Every now and then a children’s book is so distinctively creative that it invites the reader to participate in its magic and fire up their imagination. Ten-Word Tiny Tales is one such book.

Joseph Coelho has created 20 tiny tales, each made up of only 10 words, and the art work for each tale is uniquely portrayed by 20 illustrators, several of whom you will know, others you will not, but all will affect you in some way or other. Could you illustrate your own response to a tale? Or maybe you will be inspired to write your own tiny tale to accompany an illustration.

This is a book teachers could use with upper primary students as it offers scope for creative writing and/or graphic representation.

Ten-Word Tiny Tales is one of the picture books that has enthused and delighted me the most this year. I am sure readers will be captivated by the brilliant possibilities in the words and images and I guarantee they will not be bored. For ages 6+.