Calm Down Boris! - Sam Lloyd

'Calm Down, Boris!' is a children's book by Sam Lloyd. The book is quite a large size and is a hardback. The pages are quite thick and can be wiped clean (as well as the cover).

The front cover is very eye catching and would appeal to all youngsters - it has the title of the book 'Calm down, Boris!' with a picture of a funny looking orange monster with furry mouth (you can put your hand in the back of the book, in to the mouth, like a puppet). It also reads 'Boris is a VERY lovable monster. If only he didn't get so carried away...'.

Our copy states that it's 'The winner of the Richard and Judy Best Book for Children award, Christmas 2006' (the book was first published in 2006). I bought our copy from WHSmith for around £8.00. It is available at most book stores and through most book schemes. The RRP is £8.99, although you can pick it up cheaper if you shop around (it's currently selling on Amazon for £6.59 with free delivery).

The 'plot' is as follows... Boris is getting ready to go to the park, you need to check his fur for bugs and brush his hair neat and tidy, Boris thanks you and gives you a 'KISSY KISSY KISSY'. We tell Boris to stop and calm down - too tickly. Boris then scoots to the park but gets hungry, you need to feed Boris some of his picnic. When Boris gets told off for nibbling our fingers he says sorry and gives you a 'KISSY KISSY KISSY' until we tell him to calm down - his kisses are too tickly! Boris gets to the park and loves to play with the other little monsters but the other little monsters don't like playing with him because he is too big and loud. Poor Boris, you must stroke his fur to make him feel better. Boris thanks you with a 'KISSY KISSY KISSY' and we tell him 'No Boris, Calm down Boris! Too many kisses! Too tickly!'. Suddenly a big dog jumps over the fence and the other monsters run and hide, but Boris runs after him screaming 'Nice dog! KISSY KISSY KISSY' and scares the big dog away - Hooray for Boris, now everybody wants to kiss Boris, no matter how tickly he is! KISSY KISSY KISSY, well done Boris!

The story runs over 10 pages and is fun and simple. I love the fact that silly old Boris becomes the hero in the end! This book is best read by an adult to a child (although my daughter does sometimes help me to read some of the smaller words). There are plenty of opportunities for children to interact with Boris throughout the story, I think this is half the appeal. My daughter is absolutely captivated by this book and always has a smile on her face throughout the book - it's definitely one of her favourites. You can open and close Boris's mouth (as if he's talking or kissing), but you can also wiggle and turn your hand to give Boris funny facial expressions - something which my daughter (5 years) loves and has even reduced her to laughing tears! You must also make sure you put on your best monster voice! I think this book would best appeal to children 2-7 years and thoroughly recommend.

Summary: A laugh out loud childrens book.