Pupils at Westfield Primary Community School in York review other new children's books...

Angelina And Henry, by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig (Puffin, £4.99)

I liked the story of the two mice Angelina and Henry. Angelina was a very brave mouse and she looked after Henry when he was scared.

When Uncle Louie asked them to collect firewood they forgot and were too busy exploring until Henry's tummy rumbled. He was hungry. It was dark. Did they hear a cat? What about the firewood? When Uncle Louie found them they thought the lanterns he was carrying were cats' eyes.

I thought this story was about friendship and helping each other. I liked the illustrations and thought the woods looked scary and the mice looked cute.

Abigail Wragg, seven

The Birthday Bash, by Jeremy Strong, illustrated by Ian Cunliffe (Puffin, £3.99)

Characters: Mrs Patagonia Clatterbottom, Ziggy, Smudge, Flo, Corkella, Miss Snitty, Mad Maggot, Jiggling Jim, Dick Lurkin.

Scene: Pirate Ship.

What Happens: At Mrs Patagonia's Pirate School Jiggling Jim teaches the pupils trick routines to get at Dick Lurkin's school, and they have lots of fisticuffs.

How the story ends: Dick and Mrs Patagonia have an argument. The children think it is brilliant. Then Dick swings off the ship with Mrs Patagonia's wooden leg.

Comment: The Birthday Bash was an excellent story. My favourite character was Jiggling Jim because he was always dancing.

Annah Hammond, age nine

Ben's Magic Telescope, by Brian Patten (Picture Puffin, £5.99)

Ben is sick of looking at the same old boring buildings. He wishes for something wonderful. On the ninth day, of the ninth month, on the ninth hour and on the ninth floor he sees a silver telescope. Ben borrows this telescope and can see the planets in space and the world. The rest of the book is about the things he sees when he looks through the telescope.

I thought the book was good because Ben knew there was a whole new world to be discovered.

Charlotte Jackson, age nine

Updated: 09:47 Wednesday, April 30, 2003