Picturebook Reviews

A Song for Jamela by Niki Daly
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  • I think I’m in love. In fact, I’m sure I am because I’m in love with this book – ‘A Song for Jamela’, the story of a little girl’s daily life in a South African township, a story that will enchant children of every age. Look at the first sentence, ‘It was the second week of the long summer holiday and Jamela was bored stiff.’ Does that ring a bell, parents? Of course, it does, just as it will with every child who picks this book up.
  • Jamela’s one over-riding interest is the finals of the Afro-Idols television competition. Her Granny, Go-Go, tired of seeing her lying around all day, suggests that Jamela become a receptionist at ‘Divine Braids,’ a ladies’ hairdressing salon owned by Aunt Beauty. Good, eh? Well, it gets better.
  • We follow Jamela as she goes to work; walk down the same streets with her, pass the fruit seller with the watermelon smile and the ladies making vetkoek - an unsweetened filled doughnut - according to the helpful Glossary at the back, and at ‘Divine Braids’ meet Aunt Beauty, praise be, Zuki, crabby Mama Bula and Jive Boy. Love ‘em all. Especially Mama Bula, for every child, regardless of where they live, has such a Mama in their lives and will identify with Jamela as she tries to keep out of her kind but crabby way. To Jamela’s delight, who should come into the Salon but glamorous Miss Bambi Chaka Chaka, star of Afro-Idols, a character so satisfactorily awesome, I almost heard the strains of ‘The arrival of the Queen of Sheba,’ rising from the page. Tragedy almost strikes, however, when Jamela swats at a fly, misses and smacks Aunt Beauty’s bottom instead, just as she’s trimming the sleeping Miss Bambi Chaka Chaka’s hair with an electric razor. The razor slips, leaving the sleeping beauty with a bald patch down the middle of her head.
  • Luckily, Jamela comes to the rescue with her lovely sunflower lunch basket, for Aunt Beauty takes the sunflowers and weaves them into what is left of Bambi’s hair. It looks so good that when she wakes, Miss Chaka Chaka gives everyone at ‘Divine Braids’ a free ticket for the Show. Well, every child reading this book will wish they’d been given a free ticket, too.
  • The illustrations in ‘A Song for Jamela’ are radiant with colour, vitality and life and yet contain such tenderness, even though we may never have been in a town like this before, it becomes all at once familiar and loved. This is a wonderful book, written with great sympathy and love, admitting the reader into a world so real, so funny and interesting that all any child will want to do after reading it, is to read it all over again.
  • Reviewed by Gwen Grant
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  • author and illustrator : Niki Daly
  • publisher : Frances Lincoln
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £11.99
  • ISBN : 9781845078713

 

The Biggest thing in the World by Kenneth Steven
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  • Little Snow Bear wakes up after hibernating. He and his mother go out exploring and he feels very small in the great big world that is outside their den. When he falls down a snow hole his Mother scoops him out, protecting him. Everything they pass, the musk ox, the deer, the waterfall and the mountain, he thinks must be the biggest thing in the world... of course, his mother consistently reassures him that they aren’t. Even the beautifully painted giant iceberg, surrounded by a violet sky, and the night sky that spreads out for millions of miles, are not the biggest things in the world.
  • So Mother Snow Bear takes Little Snow Bear back inside their den. She then tells him what we’ve been waiting for, that the biggest thing in the world ‘is how much I love you’.
  • The vivid and enveloping warm colours of this picture-book, and heart-warming story make this a reassuring bedtime book.
  • Reviewed by Nikki Bielinski
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  • author : Kenneth Steven
  • illustrator : Melanie Mitchell
  • publisher : Lion
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £6.99
  • ISBN : 9780745961071

 

Creation by Caroline Jayne Church
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  • This charming board book tells the story of Creation with bold, clear pictures. The coloured illustrations have textured or furry panels on each spread for children to feel. It is an age-appropriate way for them to engage in the story and make it their own.
  • From the darkness of the original night sky, through to the creation of the sun, the land, the sea, plants, animals, fish and birds of the sky, and animals of the African plains – it is all there for children to engage with.
  • On the last spread God is quoted as saying "I want people. They can take care of my world.” This is a strong message for encouraging young children to look after our beautiful world, as well as understanding the Creation story.
  • A touch and feel book that can be read aloud, read again and played with – there is something for all young children!
  • Reviewed by Nikki Bielinski
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  • author : Caroline Jayne Church
  • publisher : Lion
  • edition : Boardbook
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9780745961101

 

