The Iron Man Book

An immense iron figure appears by the sea, alarming the people living nearby and challenging their ideas about what he might be. Hogarth's willingness to understand him opens the way to an extraordinary friendship and a much larger test of courage. Ted Hughes's imaginative adventure combines striking language with memorable images, giving readers a story about fear, trust and the possibility of turning a threatening presence towards something good.

Age suitability and learning: Primary (6-8), Older children (9-12). The longer narrative suits children ready to sustain attention across a developing story, whether reading independently or sharing it aloud. Following characters and events supports comprehension, vocabulary and reading stamina; discussing motives, settings and choices encourages inference, empathy and imaginative thinking.

Available at QT Toys in Battersea.