Who would believe it could be so hard to get a drink of water? And to find it at last, cool and fresh but out of reach – that was a problem indeed for a young monkey. But luckily for him, he had an observant and logical mind. This was more than could be said for the dog that made friends with the bear, or the vain jackdaw; and as for the silly ewe and the nanny goat – well, one might call it guile or one might call it simplicity that kept the wolves at bay.

First published in 1960, this charming book of animal fables was the first children’s book either Quentin Blake or John Yeoman ever published. It exudes all the warmth and wit we have come to expect of their collaborations.