Age 2-6

If only politicians would take the philosophy promoted by this picturebook to heart: that vilification is not the answer to antisocial behaviour. When Edwardo behaves badly, he is told how horrible he is, so he gets worse. It is only when his actions are interpreted generously and he is given opportunities and responsibilities, that he lives up to kind expectations and turns out to be nice.

Offer children chances, not punishments, is the theme: this is a guide to parenting in a few pages, in which the characterful drawings — breezy, relaxed, energetic — are as succinct as the text, demonstrating aptly that “messiness” can be a sign of light-hearted liberation. For children, the book is a series of funny adventures and misunderstandings with a reassurance that even if, inevitably, you are sometimes untidy, noisy or cruel, you still have the potential to be lovely (and you, too. could be a lion-tamer). Parents reading this at bedtime will be reminded how to forgive childishness and to treat children well. Endpapers with the title in many languages confirm that this is a message the whole world could take to heart

(Cape £10.99)

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