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Picturebook Reviews
All the Things We Carry
Helen Docherty, illus. Brizida Magro, pub. Alison Green Books
What a lot of things we carry throughout our lives. We can carry pebbles, and pictures and warm blankets, but we can also carry worries and sadness and the weight of the whole world on our shoulders. Somethings are a lot easier to carry than others and this book shows how important it is to help each other, when times get tough.
The first few pages ask the question: Could you carry…? Demonstrating inanimate objects that are easy to carry, but then the theme changes, ever so subtly at first – can you carry a blanket that makes a den to share? Sharing is such a wonderful thing to be able to do with friends. In doing so, we carry kindness in our hearts. What about hope or a memory? Can you carry these? Yes, you can! We can’t see them, but they are so very important in keeping hope alive and the memory or a person with us.
I think there are so many lessons to learn from the words in this book: ‘You can carry a worry, deep down inside. But that worry, once shared, has nowhere to hide.’ This leads to the ultimate carry – each other! What a wonderful thing to do.
Helen Docherty has written this book in a wonderful lyrical rhyme, which is perfect for reading out loud, and it is spectacularly illustrated by Brizida Magro, using fun, bright colours, bursting straight out of the page, that children can identify with. It’s a book that celebrates all the many precious things we carry, from toys and treasures all the way though to love and hope, and finally in caring for each other – this is certainly a book with an inspiring message for both children and adults alike.
Claire Webb
Bea’s Bad Day
Tom Percival, pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Bea is really looking forward to her birthday: she’s marking the days on the calendar, and she just knows it’s going to be the most wonderful day ever. She gets even more excited when it starts to snow, but the snow continues to fall, and her grandparents and other family members are unable to make the journey. The postman can’t get through to deliver cards and presents, and Dad can’t get the party food from the shops. Bea’s happiness is SHATTERED, and Tom Percival shows this with cracks over the pictures as she gloomily accepts one present from Mum, and sadly takes a phone call from Bampi.
When she reluctantly goes sledging with brother Archie, a few of the cracks disappear, and when they get back home, the house is warm. Mum and Dad have made decorations and a cake, just as Bea had imagined. But Dad trips over the dog, and the lovely cake ends up upside-down on the table. Bea stares at the cake, then we turn over the page, and we see that she grins, and takes a spoonful of messy cake, because birthday cake is always delicious, even if it doesn’t look quite as expected!
Tom Percival points out in the introduction that it’s not always a good idea to get very excited. Sometimes real life does turn out to be wonderful, but if it doesn’t, it can be very hard to cope with the disappointment. We must take pleasure in little things around us, and leave unhappiness behind, as Bea finally does, but aways let people know how we’re feeling. Bea’s expressions are excellently pictured, especially the really cross face which also features on the cover, and it’s good that her loving family shows positive ways to help her to feel better. This is part of the series Big Bright Feelings, and it’s one of eight written and illustrated by Tom Percival, covering topics from worrying to making friends and telling fibs - which may well be useful for discussions on feelings.
Diana Barnes
Betty’s Birthday
Celine Ka Wing Lau, pub. Cicada Books
There’s something about an interactive picture book. They all have that very special timeless quality about them which means they also appeal to children of varying ages. With Betty’s Birthday Celine Ka Wing Lau brings together many differing elements to engage the reader. It is these elements that give it its timeless quality and that will see you coming back to reread time and time again - it’s been a favourite book in our house over the weeks since it arrived for review!
Betty is turning six! Through the pages of the book, we follow along with the celebrations that she has planned for this big day. Inside there are opportunities to find elements on the page, the reader is given the autonomy to make choices (the pizza toppings page is a firm favourite with my children), and practice counting too. With many of the prompts being open ended, Betty’s Birthday lends itself to being a picture book that is reached for by little hands (and big ones) time and time again.
Betty’s Birthday works beautifully as a social story around celebrating birthdays, taking us through many of the elements we may celebrate. Betty’s own birthday story benefits from the added bonus that it allows the reader to interact with the experience, making it their own. My own daughter has recently turned six herself and really bonded with the book, anticipating her own transition. This would make a fantastic birthday gift or book to read together to discuss upcoming celebrations.
