There’s so much to like in this exuberant tale of Steve – a jazz-loving, dancing gorilla – and his friend Antonio, the zookeeper who plays saxophone at night. There is the fine balance of vivid colour, loose line and clean white space, which makes the images zing off the page. The sharply edited text is a pleasure to say and to hear. And there’s the delicious story of Steve as he goes out into the Rio de Janeiro night in search of Latin grooves and good times. Steve Goes to Carnival is one of the funkiest books for readers aged 3 and up in many years.

Mike Shuttleworth