Can You Say Please?

Marion Cocklico studied graphic design at Pivaut (Nantes) for 4 years before becoming an illustrator. She's worked with over thirty different French publishing houses since 2008 including Gallimard Tourbillon and Larousse. She lives in Paris. The Big Steps series, including No More Nappies and I'm Starting Nursery, are Marion's first titles for an English publisher.Dr Amanda Gummer is a research psychologist specializing in child development, with over 20 years experience working with children and families. She has set up three organisations – Fundamentally Children, FUNdamentals and the Good Toy Guide Ltd – all of which promote the value of play and positive parenting in child development. Amanda is frequently in the media and on expert panels for child-related issues, as well as being the British Toy and Hobby Association's spokesperson for their Make Time to Play Campaign.

The Big Steps books are a great way of introducing children to different life skills and building their confidence and familiarity with doing them. Watching characters their own age experience different things goes a long way in letting children know that they are normal, healthy and not scary. The children enjoyed pointing to the different pictures, opening flaps and naming objects, which is fantastic for helping to build their vocabulary and prepare them for learning to read. The book is also sturdy enough for enthusiastic hands. Our testers found the little tips at the bottom of the page useful and in one case, they helped to transform a reluctant dresser into someone who is happy to get dressed most mornings!