Hannah Bartleet
Billie’s Buzz
Alison Brown, pub. Farshore
I love bees, I hope we all at least care about them and try to do what we can, with wildflowers and other natural habitats to help them survive. As with all animals they play a vital role in our ecosystems. They produce delicious honey too. Bees are incredibly industrious. If you look into a beehive you will see just how busy honeybees are. Remember however there are many varieties of bee and they are all important. They are all also perhaps one of the more misunderstood of the creatures of the natural world. After all, when they buzz… Yes…
We all know what happens when we hear a buzz and see it is coming from a bee ~ we panic. But Billie and her boy are here to tell us there is more to bees than their buzz and that it is incredibly important for us to not only realise but also recognise this. Alison Brown’s Billie’s Buzz introduces us to Billie, an incredibly talented bee. She is cute, intelligent and agile. Above all though she would like to be someone’s pet so that she can enter the pet show. She knows it will require hard work and training but both she and the boy are willing and so they set about making their preparations. Once the big day comes they are both incredibly excited but the boy does make sure to remind Billie not to buzz. Billie gets through all the pet show tests, she is brilliant at everything … but then comes the final task, the obstacle wall. This is when Billie has no choice but to buzz… She is, after all a bee. Which also means the show organisers disqualify her for not being a real pet.
The story does not end there however, for there are some people who were at the pet show who have other ideas. And just because Billie no longer needs to be a pet, after the show is over, that doesn’t mean a thing, because there is still Billie, there is still the boy and… Well, I will leave you to discover the joyful ending that Alison Brown gives us. Her illustrations are magical, she brings additional vibrancy to the story with them, Billie becoming incredibly real and everything being charming to look at and discover the detail in. A delightful celebration of being a bee and of being yourself.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
The Boy On Fire
Sarthak Singa, pub. Flying Eye Books
Til is the boy on fire. As he gets angry, he gets hotter and hotter, burning everything that he touches. Being different and alone is tough, and the fire within him gets bigger and bigger, so that he can’t sleep, and we even see his bed on fire.
So, he runs away, and shouts at the sky, so loudly that a star comes swooshing down. Til and the star recognise each other and have a lot of fun with their lights throughout the night. This helps Til learn to shape his flames and to glow when he wants to, but also learn how to be quiet. The star advises Til to keep the fire up, keep it lit, as then he and the star can always be found, even in the dark. Then it heads back to the sky. That is when Til realises he isn’t angry any more. At school the next day he realises that he no longer feels so different, and as he shares his light and his stories, he finds he has friends. Soon everyone wants to glow like Til.
Your reviewer was unsure what to make of this admittedly very beautiful book. Perhaps the boy needs to come to terms with his difference, and control his anger, but then he is not illustrated as a boy, unlike the other children: he is always a fiery blob with big round eyes, and stick-like legs, and we are shown the bookcase, as well as his bed, actually on fire. How does he play with a star? As the author is also the illustrator, this must be as he intends it to look. Looking for some guidance, this review, probably by the publisher, states: “The Boy on Fire will ignite young hearts and remind readers of all ages that our differences are what make us shine brightest. Embrace the warmth, embrace the light, and discover the joy of being uniquely you!” Make of it what you can!
Diana Barnes
The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk
Anne Booth, illus. David Litchfield, pub. Templar Books
This is a truly inspirational book about kindness and perseverance.
Why is there a ‘troll’ in a cave that never wants to come out and play with the other children? Why does he always want to be left alone? Why do the other children do just that – leave him alone? All that is, except one.
Before you even open the book, you are treated to a most beautiful front cover, depicting a very serene boy, drawing pictures on the ground, with chalk. Behind him, is a cave, which is surrounded by flickers of delicately gold flowers – like mystical enchantments. This is the first inkling that something magical could happen within the pages of this book. And it does!
The boy returns every day, to start a new picture outside the cave. Every day, it is completed by the ‘troll.’ The troll keeps himself hidden from sight and will only engage with the boy through art. Eventually, the boy draws a picture of himself, holding out a hand and the next day, that hand is being held by a scary troll. Is this how the hidden person sees themselves?
The boy has other ideas and starts to change the picture of the troll into a picture of a boy – just like him. With encouragement and patience, the troll emerges from the cage, as a boy. The things that made him feel like a troll have disappeared.
Sometimes, we have feelings that we can’t comprehend or put into words, and we don’t feel ourselves anymore. This book is about the power of art therapy and how it can be used to help people, especially children, who don’t necessarily have the vocabulary to talk about their feelings, find a way to articulate their emotions. The topic is a complex one, but the narrative is simple and engaging. Its overarching message is one of love and kindness – amazing qualities to instil in every child. The illustrations compliment the storytelling so well, starting with some darkness that slowly dissipates and the pages become filled with happy, bright colours that children would often use themselves.
