Is it a Book or is it a Plane?: Created in partnership with the Play team at Great Ormond Street Hospital

By Author / Illustrator

Mike Henson, Katie Vernon

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Happy Yak

ISBN

9780711297487

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

08-05-2025

Synopsis

This is not a book. It's a plane... it's a dinosaur... and so much more! Dive into the book that isn't a book and interact with the pages to create exciting new objects and worlds. Fly the book like an aeroplane, wear it like a hat, turn it into a monster mask, transform it into a roaring dinosaur or sail it like a pirate ship! And with bright, fantastical illustrations from Katie Vernon, there is nothing normal about this picture book!

This playful picture book includes flaps and die-cuts, creating an entertaining and interactive reading experience that children will be actively involved in. This fantastic playbook will unlock and boost a child's imagination, encouraging ALL children to love and enjoy books.

This is an exciting collaboration with the play experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Happy Yak, who have created a range of upbeat books that transport kids to magical places through the power of play and imagination. A charitable donation is given to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity for every copy sold.

Download Extract

Reviews

Wendy

The first thing to note about this book is that it's raising money for charity; the publishers have pledged a percentage from each copy sold to support the work of the Play Team at Great Ormand Street Hospital.

Is it a Book or is it a Plane? is a lovely book for young children. There is no real story, instead it's a feat of paper engineering and joyous illustrations. It prompts children and their adults to use their imaginations and shows that books can become almost anything. Who would have thought the same book could be an aeroplane, a monster mask or a pirate ship? These are some of the wonders you will find and it's up to you to make up the story that goes with them.

Whether it's a bedtime story, a nursery session, a Reception class book or an exploration of paper engineering in a Key Stage One DT session, there are a myriad of uses this book will support. The most perfect opportunity it presents, though, is developing oracy. Stories can be invented and told out loud, parts can be changed as a different storyteller steps up and a simple, repeated refrain can help all children find their voice.

A new story every time the book is opened and supporting GOSH to develop play skills for sick children. A great clasroom resource or a lovely gift for a favourite child; everyone benefits when you buy this book. Highly recommended.

Picture book / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher