Another gem from Gecko Press, The Best Singer in the World is a sweet tale about a little boy who overcomes stage fright. Perfectly pitched for early primary school aged children, this book would be a wonderful starter for anyone wanting to talk to their child about stage fright or anxiety in general.
I’m liking
This book has beautifully detailed illustrations that have the feeling of a pencil sketch. There’s a lovely sense of attention to detail in the images and although the images are simple, they are very engaging.
This books shows sibling relationships in the nicest way: Big Brother is kind to his little brother (we currently read it as ‘sister’ in our house) and sings him funny songs but the power is not all one-way. When Big Brother needs a helping hand, Little Brother says encouraging words that help Big Brother shine. The role of adults in this story is minimal (an encouraging teacher) and the children find their own way.
The conclusion
This book has a longer storyline than some picture books and I think the length and content mean that it’s probably best suited children aged to 4+.
This would be a great book for a teacher to read with a class or for a parent to read to help their child feel braver. Another gem from Gecko!