Polly Faber and Clara Vulliamy’s stories of Mango and her friend Bambang the tapir are absolutely charming. Mango is kind, resourceful, always there to help Bambang out of the scrapes in which he finds himself – she’s like the perfect big sister in fact, and their relationship is one of the loveliest things about the books: ‘She’s not my owner, ‘ explains Bambang at one point, ‘She’s my other half of two’. There are four separate stories in this book, all linked. Bambang discovers a talent for flamenco dancing that cheers him up, helps him escape when Dr Cynthia Prickle-Posset kidnaps him, and nearly turns his head when he’s offered a position as dancer on a cruise ship. Beautifully written and full of delightful illustrations, this is a perfect first chapter book and Mango and Bambang will find lots of friends in newly independent readers.
Bambang and Paddington share the same innocence and capacity for causing chaos, while readers will also enjoy Shirley Hughes’s Dixie O’Day books, Pugs of the Frozen North by Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve, and Elisabeth Beresford’s stories of the Wombles. ~ Andrea Reece
Mango and Bambang's adventures continue in the second book of this charming illustrated series about a little girl and a tapir, written by Polly Faber and illustrated by Clara Vulliamy. Mango Allsorts is a girl good at all sorts of things, especially helping a tapir feel at home in a busy city. Bambang is that tapir and he's getting braver every day. Join then for their daring escapades, involving dogs, dancing, diamond rings and a dangerous old enemy.
Tapir All at Sea is Book Two in this brilliant series for younger readers.
Here is a trailer for the first in the series Mango & Bambang: The Not-A-Pig.
A joyful return for Mango and Bambang, the irresistible girl and tapir duo who made their debut in The Not-a-Pig. This is young fiction at its finest: a charming friendship, daring adventures, highly illustrated and wrapped up in a perfect package. Bookseller
This stylishly packaged book full of warmth and wit is simply irresistible. It is made up of four short stories making this particularly suitable for the emerging reader who is just building up reading stamina. The writing style is wonderful as Polly Faber combines wit and a thoughtful kindness in the telling of these adventures. I particularly enjoyed her use of vocabulary. [...] The joyful illustrations by Clara Vulliamy combine perfectly with the text bringing the characters to life. The very many expressions conveyed on Bambang's face are delightful. The detail in the illustrations will add to the appeal for children as there is so much to linger over. The Bookbag
Striking illustrations in black, grey and red just add to the sheer delight as Bambang tries dancing flamenco, escapes dangerous villains and finds out who really loves him the most. South Wales Evening Post
A charming collection IBW Children's Book Guide, The Bookseller
Mango is a resourceful girl but keeping tapir Bambang out of trouble in the Very Busy City is a challenge! Gently hilarious. The Metro
Author
About Polly Faber
Polly Faber is a children's book blogger and volunteer reading helper through the charity Beanstalk. With her family, she looks after her very own tiny free library outside their house in North London. Mango & Bambang is her first series of books for children.
