Once upon a time: A pop-in-the-slot storybook by Nick Sharratt

Walker Books, 2011 (c 2002). ISBN 9781406331929.
(Age 2-5) In this imaginative and slightly irreverent take on the traditional fairy tale where the princess makes three wishes, Nick Sharratt has produced a fun picture book that young children will love. It is different to the usual pop up book, in that it is a pop in the slot book, which allows young children to choose their own picture to complete the story, often with hilarious results. Imagine the results when the beautiful princess has the choice of a duck, toilet or fairy to grant her the three wishes. And what if the wishes were a pencil case, marrying a frog or being a pop star?
The illustrations are in bright colours and the princess is cartoon like with a range of amusing expressions. The pop in the slot idea gives active children the opportunity to be fully involved in making the pictures and story come alive. The pictures that go into the slots are on sheets in a pocket in the front of the book and will need to be carefully pressed out and perhaps put into a plastic bag to keep them together once they are out of their sheets.
Providing lots of funny alternatives, as well as pictures for the traditional story, this will provide children with different things to giggle about each time they look at the book. It will appeal to both girls and boys as there are things like a magic toilet that will interest boys and a fairy to interest girls.
I think that this could be an amusing choice for a gift to young children, especially if you would like a different storyline each time it is read.
Pat Pledger