Rosie the hen . . .

. . . went for a walk.

I could not have a series on picture books without focusing on Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins. First published in 1968, it remains one of the best examples of what a really good picture book can be. It should be in every child’s collection and shared over and over again.


“He’s behind you!”

The youngest children follow Rosie as she walks through the farmyard and gets back in time for dinner. Older children soon realise that there is a lot more going on than is in the words they hear. And that’s the secret – the fox is never mentioned, Rosie seems to be oblivious to him and yet all sorts of things are happening on the page. Is Rosie very cool, very stupid or just plain lucky? Who knows, but picture books like these provoke young readers to be actively involved in making meaning as they fill the gaps in for themselves.

Look at those frogs – so simple and yet absolutely brilliant.