Mila & Ivy by Katrina McKelvey and Jasmine Berry

Mila & Ivy is a very appealing picture book that tells the story of two young sisters, Mila and Ivy who love cardboard boxes, and often work together on cardboard box building projects. Mila is the designer, and her younger sister Ivy often helps her with ideas and the construction. Some of their quite incredible designs include robots, zoos, roller coasters and a time machine.

One of their favourite things are cupcakes and they decide to build an invention based around them. They create the amazing cupcake catapult. However, their harmonious relationship takes a turn for the worse when Ivy begins to tear their other designs into cardboard confetti. Mila becomes very angry and does not listen to Ivy’s ideas to make the cupcake catapult even better. In the end though, Mila realises that she needs Ivy’s help when her new and improved cupcake catapult fails.

From the interesting endpapers to the gorgeous illustrations, this is a book that all children will relate to especially if they love creating things out of cardboard and have siblings who may annoy them at times! Early Years teachers could use this as an introductory text to a STEM topic about making things from recycled materials. An enjoyable and entertaining read.

Themes: Sisters, STEM, Collaboration, Feelings, Relationships, Recycling.

Kathryn Beilby