Stories about toys coming to life are always about more than a simple fantasy. Children don’t think of play as something frivolous: for them, it’s about finding a voice, understanding the world around you, processing emotion, placing experiences in the hands of fictional characters to better comprehend them. These are always stories about saying goodbye, and learning how to grow up. Here are eight that are guaranteed to make your eyes water and your heart swell. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams WESTLE THEM TO THE DUNGEONS AND TOMOWWOW THEY WILL FACE THE TEWWIBLE WEALITY OF THE PUNISHMENTS WOOM!!! For the most part this is fairly subtly done (at least, I imagine a ten-year-old wouldn’t necessarily twig). There is one moment, I think, where Evans slightly overplays it: Yellow are timid, Blue are strong, Grey are wise and rarely wrong. Green are daring, Pink give cuddles, Orange are silly and get in muddles. Purple Wimblies understand The past and future of our land.” Therefore, part of this story is about acceptance: after Fidge is initially very sceptical towards Minnie’s toys and stories, she eventually learns to accept them and happily go along with them for the sake of her sister. Due to how her not doing this led to Minnie’s accident, followed by how crucial Minnie’s information was to her when she was in Wimbley Land, this moral lesson is very present by the end of the book.

Fidge and Graham’s personal quests, though a hook to hang the rest of the book from, are not really the funny bits. Those are mostly to do with the Wimblies, who can only communicate in the singsong rhyme scheme of their book, and whose self-conceptions are entirely based around the assumption that each color Wimbly is only good at one thing. (This is, in fact, key to the strategy that ends up overthrowing Wed Wabbit, but I won’t spoil everything for you.) The rhyming provides almost infinite opportunities for wit, and Evans takes full advantage of them. The Wimbley King’s apathy, for instance, is delightfully articulated by the fact that he frequently can’t be bothered to think of end rhymes: It was just TOO funny to resist laughter crawling up your throat. The way that Minne says things is hilarious, it's obviously in the name of the book that a 3year-old said that. Graham...*shakes head and grins* A very paranoid, awful cousin-of Fidge- he wont even eat toast, he doesn't like cold water, he hates rain and even cars! But through the story and exciting adventure he changed dramatically. Speaking of Fidge, the daring, reasonable girl, the main character. Minnie, although not physically present for the majority of the time, dominates the story. She insists that Fidge repeatedly must read to her from her favourite book The Land of Wimbley Woos. The Wimbley Woos are all a different colour (signifying their traits) and they speak in rhyme (all the time). Fidge hates the book (obviously!) Minnie also has a favourite toy, a rabbit, which she must have with her constantly. Fidge and Graham get separated when they end up in the Land of Wimbley Woos, which is basically at war, and everything is so weird and dark and hopeless... Books are absolutely crucial in getting us to think about new worlds': we speak to the award-winning author, Onjali Q Rauf

Q&A Asked about Wed Wabbit

I must say, throughout my group, Wed Wabbit was the one which everyone seemed to dread, due to a few people having reviewed it and slated it, to the point where it is almost being treated as either the book to get over and done with or as the book to just avoid. Amusingly, it has quite an infamous reputation throughout the group as being a bit dire. I particularly loved the way the book actually reads – it is perfect for reading out loud. The toy characters are vividly real and help the action along. Dr Carrot and Ella the Elephant almost act as parents to Fidge and Graham, providing calm and thoughtful advice. My favourite (of course) is Wed Wabbit, who shouts and cannot pronounce his r’s, which makes for many moments of hilarity:

She’s been flung into a bizarre world alongside three companions: two are deeply weird and the third is her awful cousin Graham. Being a ten year old can be hard – you’re capable of complex thoughts and emotions, yet others (usually adults) can still insist on infantilising you. Evans pokes fun at that tension in this sublimely funny book by placing a clever, spiky heroine into the very childish Land of the Wimbley Woos. So funny, and so sharp and dark and unguessable. What a book. Katherine Rundell, author of ‘Rooftoppers’ and ‘The Wolf Wilder

While occasionally sending up modern psychology (“I can’t survive a storm without my transitional object,” says Graham about a toy), Evans does a fine job of demonstrating how to get the best out of yourself and others, comedy slicing through any sentimentality like lemon. Great characters are the engine of comedy, and there are some memorable ones here. Over-the-top, theatrical Ella, toy elephant and life coach, is encouraging, promoting teamwork and openness to new possibilities. Dr Carrot, a giant plastic vegetable on wheels, belongs to Fidge’s cousin, who feels frightened much of the time. At one point Graham asks: ‘“What if I die?”’ Dr Carrot replies: ‘”What if you live?” But it’s us who can’t thank you enough/We know that your journey’s been rough/For such a brave fight/Your talents were right/You’re clever and stubborn and tough.” It's a surreal and strange tale that works because author, Carnegie and Costa children's Book Award shortlisted Lissa Evans, is a comic genius. This book is seriously laugh out loud funny and the writing sparkles with wit. A surprising, hilarious and read to be savoured that may help pre-teens to appreciate their home and family, and encourage all to take a careful look at the facial expressions of soft toys.

My point is that comedy should be something you think is important – not a “lesser option”, but a fine and noble art form, worth taking time and trouble over. Precision:

Now imagine you’re reading a line that’s obviously supposed to be funny, but it doesn’t make you laugh. THE WRITER HAS FAILED. For me it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I’m trying to manipulate the reader into’ - Alex Wheatle on fictional world building, creating new language and seeing yourself in a book Wed Wabbit is a story about the importance of family and friendship. Although Minnie only features in a small part of the book, it is her favourite book - The Land of the Wimbley Woos - and her favourite toys - Eleanor Elephant and Wed Wabbit - which are at the heart of the story. Her love for and understanding of her little sister makes Fidge able to achieve her quest and solve the problems facing the Wimbley Woos. In the process, she learns more about the importance of understanding others and playing to people's strengths. What is the effect of setting the story in a fantastical setting, where different rules apply? Do you find Wimbley Land believable? How well does the author bring it to life for you? Illustration from Gorilla by Anthony Browne One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Emily Sutton