Shh! We Have a Plan

Product Information

There are others who wish to capture a thing of beauty permanently. In his new title, Shh! We Have A Plan (Walker Books), Chris Haughton introduces us to four individuals, three of whom believe they have a strategy for success. The fourth has an entirely different approach. This is his best yet: simple, original, very blue and HILARIOUS...every single school in the country should have a copy'

What really makes this book shine are Chris Haughton’s superb illustrations: the gloom of the woods at night is captured perfectly by his sombre blue palette, and his expressive depiction of the hunters makes their fear of the dark palpable. A simple, funny and atmospheric story that will delight younger children, and probably their parents as well. One of the most exciting author/illustrators in children’s books today and this latest offering is a delight ... a lovely book for reading aloud full of expression and fun, with a final twist in the furry tail' Read the story aloud, talking together about the pictures as you do. Talking about the book makes space for children to ask questions, share their thoughts and deepens their understanding. What do they imagine the little one is thinking? Join inFour friends out for a walk decide they must have the beautiful bird perched high in a tree. They have a plan... Trouble is, their plans don't quite work and each time they land up in a tangled heap as the bird flies off. But look more closely and you will see that the littlest one doesn't join in - he has a much better idea. Even then, things don't quite go according to plan in this almost wordless picture book which relies heavily on the clever picture to relate the story.'

Mr Haughton, your picture books are simply amazing. I had the chance to listen to a nice french bookstore attendant read Chut! On a un plan before it reaches french Canadian bookstores. This papercut technique is very “rich” and from what I have seen from the video the colors are beautiful. ANd the scenario! Wow! Easy to predict that this book will also earn many prizes, but most importantly, children will love it!!! Bravo de Montreal 🙂 Kids getting a notion in their head and proceeding with what they believe is a well-considered plan only to have it fail due, in part, to their own limited understanding of the real world. This is a beautifully produced book which will take pride of place on my bookshelf alongside Chris Haughton's other books.'I was listed in Time Magazine's DESIGN 100for the work I've been doing for fair trade company People Tree and co-founded NODEa fair trade social business with Akshay Sthapit in 2012 The three older characters being different to the youngest is firstly recognised on the front cover. The three older characters are all very close to each other, touching bodies. Their fingers against their mouth indicating the "shh". All three of them look straight ahead towards the reader. However, the youngest is a little further away and does not use his finger to "shh". This indicates that he is not in on the plan, he does not share the same views or values as the other three. Additionally, he is not looking straight ahead but watching the other three, this gives a feeling of him/her observing the other three. That the youngest is not in on the plan is very obvious throughout the book, as he does not have a catching net like the other three. Furthermore, he never participates in the act of trying to catch the bird but is a silent observer. The humor comes from the futility of the group's plan and the silly results combined with the juxtaposition of the youngest's successful methods.

I KNEW we had to read this book as soon as I saw the wonderful ART! And I was NOT disappointed... it is a truly beautiful book from the illustrations to the message... This is the kind of picture book I would LOVE to create myself! An incredible book, much loved by my own children and, in a recent lesson observation for a job interview, by all the children in a Year 2 class. I was able to use the hook line for a behaviour management tool, the setting to develop a whole class soundscape and the bulk of the book for ethical comprehension investigation. The children enjoyed exploring the book with me; it was a vital teaching and learning tool, and a genuine whole class ‘reading for pleasure’ moment. Needless to say this book secured me the job too!

Chris Haughton: Illustrating a Character from Shhh! We Have a Plan

Re-read the story, encouraging children to join in with the repetition and fun: ‘ready one, ready two, ready three… GO!’ Tell the story Look at the expressions of the characters in the illustrations. How are they feeling? What are they thinking at different points?