Registered office address: Unit 34 Vulcan House Business Centre, Vulcan Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE5 3EF. The illustrations were gorgeous but the storyline was made up of animals getting on the imaginary train and then plaintively stating their imminent extinction.

Most of the children in my class thought it had really happened and this made for a really interesting discussion. Tug of War was republished in 2012, and a special edition of Borka, celebrating 50 years in print, was published in June 2013. I agree it is important children know about these challenges, but how comfortable I would feel reading this again now I know the meaning behind it? The story is making statements about the plight of endangered animals and the treatment, pollution of the environment (Planet Earth), so loads of opportunities to link in with other topics.

The author tackles the topical issue of endangered species with humour in this tale which describes a small child's fantasy about driving a train which is waylaid by animals. The way in which each added character was presented in their own setting and adopted into the group (the train) shows how stepping out of your comfort zone and into that of another can forge bonds and friendships which you would otherwise miss out on.

From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission.I do know it is a well loved book by a few children and some didn't seem to see the serious message it was giving, and did enjoy the animals being told "Oi! The heron tells the boy that he cannot leave the train because his marsh is being drained, and he cannot live on dry land. Beautifully illustrated, and joyfully subtle, the environmental message is strong yet, blends in well with the story. On his travels he encounters several animals who want to join the train, and have very strong reasons for doing so.