Whether one is of warlike sentiment or totally in opposition to war, Maurois' wonderful parable about the essential folly of war is not to be missed. His first novel, Les silences du colonel Bramble, was a witty but socially realistic account of that experience.

The story offers endless possibilities for discussion in the classroom around the subject of politics and international conflicts, but most of all it will be enjoyed for its ingenious plot and zany characterisation. Perhaps there is a wish fulfilment element here in the final ability of both sides to appreciate what the other has to offer and in the mutual deconstruction of prejudices. I bought this book for nostalgia purposes as I enjoyed it so much in junior school back in the 1970s but had it taken back off me at the end of summer term by teacher before I had chance to finish it. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time .I would recommend this book to a confident reader in KS2, it could also be used as a theme book when looking at issues of equality. To my great fortune, I recently happened across a passing reference by someone on the internet about the book (in a totally different context) and was able to finally obtain the author's name, an accurate title, and an ISBN for this jewel of an allegorical children's book. The Fattypuffs live lives of leisure and love eating and relaxing where the Thinifers love exercise and eating little. There have been many reprints and different editions and even (anathema from my point of view) new sets of illustrations but there may still be some of you who have not come upon the book before, so I had better explain. As it points out in an introduction that I think has been added since I used to read it as a child, this book also has some strong points to make about tolerance which are very important in this troubled world.

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Has anybody heard of “ Puffin Twink andWaggle “ delightful stories for wartime bedtime reading, my father liked them as much as I did sheer escapism. King Plumpapuff of the Fattypuffs is made constitutional sovereign, while the Thinifer president is made his chancellor. I would also check out: How to Live Forever (though that is more for 2-6 years) by Colin Thompson, The House That Sailed Away by Pat Hutchins and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster(all of which I have also reviewed). If a book sticks in your mind so strongly that you spend more than 20 years trying to find it again thats a darn strong recommendation to it. It is accepted by you that Daunt Books has no control over additional charges in relation to customs clearance.

From France comes this hilariously nonsensical account of an underground land divided into two countries. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.During World War I he joined the French army and served as an interpreter and later a liaison officer to the British army. I remember distinctly this being one of the first books I'd set myself to read back when I was a little kid. There's always a recipe for choux buns in the back if the thought of Brexit makes you weep after reading this. Can I describe this as a geopolitical children’s book with an eventual message of peace and reconciliation? Apparently -- and obviously, in retrospect -- this is an anti-war allegory, which completely passed over my head.