an ad asking for help. Lots of strong creatures show up, from a bear to a tiger, but none have any luck defeating Lion. Then a tiny rabbit appears, and suggests a number of trials in which the leonine bully isn't triumphant. Has Lion met his match...?

An entertaining tale is paired with show more appealing artwork in Lion vs Rabbit, which offers a picture-book examination of such themes as bullying and the triumph of brain over brawn. The final portion of the tale has drawn some comparison to the classic Aesopic fable about the Tortoise and the Hare, as the rabbit here once again outwits his opponent. This is the fourth book I have read from Alex Latimer, and like his others, it has great child appeal, I think. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about bullies and bullying, or about using one's smarts to outwit a physically stronger adversary. show less

When Ben and his parents go on holiday, leaving his beloved dog Buster behind with Grandpa, the young boy leaves lots of instructional notes for his canine pal's temporary care-giver. Although he enjoys his holiday, Ben manages to find the time to send lots of postcards with further warnings and instructions. Grandpa, in the meantime, starts a course of dog training with Buster, and has a few notes of his own to give his grandson, when he returns...

The third picture-book that I have read show more from South African author/illustrator Alex Layton, following upon Pig and Small and Never Follow a Dinosaur, Stay! A Top Dog Story pairs an engaging tale of boy and dog (and grandfather!) with bright, colorful artwork. I really appreciated the fact that Buster's bad behavior is addressed through the story - something notably absent in the Naughty Mabel books I've been reading recently - but that his over-exuberant nature reasserts itself from time to time, even after training. Recommended to all young dog lovers, and to anyone looking for children's stories in which naughty behavior is addressed in a constructive way. show less