Walker The Last Noo Noo

Winner of the 1995 Smarties Book prize (0-5 category), this picture book features Marlon, the monster, who loves his dummies, his "noo-noos". Marlon's granny says he's too old for a dummy, and all the other monsters tease him too. One day, Marlon's mum decides to take drastic action. She gathers up all the noo-noos she can find, and dumps them in the dustbin; but Marlon has secret supplies hidden all over the house, down the side of an armchair, at the back of the breadbin, in the toe of his wellington boot. Gradually his supply dwindles until Marlon has only one pink noo-noo left. Then he finds a blue one and plants it in the garden. The other monsters lie in wait for Marlon with a home-made noo-noo snatcher, and a fierce tug-of-war ensues. Neither side, it seems, is going to give way, when suddenly Marlon decides to let go, and all the other monsters fall backwards into the pond. "I've given up my noo-noo", Marlon tells his mum and granny, adding that he's planted one in the garden just in case he changes his mind. "Nonsense", says his granny. "Dummies don't grow on trees". The last picture in the book reveals she is quite wrong - for there is a flowering noo-noo tree! Jill Murphy has written and illustrated "The Worst Witch", "Geoffrey Strangeways", "Worlds Apart", "Five Minutes' Peace" (winner of the Best Books for Babies Award and shortlisted for the Children's Book Award}, "All in One Piece" (commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal), "A Piece of Cake" and "A Quiet Night In" (shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal). Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly Marlon, a crocodile, doesn't need a noo-noo, a pacifier, all the time: "Only at night or if he's a little tired." Unfortunately, his grandmother insists he's too old to have a noo-noo at all. This tale may not be as memorable as Murphy's Five Minutes' Peace and subsequent tales about the Large elephant clan, but it ably showcases her droll wit. For example, after Marion's mother throws away all the noo-noo's, Marion hides one in a boot; the accompanying image shows Marion shaking out the hidden object from the footwear as if it were the last M&M in a box. Parents and kids will also nod in recognition at the dialogue ("He looks ridiculous with that stupid big thing stuck in his mouth all the time"). The expressive crayon illustrations humorously portray Marion's insistence on his pacifier despite objections by his parents and grandparents, as well as teasing by his peers. In all, an appropriately lighthearted look at a situation that will hit close to home for many toddlers. Ages 4-up. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Booklist Ages 4^-6. Whether it's called a pacifier, a NUK, or a noo-noo, children have them, and they usually hate to give them up. Murphy, known for her funny animal takes on human family dynamics (Five Minutes Peace, A Quiet Night In), comes up with a solution to the familiar battle that possibly merits serious consideration. Granny monster thinks it's time for little Marlon to give up his noo-noo. Marlon's mom is less certain but eventually agrees. Marlon refuses to cooperate--until some bullying peers make him realize what he suspected for a while: the time is right. The solution he comes up with to soften the blow of losing his old "friend" is laugh-out-loud funny. As usual, Murphy's precise illustrations are decorated with myriad homey details and familiar objects, and the dialogue and situation are straight out of real life. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.