How I picked it up: Was tidying up my classroom library and came across this charmingly illustrated book.

Why I borrowed it: “The Shark in the Pool” comprises 3 stories, one of which is “Dinosaur Bones”. My boy only reads non-fiction books, and I hoped that his burgeoning interest in dinosaurs would help him get hooked on fiction.

Did I like it: Yes, finished the whole book during lunch — a nice distraction from mounting work pressures. Read “Dinosaur Bones” to the boy at night. Class 2R thought that they found dinosaur bones and broke a few school rules to investigate further. Children have limitless imagination and are fearless — this book captures that innocence and brimming-with-energy brilliantly.

Would I recommend it: Yes, if you want your child to expand his imagination. The other 2 stories are about finding sharks in the school pool and handling a parachute with superpowers. Decidedly different from conventional lessons, be it paper or digital. No, if you want to ready his mind for PSLE exam. The plots involve too much of a stretch of the imagination and don’t come with learning points. And Pamela Butchart starts many a sentence with “And” — something that is frowned upon in our educational system.