The Littlest Yak

A little yak can’t wait to be big, just like most kids.
A great uplifting rhyming story, which is also lovely and colourful.
Had a smile on my face after reading as it’s just a feel good kids book.
Definitely a story I will read again with my 4 year old, especially as just like yak he wants to be big.

Thank you For this advanced copy.

Small creatures can achieve big things.

For any child, growing up and getting bigger seems like the thing they want most (my littlest has been saying this recently about climbing on equipment in the park). There are lots of titles that show children how being small can have its advantages, how there may be things you can do that other people can't, that you don't need to wish your years away.

Here is an adorable example. with a yak called Gertrude, who thinks "there isn't any BIGNESS in me", but learns that big is more than just a size. She tries hopping and skipping, eating lots of veggies and reading lots of books (yay!!!) to make her thoughts grow... but remains small. It is only when the herd require a yak able to squeeze on a narrow ledge when trouble occurs that Gertrude realises her own 'bigness'.

The rhyme is very Seuss-ian, well-constructed and easy to read aloud, it flows well. Gertrude is particularly cute, the snowy scenery a nice change (hats, dark nights, some lovely constellations that adults might want to mention). The point it put across very well, the simple concept of 'bigness' one that toddlers will grasp.

Lovely story, fun to read aloud, small children will love the yaks and take the point.

For ages 3-6.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.

"As sure as the stars in the glittering sky, You'll be all grown-up in the blink of an eye."

A fantastic new picture book is clip-clopping its way to a bookshop near you in the form of Gertie...the littlest yak of all. This rhyming tale of heartwarming Himalayan hijinx is captured in beautifully illustrated snow scenes and breathtaking constellations.

Gertie is a yak feeling stuck in her smallness and she wants to grow UP and have greatness and tallness. Like all young children, Gertie just wants to be bigger and do all the things that grown-ups do. She comes up with a special 'growing-up plan' but no matter how many veggies she eats, books she reads or hills she clatters down, she just can't seem to get the 'bigness' she dreams of.

But then...a yak even teenier and weenier that Gertie gets into dire straits on a craggy cliff edge and it's up to our Gertie to gallop to the rescue. She realise that her smallness can do big things after all and saves the tiny trembling yak, making the herd extremely proud of her.

Yaks are an unusual choice for a character and reading Gertie was like a breath of fresh (mountain) air! She presents an excellent learning opportunity to discover more about real-life yaks: where they live, what they eat, how they keep warm - not all yaks are as fortunate as Gertie and her friends to have such a fabulous range of knitwear! The stunning starry night scenes are a wonderful talking point and could be used as a stimulus for some beautiful artwork.

'The Littlest Yak' has a lovely message for young children - that no matter how small you are, there is 'bigness' inside you. It would work well as part of a 'Marvellous Me' theme in the Early Years Foundation Stage and/or complement the Key Stage 1 Programme of Study for PSHCE when exploring the theme of 'ourselves' and what makes each of us special. After reading, children could be encouraged to think about what Gertie was good at and their own personal skills and strengths.

Our children really do seem to grow-up in the blink of an eye but we need to help them discover what makes them great like Gertie in the here and now and enjoy childhood to the full.

"Maybe one day you'll be huge, you'll be tall, Don't rush to grow-up when it's great being small"

With thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Uk for providing me with a digital copy of the book to review in advance of publication.

Stop press! The Yaks have arrived! This is yet another picture book which has been much anticipated in our house and the day my request to view it via @NetGalley was granted, our pre-ordered copy arrived. And, what a treat! For Gertie is every bit as adorable as we have been led to believe.

This tale is perfect as we head into seasonal change and the colder, darker half of the year. The Yaks in their warm woolly get-up makes for a superbly eye-catching front cover, with Gertie stealing the show in the centre. However, she isn't too happy about being the smallest of the herd...

Although Gertie is great at being small, she dreams of being all-grown up and as big as the others. But despite doing everything in her power to grow, it just isn't happening fast enough and Gertie is down in the dumps. Everything changes, though, when she is asked to do something that no other Yak can do - something VERY important. Can Gertie manage to do a BIG thing, despite her smallness.

Over the years we have read other stories about animals who wish they were bigger, braver, smarter or faster but NEVER about a yak. And who would have thought that yaks would make such brilliant picture book characters. Credit for this must be shared between debut author, Lu Fraser, for choosing such an unusual, stand-out creature and for making Gertie's story completely adorable, and Kate Hindley for bringing them to life in such a bold and unique way. The colour palette alone is as enticing as it is dreamy and, well, Gertie speaks for herself.

The plot is pacy and dramatic, with mountains of tension mixed with light-hearted fun. The scenery may be icy cold but it's sets the scene for a tale bursting with hearty warmth. The rhyming language is a delight and full of onomatopeia; pattering, clattering, plopping, springing. We particularly loved the opening line, "On the tip of the top of a mountain..."

The message, clear all the way through, is a classic but crucial one for little readers, most of who will have wished away their childhood at one time or another. You don't have to be big to do BIG things and while you're at it, don't wish the time away. Gertie's bravery and determination comes from within and that's what makes her special.

This is definitely a book to share together with a blanket, fire and a huge jug of hot chocolate and marshmallows. It evokes that wonderful cosy, satisfying feeling which is exactly what you need from a bedtime story.

The Littlest Yak published tomorrow, Thursday 3rd September and is available to pre-order.

A massive thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.

This children's picture book is a beautiful example of a rhyming story with a strong moral message.

The colourful illustrations also tell the story beautifully allowing visual learners the opportunity to engage more fully with this amazing text.

Celebrating the 'you right now' is a good message to send . Even though we all want to develop and grow, what we have right now is worthy and what better way to send this message to young children than in a captivating story with beautiful illustrations.

Gertie, OMGosh!
This is one of those very rare books where I instantly fell in love when I saw the illustrations & hoped with ALL my being, that I liked/loved the story!

I knew it used rhyme - which I will freely admit is not always my favourite type of book - so many use slightly boring & predictable words & ideas. Well, I'm glad to say nothing about this wonderful book is boring or predictable.

From the first moment we meet Gertie & learn she is little, we also learn she is GREAT at being a yak & her little yak hooves are 'splendidly grippy'. Maybe that's her superpower!

All the yaks around her are BIG but Gertie is 'the yak at the back, who is stuck with her smallness'.

Gertie comes up with her own special 'growing-up plan'. She tries to eat all the veggies she possibly can & reads LOTS of books to 'make her thoughts grow' but do you think anything worked? You'll have to read this gorgeous book to find out.

The message '... don't rush to grow up when it's GREAT being small' is there throughout the story & is so well-wrapped in beautiful words & the gift of skilled story-telling, it's a joy. Helping others is also there as a message & of course, being yourself. All valuable things to be explored after storytime, with children.

When most of the BIG yaks are slipping & sliding, or even just WAY TOO BIG, can Gertie manage to save the day? It's such an exciting adventure, I can imagine this book being read over & over again. It's very likely to become a reading MiniClub favourite, I'm sure.
Youngsters will love the idea of being able to do something BIG even when you're small.

The characters are visually presented so beautifully using a superb colour palette in illustrations by the VERY talented Kate Hindley. They'll warm your heart just as much as the story.

This could become a big, BIG favourite, maybe even the BEST storybook of 2020.

The Littlest Yak is a beautiful book, both in terms of the illustrations and the messages in the story. It is a charming, rhyming book to share with all members of a family. It reminds us of the value of each member and 'being in the moment'. We should appreciate the unique skills we have now and see that we all have something big to contribute, no matter our physical size. I will definitely share this message with my class.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's UK for this ARC.