A few weeks ago I was sent two books by the children’s author Amy Trevaskus. I had no idea what to expect when offering to review for her but am now so pleased that I responded to her tweets. I have discovered a refreshing yet traditional children’s writer and some fantastic new characters to share with Esther and William.

Because Esther and William are twins I like to read them stories of characters who come in pairs, Topsy and Tim being our current favourites. When William had to see the doctor this week, we read Topsy and Tim before we went so that he would know what to expect. Well, sort of, he is only one!

Anyway, Topsy and Tim now have some very stiff competiton in the form of teeny tiny clock dwellers, Amy Trevaskus’ Ping and Pong.

The two books we were asked to review are called Ping and Pong Splash and Ping and Pong Grow.

Ping and Pong are brother and sister. They have lived in the clock in Lucy’s hallway for as long as they can remember. The books Splash and Grow tell tales of the adventures that the three friends have together with Lucy’s family at the park and on the allotment.

These are good stories full of family values and morals. They are traditional stories in their content and their telling. They are books to be enjoyed by all the family. Over and over again. They are books that can be enjoyed for their own sake or could be used at home, or in the classroom, as a stimulus for writing or art activities. I can’t wait until Esther and William are old enough to make matchbox beds for Ping and Pong!

The pen and water colour illustrations by Alison Heath really bring the characters to life. They remind me of The Borrowers or Milly Molly Mandy. They have a retro yet genuine forties or fifties feel. The attention to detail is marvellous and adds its own magical quality to these adventure books.

The stories are easy to read aloud. They have a good rhythm and lots of dialogue. William loves it in Splash when Ping and Pong exclaim loudly with Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and Yeeeeaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy as they slide down the slide.

When we first received the books I thought they might be a bit too old for Esther and William, but we read them at snack time when they are sat in their high chairs and they listen attentively to the whole thing and they respond.

We are a family of book lovers and storytellers, so the adventures of Ping and Pong are sure to fit right in. I can see this series of books growing over the years with fun educational adventures, much like the aforementioned Topsy and Tim, perhaps we will see Ping and Pong go to school, the doctors, the dentist, the seaside? I hope so.

We have really enjoyed sharing these stories and I know that they are books to be enjoyed time and time again over the years. The Ping and Pong stories are a great way of introducing key vocabulary on a certain topic in a fun and imaginative way. In Grow, for example, Ping and Pong discuss what an allotment is and what can be found there, so lots of new words are introduced and used throughout the story.

I also feel when I read the stories that I am never quite sure if Ping and Pong are real or imaginary friends? I like the idea of both and I am glad that it is not made explicit.

Ping and Pong have very different characters which are used well to aid the narration and development of the story. For example at the park in Splash when Pong is loving the swings but Ping is nervous and would rather look at the ducks. Esther and William are like that, though in our case it is the boy who is unsure of the swings! I like the different personalities and I will use these characters to reassure Esther and William that it is okay to be different and to like different things. I think they might find that comforting as they grow.

I love the importance Amy Trevaskus places on family and friendship and thinking of others. These are great stories with a good heart and you can tell that they mean a lot to the lady who writes them.

We are looking forward to more adventures with Ping and Pong as we grow.

You too can be a part of the adventure by visiting the website, the Ping and Pong Facebook page or by following them on Twitter.

The books are available online for £6.99 each or £10 for both.

We were sent one copy of each book for free for the purposes of this review.