Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, May2015 Stuck at home with chicken pox, Joey needs a spotty friend to play with. Surely leopard, giraffe, snake, cheetah or even ladybird would all be fun to play with? But no one wants to play with Joey! Every animal takes a look at his spots and runs! Luckily Lottie has got spots too. Joey and Lottie have lots of fun playing together and, when they are spot-free, they return to the park to play with the animals. Will everyone want to play now? It looks like it until they take a close look at Joey’s face! A great story with a surprise ending. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Joey has chicken pox and has to stay at home. But being ill is boring. His mother tells him he can play with a friend, but only a spotty friend as he is infectious, so he sets off to search for one. Will Joey find anyone to play with who isn't scared of his spots?
A great story to read to poorly little ones, stuck at home in bed. Richard Byrne's illustrations are detailed and interesting - his first two picture books were nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
"Born in a hospital. Brought up in Brighton. Learnt to colour-in in Eastbourne. Worked in graphic design. Worked in Brighton, London, Manchester and Yorkshire Hills. Worked for myself.
"Met Philippa somewhere along the way. Had two children. Had the mid-life crisis. Bought my first guitar. Got the urge to create a children's book. Got an agent. Got a book deal. Got another book deal."
Richard now lives in Chichester so that he can be closer to family, old friends, the coast, and the equator.
