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. Chris Haughton tells a big story in stunning illustrations in his near-wordless picture book… a wittily told story with a strong message about communication' 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

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' Make some puppets to represent the characters in the story. Could you use them to perform it to an audience? Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton is a children's picturebook about a group of four individuals who have a plan that goes wrong, which involves searching and catching a bird during the night. Haughton uses the juxtaposition of the three older characters against the youngest character. In my understanding the three older characters embody the greed and the destructive nature of human beings, however, in contrast, the youngest embodies being generous, patient and loving towards the environment and everyone who resides there. 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. The truth of one of Bornholdt’s observations – “Reading a book of pictures is still reading” – will become immediately obvious to the “reader” of Chris Haughton’s picture book

Shh! We Have a Plan read by Chris Haughton

Three friends decide to catch the bird they spot in the woods. One little friend wants to try another approach but SHH! - they have a PLAN. Not the best one either as that plan turns into falling, splashing, and running! 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. This is his best yet: simple, original, very blue and HILARIOUS...every single school in the country should have a copy' 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. 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.'

Look at the expressions of the characters in the illustrations. How are they feeling? What are they thinking at different points? Most of the illustrations use different shades of blue. Could you try to create your own pictures using different shades of the same colour? In fact, I had been dozing off the food and activities of our Thanksgiving day, when the girls woke me with numerous whispers of "Shh! We have a plan." We laughed over the silliness of the characters and marveled at the success of the little one.Does this book have a deeper meaning about kindness over stealth and force or listening to the wisdom of the young or perhaps, a call for being calm, patience, and generous? This simple tale of adventure and innocence is a delight to the senses, stunningly crafted in his signature style. . . a sensational picture book for early readers and will leave adults coveting the captivating design'

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' This is a beautifully produced book which will take pride of place on my bookshelf alongside Chris Haughton's other books.' Children can re-enact and retell the tale of the hilarious villains. Using movement and the repetition to build the suspense, swiftly followed by disappointment, will make it exciting and amusing for their audience. Play a game Is it a lesson in respecting and protecting small creatures? The triumph of innocence over mischievous adventures? A subtle anti-hunting tract? 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' ArmadilloWhat happens next? Children can draw and write what they imagine happens next in the story of the hunters and the squirrel. Play ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf’ to experience, first-hand, suspense, chasing and being chased. Draw and write the next story When children hear the story several times they’ll get to know it really well. This helps them to tell it in their own words, using the pictures as prompts. Listen for the ways they use words and phrases from the story. This familiarity will help them to read the story independently and with increasing accuracy. Watch a Trailer Following the Rule of Threes the older trio creep stealthily upon the bird on the ground, in a tree, and out on a frozen pond, always failing to catch their prey. At last the Little One offers up some bread crumbs and they stalkers are suddenly surrounded by many birds. With the birds so close it seems as if catching them will easy until they realize they are outnumbers and outsized and off the run.

A very funny picture book . . . most of the story is revealed in the simple, expressive pictures, making it perfect for new readers' One of the most exciting new voices in children’s literature, comes a new picture book about a beautiful bird, an unquenchable desire and plans gone awry' The first thing I loved was the contrast of the dark blue figures in the dim blue world to the bright and vibrant birds! I think there is a hint here about nature and wildlife compared to the human world. I love that subtle environmental message...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 in 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! Re-read the story, encouraging children to join in with the repetition and fun: ‘ready one, ready two, ready three… GO!’ Tell the story This is a very entertaining book about a group of four who are searching in the dark of night for something to catch. Three of the group are bigger and often tell the smallest (likely youngest) of the group repetitively to "Shh! We have a plan." 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.