Snail Trail: In Search of a Modern Masterpiece by Jo Saxton
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  • Snail Trail by Jo Saxton offers children a snail’s eye view of modern art. We follow the art-loving snail’s trail as he journeys through a series of 20th century masterpieces, from Dali to Picasso, to find his snail portrait: The Snail by Henri Matisse. The focus point of the snail’s quest gives the reader something to look for in each picture, making discussion about the art and its possible meanings much easier. ‘I will teach you how to look’, the snail tells us at the beginning, and on each page he draws the reader’s attention to a particular artistic feature. Jackson Pollock’s Number 20, cannot be his portrait, he says, because it is made of ‘drips and drops’, while his picture is ‘built of blocks’. This prompts us to think about the different shapes that make up pictures and why one artist might use drips and drops and another build their picture out of blocks. It will also lead budding artists to think about what they might build their own pictures out of.
  • These varying focus points are an effective way of introducing modern art. It can seem more difficult to look at more abstract forms and those new to it might worry that they won’t get it or understand what a piece is supposed to be ‘about’. This book breaks down the pictures into the elements that make up all art – technique, materials, colours, shapes, subject, – and in an open way that does not tell the reader what to think. It will show children that there a many ways of looking at a picture and that no response to it can be wrong. For example, when the snail shows us the painting The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali he says ‘This strange painting is far too hot. Melting clocks and desert rocks? A place for a snail – this is not!’ The reader is encouraged to think about their own personal response to the picture, they might find it strange, magical, or frightening and they might wonder how they would paint their own dreams.
  • This book makes modern art accessible and invites the reader simply to appreciate their own responses. The bright colours and simple modern design allow the photographs of the artwork to stand out. With the pictures framed in this open and clear manner, the snail narrator directs our eyes but not our opinions. The attractive design complements the visual appeal of the art and will encourage young artists to make their own pictures.
  • Reviewed by Liz Bankes
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  • Author: Jo Saxton
  • Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  • Edition: Hardback
  • Price: £11.99
  • ISBN: 9781847800213

 

When the World is Ready for Bed by Gillian Shields
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  • A beautifully illustrated picture book that could be the accompaniment to bedtime night after night.
  • The simple, rhyming text is fitted well around the engrossing pictures, which are full of detail and really have all the details of a home throughout; from the clutter of a children's room to the bits under a sink. There is a lot to look at, lots of recognition games that can be played, and lots of warm colours and feelings throughout.
  • Importantly elements such as talking about the day just passed, reading a story and the fact that tomorrow will soon be here and can be whatever you want it to be are all covered, so at the end of all the sleepiness there is a wonderful, uplifting early morning to look forward to.
  • As the back cover of the book remarks, it is 'like a lullaby' and that is certainly the calming, gentle feeling it evokes.
  • Reviewed by Simon Smith
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  • author : Gillian Shields
  • illustrator : Anna Currey
  • publisher : Bloomsbury
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £9.99
  • ISBN : 9780747588481

 

Starlight Sailor by James Mayhew
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  • From the same pair that brought you 'Can You See a Little Bear?' comes this charming bedtime story.
  • Read this book to your child and take them on an imaginary journey across the sea to a land of make believe.
  • It is surely part of every child's dream to travel to far off lands, meet exotic creatures and discover interesting new friends.
  • Follow the voyage of the little boy in the story, and see towering sandcastles, explore caves, and even take a ride on a dragon. This book has all the elements you need for the fantasy journey of your dreams. There is plenty of detail to pore over in every richly coloured image, and there is plenty of scope for discussion with your child. The tale is told in a beautifully constructed lilting rhyme. There is a timeless quality to this book that will ensure it becomes a classic, and it would make a perfect addition to any home or nursery library.
  • Reviewed by Doda Smith
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  • Author: James Mayhew
  • Illustrator: Jackie Morris
  • Publisher: Barefoot Books Ltd
  • Edition: Hardback
  • Price: £10.99
  • ISBN: 9781846861857

 

Captain Wag and the Polar Bears by Michael Terry
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  • Captain Wag goes to the rescue of his arch enemy Ginger Tom after finding a desperate plea for help in a bottle: Ginger's ship is stuck in ice and surrounded by angry, and possibly hungry, polar bears. The captain and his crew brave snow blizzard and angry seas on the way but finally reach the snowbound ship. But is everything really as it seems? Are the polar bears really trying to eat up Ginger Tom and his crew?
  • This third book in the Captain Wag series is sure to please pirate fans, particularly with its array of pirate expressions. The fact that the characters are animals brings extra charm to the story; the fantastically grumpy-looking polar bears were the highlight for me.
  • The book comes with a set of stickers and a full-spread Arctic landscape for children to create their own Captain Wag adventure. This is undoubtedly an added bonus which will be very popular with its young audience.
  • Reviewed by Melanie McGilloway
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  • author : Michael Terry
  • illustrator : Michael Terry
  • publisher : Bloomsbury
  • price : £6.99
  • ISBN : 9780747597827

