One Button Benny and the Dinosaur Dilemma by Alan Windram and Chloe Holwill-Hunter

You remember One Button Benny? He’s the robot with… erm…just one button. But, as you probably also remember, it’s an extremely useful button to be pressed only in emergencies. And, wow, are there some emergencies in this story! Seeing off a hungry dinosaur is the least of it. Benny and his friends are practising their dancing for the Friday night party when things get distinctly shaky…

This latest adventure in the life of Benny, his cat Sparky (I love Sparky and would happily give him a home) and his friends is as gentle and amusing as its predecessors. It has a warmth of friendship and togetherness and safety. Implicit is the knowledge that everyone will look out for all the others and that that unity will keep them secure. Alan Windram’s simple, but not simplistic, storytelling is one again illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter. In her hands robots of varying types become vibrant, dynamic and individual. Their silveriness stands out strongly against the dark tones of the backgrounds.

This is Benny’s third adventure and the books go from strength to strength, with author and illustrator combining well. Their presentation of the stories in words and pictures is engaging and wonderful for reading aloud and sharing.