The great granny gang by Judith Kerr

HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN 9780007467921.
(Age 3+) Recommended. What a wonderful fun look at great grannies, the youngest eighty-two. They get up to all sorts of capers, including babysitting a crocodile, taming lions, repairing chimneys and going ballooning. When a gang steals all the goodies from a baker, the granny gang comes to the rescue and stops the thieves.
Told in rhymes, this is a glorious celebration of older women and this time of great grannies, rather than the usual grandmas found in picture books. They do dangerous and daring things and all are still active and on the job. Their exploits are humorous and often dangerous, but can bring a smile to the face. They completely rout the gang of young boys, who repent their wrong doing, and then they enjoy the fruits of their endeavour - lots of yummy looking cakes made by the baker's mother, another great granny.
The illustrations are in soft pastels, with each granny having a distinct character and clothing. The animals are equally individual and the crocodile with its wide grin is particularly appealing.
This is a book to read aloud and to celebrate the fact that great grannies can be amazing.
Pat Pledger