Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 20 Oct 2026

Mr Jiggletoe by Emily Wesley, illustrated by Helen Morgan

I suggest that every community would benefit from a jolly character like Mr Jiggletoe. Nobody knows where he came from and where he lives but he always brings joy and colour wherever he goes with his rosy cheeks, pointy feet, distinctive clothes and his magical dancing style. He always starts by moving slowly, but before long he is ‘as fast and as free as a dragonfly’. He doesn’t even seem to need music but will perform a complicated jive using every part of his body in an intriguing manner.

 The plentiful illustrations give the reader an insight into his prowess and personality – I particularly liked the vividly coloured double page spread that shows him ‘waltzing beneath the stars and the moon’ along the clifftops with the small seaside town in the distance. We then get a glimpse of some of the townsfolk, who all really seem to appreciate his dancing along the street. But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, they are too busy running to escape the rain to notice that Mr Jiggletoe is dancing towards the beach, lured by a shape on the horizon.  As he steps onto the arch of a beautiful rainbow, only one little girl called Leah, who is busy digging in the sand, sees him vanish. 

And so the mystery begins: where can he be and why has he gone? Will he ever come back? All the townspeople are puzzled but, as the seasons change the whole mood of the place becomes downbeat. They don’t even seem to get pleasure from the little pleasures of life like ‘the taste of a strawberry on a warm summer’s day.’ It seems that the disappearance of the happy dancer has removed joy from everybody’s lives. Fortunately, Leah is a clever girl with a great imagination and she finds a solution that will bring back the smiles to everyone’s gloomy faces. I will leave you to read the book for yourself to discover exactly what happens next.

I recommend this picture book which would inspire some interesting discussion about what makes life worth living, whatever the weather. It could also be a starting point for some imaginative writing and some gorgeous rainbow inspired art work. Published by Tiny Tree Books, it should be available to buy from your local independent bookshop, who will happily order a copy if not already on their shelves.

Karen Argent

October 2026