A toddler picture book by Eseld Carne COMING
"Mama!" coaxes Rosen. "Dada!" tries Jago. "Bun!" offers Martha. Perran watches the harbour, points, and says something else entirely. Pilchard is smug — he knew.
In Perran's First Word, a very important question is floating around the harbour: what will Perran say first? Rosen has a hopeful “Mama!” ready, Jago tries a proud “Dada!”, and Martha makes her case with a bun. But Perran is watching Polperran’s boats with quiet concentration, while Pilchard seems to know more than he is letting on. This is a small, sunny story of family anticipation and toddler certainty.
Children aged 2–4 will love the chant-like pattern of eager grown-up suggestions, the familiar pleasure of repeated words, and the gentle comedy of everyone trying just a little too hard. The harbour setting gives little eyes plenty to notice without adding any fright: there is no peril here, only warmth, waiting and a satisfyingly funny toddler point of view. It is made for lap reading, joining in, and delighted second readings.
As part of Eseld Carne’s Little Polperran picture books, Perran's First Word welcomes the youngest readers into the shared Cornish village they can grow up alongside. The book touches early threads of the Polperran world — family voices, harbour life, boats, buns, and Pilchard’s quiet confidence — in a form sized for toddlers. It is a first step into the village: affectionate, rhythmic and rooted in everyday seaside life.