Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 13 Sep 2026

Finding Mr Tibbles by Emma Yarlett

Sharing lift the flap picture books with very young children is one of the best ways to get them excited about books as objects. As well as looking and listening, they get the chance to help build the story as they anticipate what is hiding behind each flap and then, with a bit of help, they can open and close carefully before moving onto the next page. I can remember doing this with all of my three grandchildren when they were really tiny and watching them tense their bodies with anticipation as they focussed their eyes and hands to co-ordinate.

This one looked very inviting and so I decided to share with Jacob, aged twenty months who already has a growing book collection that includes several lift -the flap classics such as ‘Spot the Dog’ by Eric Hill and ‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell. 

He was keen to name the animals shown on the front cover and looked puzzled when I pointed out the boy holding the sign that shows a missing cat. I explained that we needed to help him find the cat named Mr Tibbles which gave us a clear purpose as we turned the first page.  The boy is shown once again looking very sad as he gazes out of the window – a bit confusing for my friend because an outline of a cat is shown drawn on the window so he shouted triumphantly ‘Look the cat!’

The quest for Mr Tibbles continues as the boy knocks on multiple doors in the neighbourhood. I liked the detailed interiors that are revealed behind each door which would engage a slightly older reader as they look for clues to find the elusive cat. Jacob slowed down a bit to enjoy the clown’s jolly house with its helter- skelter slide that he traced down with his finger. He also spent a while figuring out how to open the mermaid’s house with a shell roof that pulls down to reveal a house full of fish and pillows made with pearls.He squealed with pleasure when at last we found the huge stripey cat hiding in a tree – or is it a Tiger?

The final pages show Mr Tibbles welcomed home to another intriguing house packed with animal friends including an elephant squeezed into the bath which made Jacob laugh out loud! Lots more for us to look at closely and talk about as he searched for Mr Tibbles lying happily in a hammock. A few hours later I spotted him turning the pages of the book with his toy elephant and showing him that same funny picture – I suspect that this might be a regular read.

I recommend this imaginative picture book that will also be enjoyed by older children who will linger over the plentiful illustrations and hopefully be inspired to create their own hoses with houses that reflect the distinctive characteristics of their owners.  It is published by Walker Books and should be available to buy from your local independent bookshop who will order you a copy if not already on their shelves. 

Karen Argent

September 2026