This book is an absolute delight and I can’t wait to read it to my children!
Claire Webb
The Boy Who Painted the World
Tom McLaughlin, pub. Oxford Children’s Books
The Boy Who Painted the World is a sweet story about turning mistakes into creative triumphs.
When a boy wanders into a blank book, he thinks it looks empty until he stumbles into a talking paintbrush and trips over some pots of paint that are making a huge mess. The boy apologises but the paintbrush shows him how to transform a messy green splodge into a dinosaur with just a few little brush strokes. The nervous boy claims he can’t paint, but the friendly paintbrush encourages him to try some simple shapes and soon the boy is letting his own imagination run free, turning squares into robots, steam trains and even dumper trucks. “You’ve turned nothing into something. You’ve made art!” exclaims the paintbrush.
Growing in confidence with every stroke of the brush, the boy turns circles into birds, triangles become boats and eggs have legs. After that there’s no stopping the boy on his creative journey where colours fly everywhere and nobody minds the mess.
This is a wonderfully positive tale about the artist inside us all, the joy and freedom of the artistic process rather than the end product. The book closes with some simple paintings to try and remember, “there’s no such thing as a mistake, just a world of possibilities.”
Janet Ling
Changing Tides
Júlia Moscardó, pub. Little Tiger
Changing Tides by Júlia Moscardó is a beautiful, gentle tale of Lula’s first steps with her new blended family – her dad is now with Theo’s mum, Simone, and they are going on their first holiday together. Will Lula and Theo get along, how will this new family blend?
Lula isn’t sure what to expect and she is very grumpy about the idea of sharing her bucket and spade – Dad’s singing does cheer her up though. At the beach, it is the same bucket and spade along with the suggestion of making a sandcastle that begin to bring Lula and Theo together. But as the sea laps at the foundations of their new creation – covered in shells that Theo has found, patiently built by the two of them – how will they cope with the threat of the changing tide? A fantastic and subtle metaphor.
Júlia Moscardó’s words and pictures work in symbiosis to show us the journey from Lula and Theo’s apprehension to the success of their sandcastle on the beach. The evocative illustrations and gentle text create a space of love and caring for Lula’s story to unfold upon. Perhaps representative of the care both parents have gone to, to bring their families together. The beauty of the shared sandcastle, and thoughtful development of Lula and Theo’s relationship as new siblings will tug at your heart. It is a powerful, yet gentle pull. This book will immerse your little reader in the world of the seaside, the race against the tide and the ups and downs of creating new friendships and families.
Ideal for 3+, reading at bedtime or anytime. A thoughtful story, and a book that promotes understanding of the challenges and joys of forming a new family and gaining a sibling. A beautiful picture book that will fill your heart to the brim.
Anja Stobbart
The Elephant and the Sea
Ed Vere, pub. Penguin Random House Children’s Books
The Elephant and the Sea is a wonderfully warm and hopeful story about following your dreams, even though the goal posts keep changing. Written and illustrated by Ed Vere, it is the story of Gabriel, who as a young elephant wanted to be a member of the lifeboat crew. However, first he was too small for the boat and then, as he grew, he was too large for the boat; so, he built a vessel that was strong enough for him to sail in. When a giant storm threatens the fishing fleet and the rescue lifeboat, the heroic Gabriel has to be the one to come to the rescue.
As an island nation we are very aware of the dangers around our coasts, yet the sea has held a fascination for many and over the centuries many brave sailors have manned lifeboats to help those in distress.
This story is all about friendship and teamwork, reminding us that everyone can feel involved in what is going on, regardless of their background or abilities. It is basically a call to understand the importance of diversity and how differences can add so many dimensions to the way that people work together. Once again Ed Vere has given us some amazing illustrations and has created a wonderful central character in Gabriel. The energy and power in some of the image’s contrasts perfectly with the quiet and reflective pictures that show the calmer elements. This is a picture book that is thoughtful and one that gives the children a chance to use their imaginations. Fantastic for nursery and KS1.
Margaret Pemberton
Gorgeously Me!
