A hippo called Hugo and a bird called Bella are getting ready for the Bird-Hippo Fancy Dress Party. Because they both want their own way, they can't agree on a costume and they almost don't go to the party at all. In this laugh-out-loud comedy of manners children will discover that compromise is what makes any friendship tick.

Hugo is in no doubt as to what he and Bella should go as to the Hippo-Bird Fancy Dress Party. They will go as the princess and the pea and he will be the princess (of course!) leaving poor Bella to be the pea. Indignant, Bella refuses. She has a better suggestion - they will go as a mermaid on a rock and she will be the mermaid (of course!) leaving a huffy Hugo to be the rock. Hugo is not happy. But neither is Bella. They just can't decide on a costume and things

reach a crisis when they both flounce off saying they don't want to go to the party at all. After time to consider, both Hugo and Bella calm down and (privately) both choose to dress as a pea as a gesture of making it all up to each other. So when they both arrive at the party as peas, Hugo and Bella

announce proudly that they are 'two peas in a pod, just as it should be' underlining the message of the book that friendship is all about give and take.

With wonderfully absurd illustrations from new talent Simon Rickerty and a great read-aloud text, this is a made-for-sharing picture book.

'My favourite picture books were both about friendship. The more sophisticated I Don't Want To Be a Pea! features a hippo and a bird arguing about what to wear for a fancy-dress party. It's all in dialogue, so parents and children can have fun doing the voices.'

' . . . charming story, vividly illustrated with bright splashes of colour and big type, perfect for pre-schoolers. A valuable message, entertainingly told.'

'This is a lovely book about the give-and-take of true friendship. The text and illustrations are witty and engaging, and complement each other beautifully which is ideal in a book all about the joys of co-operative play.'