Gorgeous illustrations and straight-forward yet unexpectedly touching prose ... probably more appreciated by adults (I'm 53, and found it very moving) but worth springing on the right child to see what they might make of it.

My favourite couplet: "And all those who had not been chewed / came round to show their gratitude."

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). ( )

Charming and touching. ( )

Relates in rhyme the life of an English Army major, born in 1851, and his wife.