Jonathan Van Ness, illus. Kamala Nair, pub. Walker Books
Gorgeously Me! by Jonathan Van Ness is a delightful read. It has selflove oozing its way through every page and even oozing out of its covers! It is a completely charming poetry book for the youngest children. The magic of a New York Times bestselling author, social activist, queer voice amplifier and an illustrator, who is also an architect, coming together for this book, shines throughout the pages.
The reader begins traversing the pages and the poems with a group of gorgeous kids who are each aware of their own individuality! A little girl looks in the standing mirror and affirms –
“I am exactly who I’m meant to be.
Perfectly, happily, gorgeously me.”
Another child with her dazzling blue afro asserts to her readers-
“I won’t be afraid to stand out,
I’ll show the world what I am all about.”
The vibrantly illustrated pages take readers on a life affirming journey of friendship, honesty, compassion, self-love and a reminder that we need to be harnessing the joy within ourselves. The book feels like the happy feast enjoyed at a celebration with magical confetti flying everywhere signifying the celebration of ‘you.’ It’s inclusive and beautifully teaches the philosophy of loving and sharing joy from a space of wholesomeness. It’s truly a contemporary children’s book which can be gifted or purchased to inculcate the liberating of emotional intelligence in its readers.
Ishika Tiwari
Grey
Laura Dockrill, illus. Lauren Child, pub. Walker Books
Described in the blurb as a picturebook poem, this is truly a beautiful, engaging, poignant book with an important message and mindful nature. Using the psychological connection between colours and emotions it explores how a child expresses their feelings by describing themselves as being “grey” today. They aren’t “treetop green” or “big hug red” but like “the storm in the clouds,” “the puddle in the road,” they are pavement grey.
Being grey means feeling lonely, not like yourself, but the appearance of a mother-figure brings reasoning and reassurance. The child learns that the colours are inside waiting to be seen. “Sunshine yellow” sits in the pool made by the storm, pavements can be drawn on in any colour. All the colours are their feelings, it’s okay to feel the way they do, it’s not permanent, and most importantly, she will always love them however they are feeling even when its grey. The soulful tender text is enriched by Child’s distinctive illustrative style and an appealing tactile cutout feature. The child is depicted entirely in grey tones until the end of the book, when colours begin to permeate as they feel more settled and reassured by the adult. This is a heartwarming visual representation of the overall subject matter – colour is a powerful communication tool.
There are so many scenarios where this book could be used, it’s not so much a standard story to read with somebody but more a concept book to use as a talking point when dealing with big emotions and situations including grief, homesickness, depression, loneliness, illness. The use of imagery to associate a colour to a feeling, for example, “lullaby blue” could be an activity for an adult to do with a child when reading the book, allowing them to come up with their own imaginative comparisons.
Sitting comfortably alongside titles like The Colour Monster and the contrasting but complementary This is Happy!, Grey is an important, compassionate book about emotional wellbeing. They state the importance of accepting feelings without being ashamed or disguising them. They recognise that these emotions will change over time, and that feeling grey or sad is just as legitimate as being happy. Significantly they do not try to cheer the unhappy child up but reassure them it is and will be okay. A sensitive, subtle, rich book full of warmth, kindness, and of course colour.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
The Legend of the Wild West Twins
Jodie Lancet-Grant, illus. Katie Cottle, pub. Oxford
The Legend of the Wild West Twins is the brilliantly imagined Wild West, now populated by children but no less complicated!
Buffalo Lil and Buffalo Jill are twin sisters who couldn’t be more different. But Jill is totally behind her twin sis, Lil entering the Rip-Roarin’ Rumble; the wildest cowboy contest in the west, even if other cowboys try and talk her out if it! But first Jill must beat the legend and reigning Rumble champion, Yee-Haw Jack – he has been the champion for ages! Can Buffalo Lil make sure her sister is treated fairly in the rumble? Does Yee-Haw Jack live up to his heroic image? How DO you spot a hero? Actions often speak louder than words…
This is a delight of a picture book, Jodie Lancet-Grant whips us up and carries us along with plot twists and humour, celebrating differences and the power of honestly and being true to yourself. Katie Cottle’s illustrations have a life of their own and I challenge you not to smile as you read through this high-speed tale. There is also girl power, which is always good to see. Girls working together and supporting each other still needs celebrating.
Ideal for 3+, great reading at bedtime or anytime. A brilliant story, and a book that promotes understanding of being true to yourself, supporting each other, and that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Anja Stobbart
Little Lion Girl
Olivia Hope, illus. Fiona Woodcock, pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Leonie is excited: she is going on an adventure to the big city! This is Little Lion Girl and it is Leonie’s story.
