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. I like that the bird is out-smarting four perfectly competent humans - he's absolutely toying with them! But I don't like so much that we need to rely entirely on the pictures; it feels like this could have been a lot funnier if the characters had a bit more variety in their dialogue. This is his best yet: simple, original, very blue and HILARIOUS...every single school in the country should have a copy' My nephew quite loved the book and especially the repeating phrase Shh! We've got a plan. This was quite the giggle fest which is lovely to see on him when he is normally hurrying to finish the book so he can get to the drawing! He could still discern that it was the boy that got the bird! He loved the end where they switch from birds to squirrels and the littler guy seems resigned that they will repeat their same mistakes!

Through seemingly simple but wonderfully sophisticated visual techniques, Haughton excels in his goal and in doing so, proves that even as profound a concept as achieving peace through understanding can be conveyed visually, without words'Pleasingly spare and simple in design and storyline, and ending with a good joke, this is a perfectly executed picture book. ... Chris Haughton plays tribute to Tomi Ungerer’s classic Join the team behind Shh! We Have a Plan and learn how to put on your own puppet show! Make your own puppets with designer Sam Wilde, musical instruments with composer Noah Mosely and learn the basics of puppetry with the show's director Ian Nicholson.

Es la primera vez que comento un libro infantil, pero con "¡Shhh! Tenemos un plan" he sentido realmente necesidad de comentarlo. Como mamá de un niño de 18 meses ya empiezo a leer libros infantiles, así que si encuentro joyitas como ésta, pienso contarlas por aquí.

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. Four 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.' What happens next? Children can draw and write what they imagine happens next in the story of the hunters and the squirrel.

The end of the picturebook starts out like the beginning, having a plan to catch another animal. This is interesting as it could symbolise the human nature of greed and wanting more, not seeing what destruction they are causing through their actions. Even though they saw the youngest succeed with his simple non-destructive plan they continue to use their plan that failed the first time.and illustrator of Oh No, George! and Little Owl Lost brings us another comical and thoughtful story. The bold and unusual colour palette is appealing and the use of utterly delightful repetitive […]

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 Is it a lesson in respecting and protecting small creatures? The triumph of innocence over mischievous adventures? A subtle anti-hunting tract? Re-read the story, encouraging children to join in with the repetition and fun: ‘ready one, ready two, ready three… GO!’ Tell the story Four friends have a plan to catch a birdie they spot in the woods. But that plan turns into falling, splashing, and running!

Shh! We Have a Plan is a book to fall in love with . . . The characters are so warm and endearing, their antics so gentle and funny that children will take them to their hearts. . . a lovely, lovely book' Armadillo This is a beautifully produced book which will take pride of place on my bookshelf alongside Chris Haughton's other books.'