 

The Curious Fish by Elsa Beskow
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  • Flash is a very curious little fish who lives in a lake along with a very large extended family of aunts and uncles. The lake is also a place where Tom, a little boy, likes to spend his time fishing and looking at the water. One day, Flash's curiosity pushes him to venture too far out in the lake and he gets caught by Tom's fishing rod. Tom is quite taken by the little fish and decides to take him home to live in an aquarium. As soon as they realise what has happened, Flash's aunts and uncles are desperate to rescue him and will do just about anything to get him back, including dabbling in a little bit of magic!
  • The illustrations in this book definitely have vintage charm, which is little wonder as it was originally published in Sweden in 1933. This is its first English translation. Those beautiful illustrations depict a simpler life when children were contented with just playing (albeit dangerously, although Tom does learn to swim at the end of the book, "just in case"!) near a lake all day. But the story is by no mean dated, and young readers will surely enjoy the adventures of this spirited little fish.
  • Reviewed by Melanie McGilloway
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  • author and illustrator : Elsa Beskow
  • publisher : Floris Books
  • price : £8.99
  • ISBN : 9780863157158

 

Hodge the Hedgehog by Amy Sparkes
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  • Can it be possible that no-one has written a story about a hedgehog who hogs hedges? Time to meet Hodge who loves his hedge. In fact he is SO hedge proud that he will not share his home with anyone, even though he has plenty of room to spare. His animal friends though have other ideas and seek to show Hodge just how gorgeous his hedge can be if they all chip in and help.
  • The language in this book is playful; the story is written in a lively rhyme. The rhythm of the text however is occasionally rather awkward which makes some of the tongue-twisting elements of the story a bit of a challenge when reading aloud. The illustrations are bright and clear, with those occasional small details that children love to spot.
  • This is a great story to help demonstrate to children the benefits of sharing. It also shows how much can be achieved if everyone works together as a team.
  • Reviewed by Dani Hall
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  • author : Amy Sparkes
  • illustrator : Benji Davies
  • publisher : Meadowside Children's Books
  • edition: Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781845394240

 

Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson
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  • Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson are well known for numerous successful collaborations including ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Snail and the Whale’. It is perhaps a lesser known fact that Donaldson once made her living as a busker, and this early experience has inspired a new story.
  • Tabby McTat is a busker’s cat with a very loud and strong miaow. He loves his owner, Fred, and the two of them sing together as people through coins appreciatively into their hat. One day Fred has an accident and the two are separated. The story follows Tabby as he makes a new life for himself without his old friend, yet he cannot forget Fred and hope that one day they will be reunited.
  • This is a moving story about love, friendship and loyalty. As with all of Donaldson’s books this story is a joy to read out loud: her rhythmic verse resonates beautifully. Scheffler’s illustrations are as engaging as ever, perhaps more so as the setting of this story is much more urban and therefore recognizable to many more children.
  • Reviewed by Dani Hall
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  • author : Julia Donaldson
  • illustrator : Axel Scheffler
  • publisher : Alison Green Books
  • edition: Hardback
  • price : £10.99
  • ISBN : 9781407109244

 

The Troll by Julia Donaldson
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  • Hank Chief and his pirate crew love eating fish, but without a decent recipe between them they are forced to endure sandy, sticky fishcakes and bony soup. Indeed, they are searching desperately for buried treasure simply so they can afford a ship’s cook.
  • In the meantime the story also follows the adventures of the Troll, a troll who happens to own a recipe book (and has a nice line in fish suppers). Of course these two narratives are destined to become one, but they way this is pulled off is breathtaking.
  • This is an inventive story that has heaps of fun re-interpreting and subverting some of our more traditional tales. The illustrations are grotesquely adorable and add to the development and subversion of the story’s plot.
  • Reviewed by Dani Hall
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  • author : Julia Donaldson
  • illustrator : David Roberts
  • publisher : Macmillan Children’s Books
  • edition: Hardback
  • price : £10.99
  • ISBN : 9780230017931

 

Little Lost Dragon by Wayne Anderson
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  • One morning an egg drops from the sky into the ocean. From this egg a little dragon hatches, but he soon realises that the creatures around him are very different and he doesn’t belong underwater. This is the start of an adventure across the world to find his family and discover what he is.
  • On his journey he encounters all sorts of creatures who wrongly claim him as their own. Eventually, he comes across a little boy who owns a book which holds the knowledge needed to unlock some of the mystery around the dragon’s identity. Together the boy and the dragon go on the final part of the journey to meet Little Lost Dragon’s family.
  • This is a lovely story about one’s journey of discovery, of research of one’s identity, and of the importance of knowing who you are. The illustrations are very atmospheric, and give a mystical quality to the book.
  • I think this story will go down particularly well at bedtime.
  • Reviewed by Melanie McGilloway
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  • authorand illustrator : Wayne Anderson
  • publisher : Templar Publishing
  • edition: Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781840117509

 

The Extraordinary Dinosaurs of Mr Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley
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  • If you know a kid who loves dinosaurs, you know a kid who’ll love this.
  • Not so much a story, as a true account of the life of Waterhouse Hawkins, the Victorian artist whose life-sized models first showed the world what dinosaurs looked like.
  • From a childhood spend drawing and dreaming, through triumph and tragedy, Waterhouse’s determination and flamboyant spirit shine through. When he invited the world’s top scientists to dinner, the venue was the interior of a giant model iguanodon!
  • The illustrations have particularly strong boy-appeal, with plenty of non-fiction elements: sketches, diagrams and labels accompany Caldecott Honor-winning artwork based on Waterhouse’s own scrapbook and original drawings.
  • Detailed endnotes show the meticulous research involved in producing the book, as well as filling in the life stories of other character’s who appear in the story, such as “Boss” Tweed, a corrupt politician whose thugs destroyed Waterhouse’s models in America. These broken pieces of are still buried somewhere in Central Park, and his dinosaur sculptures still stand in Crystal Palace Park in London.
  • A final endpaper pictures dinosaurs as envisioned then and now, neatly showing how scientific theories change over time.
  • Fascinating and inspiring for any dinosaur lover.
  • Reviewed by Dawn Casey
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  • author : Barbara Kerley
  • illustrator : Brian Selznick
  • publisher : Scholastic
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £10.99
  • ISBN : 9781407111056

 

The Elves and the Shoemaker by Lucy M George
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  • Along with The Giant Turnip, I’ve always felt The Elves and the Shoemaker to be one of the best fairytales for the very young. With not a scary giant, troll or wolf in sight, it is gentle enough for even the most sensitive toddler.
  • At heart, it celebrates the value of being helpful, affirming that even the smallest hands can make a difference. What a welcome message for any eager little helper!
  • This simple re-telling is complimented by Rachel Swirles’ warm acrylic illustrations. The old shoemaker and his faithful wife share a round-faced, rosy-cheeked charm. I particularly love the way Swirles depicts the elves – child-like chucklers who giggle and dance across the pages, dressed in cheery spots and stripes. My four year old loved playing hide-and-seek too: spotting elves peeping out from behind the curtains or peering through the window.
  • A lovely book for little ones.
  • Reviewed by Dawn Casey
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  • author : Lucy M George
  • illustrator : Rachel Swirles
  • publisher : Meadowside
  • edition : Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781845394134

 

This is the Way by Charles Fuge
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  • Charles Fuge’s artwork is always a joy to look at and pour over. This book – written and illustrated by Mr Fuge – is no exception to that statement.
  • The idea behind the book is very simple – a young boy imagines himself running, walking and stalking with a variety of creatures. This could be a very difficult concept to portray as a story but, thanks in part to the different perspectives Charles Fuge uses it works very well.
  • To begin with we see the boy, small in comparison to the different creatures as he walks with an elephant “BOOM BANG CRASH” and stalks with a dinosaur “Snarl Hiss Gnash”. Then later, the boy has become very small as he flies like a bee “BZZ BZZ BZZ”. This gives us a good sense of perspective and wonderfully imagined insight into the animal world.
  • Children will love the bright, clear pictures, have great fun buzzing, stamping and snarling along with the creatures and will enjoy pointing out all the animals in the boys room as he sleeps soundly in his bed.
  • A highly recommended feast for the eyes and senses this is a charming and unusual picture book from a very talented author/illustrator.
  • Reviewed by Damian Harvey
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  • author and illustrator : Charles Fuge
  • publisher : Gullane Children’s Books
  • edition : Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781862337466

 

Ferdie's Springtime Blossom by Julia Rawlinson
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  • This gentle tale, beautifully illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, starts with Ferdie the Fox enjoying the sights and sounds of a spring day as he bounces “along with his nose in the air.” When he “tumbles happily down the hill into the sunny orchard,” Ferdie is in for a surprise – “the ground was covered in drifts of white, and when a soft breeze danced through the branches it carried the snowy flakes.”
  • Ferdie is worried by the sight of snow so late in spring as it means it will be too cold for the “buds and butterflies” and too cold for the other birds and animals, so he sets out to warn them.
  • The structure of the story is reminiscent of Chicken Licken, as the animals join Ferdie in his venture to warn the other creatures that spring hasn’t arrived properly. However there is no threat of any animals being eaten in Julia Rawlinson’s joyful springtime tale. Instead, the animals decide to go to the orchard and play in the snow, but there’s a surprise waiting for them when they get there.
  • ‘Ferdie’s Springtime Blossom’ is a gentle, bright and joyful story book for young readers.
  • Reviewed by Damian Harvey
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  • author : Julia Rawlinson
  • illustrator : Tiphanie Beeke
  • publisher : Gullane Children's Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £10.99
  • ISBN : 9781862337374

 

Teacup in a Storm by Lucy M. George
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  • An everyday task of running the bath, turns into an exciting adventure for a tiny tossed teacup and his heroic friend, the rubber duckie.
  • As waves wildly tumble the two companions they bravely venture forth in a paper hat sailboat. Along the way, teacup and duckie successfully traverse other treacherous tub toys, and even the hairy household cat. All ends well for the two travellers as the tub finally fills and calms to create a comforting journey's end, with the warm and sunny destination of home.
  • Il Sung Na's illustrations lend his usual whimsy and larger-than-life child's eye view to the story. The washed colours are warm and comforting, splashed with a bit of bold for a dramatic effect. Variety in page layout and an action-packed focus on the two adventurers ensure delightful engagement with a young audience.
  • Reviewed by Melanie Bradshaw
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  • author : Lucy M. George
  • illustrator : Il Sung Na
  • publisher : meadowside Children's Books
  • edition : Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781845393632

 

The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na
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  • Remember when the world was filled with the wonder of brand new shiny things? When the magic of discovery was your full-time endeavour? ‘The Thingamabob’ is one such story, carrying the readers; novice and more experienced, along for the pursuit of meaning.
  • From the first full-page layout, readers are enchanted with the comical character of elephant, perched upon the back of a dinosaur, gazing with open curiosity at... the thingamabob. Through ardent trial-and-error, elephant is determined to discover the true meaning of this mysterious object. Finally, after a few raindrops fall, elephant discovers that this incredible object has an amazing use---it can keep him dry.
  • Il Sung Na's illustrations are exuberant and fresh. The page layouts are varied in size, shape, perspective and colour intensity. This variance in visual stimulation remains true to the book's underlying theme of discovery.
  • The real strength of this picture book is undoubtedly the seamless integration of illustration and text. This title should prove to be a fun choice for sharing with those still full of wonder and curiosity.
  • Reviewed by
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  • author and illustrator : Il Sung Na
  • publisher : meadowside Children's Books
  • edition : Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9781845393618

 

Yummy. My Favourite Nursery Stories by Lucy Cousins

 

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  • Lucy Cousins is best known for her Maisy books which in 2010 will be celebrating their 20th anniversary! For this book however Cousins has moved away from her synonymous character to provide children with a grisly but honest and accessible version of some of her very own favourite nursery stories.
  • These are not friendly and cosy stories. We all know that fairy tales and nursery rhymes have dark roots and it is sometimes hard to know how to tell them to children who could potentially be very upset at the thought of the wolf eating little red riding hood before being chopped open by the woodcutter. Or the horrible wolf who eats two of the three pigs, the bog bears who frighten Goldliocks and the troll who terrorizes the goats. I remember always playing troll games with my family and loving it when we were little but not all children are so resilient!
  • For children needing a first taste of drama and narrative the comfort and familiarity of Lucy Cousins style of illustration is here accompanied by her simple but honest retelling of eight of her own favourite fairy stories. The larger than life illustrations which are bright and simple are also loose and gutsy making good use of the white space and really catching the eye of the reader. They are intentionally unlife-like so as not to frighten the reader and children will be able to accept that this is not true to life. The tales are therefore traditional yet contemporary, modern and yet original. They will have a strong appeal to parents wanting to find a way into this genre with very young children and would make great story time reads at pre-school.
  • A find, bright, colourful and imaginative take on some old classics.
  • Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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  • author and illustrator : Lucy Cousins
  • publisher : Walker Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £14.99
  • ISBN : 9781406316216