Leonie loves to roam and roar while discovering new places. She soon learns, however, that being alone in the big city is scary after losing sight of where her mother is. Not all lions are fearless all the time and Leonie soon finds that out as her roar quietens – the jungle has started to feel very big for one little lion girl. Once reunited with her pride again, her strength comes back and she realises that sometimes others can bring the strength that you seek in moments which are more difficult. Little Lion Girl is a wonderful picturebook, capturing the emotions associated with exploring new places perfectly. The excitement, the noise, the diversity but also the unknown are all explored within the pages of this book which would be suitable for young ones who love discovery!
The different fonts and text styles used for particular words on each page direct the reader as to how the book should be read; a useful tool for any parents modelling how to read with intonation. Fiona Woodcock’s illustrations are super. Each page is filled with vibrant illustrations that bring the story to life and capture Leonie’s feelings perfectly – she uses colour cleverly, especially when Leonie gets lost and becomes scared. She represents other characters as animals by their clothing choices and hair which is a thoughtful touch as well as engaging for the reader – trying to spot what animals each person may be is fun!
This is a lovely story about strength, courage and overcoming fear.
Tom Joy
Mushrooms Know: Wisdom From Our Friends the Fungi
Kallie George, illus. Sara Gillingham, pub. Greystone Kids
What do you know about mushrooms? Can you name some different varieties, maybe you know what they look like, perhaps you have even eaten some. And before we continue, I will just stop there and say: please be very careful when you see mushrooms in the wild. Only ever touch them or pick them if you are with someone who officially knows which ones are safe. Now, in the meantime we can use the safety of a charmingly educational story to learn more about mushrooms but, perhaps even more importantly, we can use it to find out just what it is that mushrooms know.
If we take a moment to think about it, it becomes very clear that mushrooms must be very wise indeed, they must know a lot. How do we know that? Well, have you noticed that mushrooms like to wear caps, their thinking caps, in fact they seem to be always wearing them. There are so many things they know, that they want to share with us, so where shall we start? I find the beginning the best place and this is where we learn what the different mushrooms, well some of them and in this case the four that Sara Gillingham has so wonderfully illustrated to somehow look comic-esque and real all at the same time! Mushrooms grow out of the ground which means they know a lot about what is beneath the surface. They know how to both stand firm and spread out, be free. They know that their uniqueness is a reason for celebration and once more we see them in all their glory! On we go, discovering all the things that mushroom knows, stopping to read more detail, to look at them in more detail. Kallie George has, after all, packed this book full of fascinating facts.
What I hope many readers will come away with is a newfound respect for the humble mushroom but also that there is a whole science of mushrooms. They will also discover how we can learn from mushrooms. Learn how to help one another, to take care of the spaces around us, above us, below us. And perhaps most importantly we can all learn to celebrate our uniqueness. The perfect guide for budding mycologists and anyone who feels a little small in the big world, who needs a little comfort and, above all, reassurance.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
No.5 Bubblegum Street
Mikolaj Pa, illus. Gosia Herba, pub. Greystone Kids
This is a crazy party of a picture book with brightly coloured, childlike illustrations that reward attention and draw you into the lives of the residents of No.5 Bubblegum Street.
We are introduced to these residents one by one. First there is Mouse, the famous rapper who can’t find his hat. Young children will love poring over the various places in Mouse’s apartment where the hat might be concealed. Next there are the monkeys in Apartment 2 who are baking a Speckled Orange Orangutan Cake with the recipe thrown in so you can recreate this delicacy at home. Mysterious Owl should be in Apartment 3, but where is she? Look out for her later in the book. The tour continues with Cat recording bird sounds, Panther and his plants and the Spider family with their famous Spider Orchestra.
The delightful pencil drawings capture the energy and activity of the various residents, and the many amusing details will be sure to keep little ones entertained. Hippo is dreaming of a great adventure; a bunch of singing frogs compose a new song and invite the reader to join in; Dog is sculpting a masterpiece and Bat shares dance moves in 21 easy steps.
Finally, the residents converge for their weekly party to show off their talents and the grand finale is an explosion of colour and fun. A joyful book that will appeal to children with a quirky sense of humour.
Janet Ling
Not-A-Box City
Antoinette Portis, pub. HarperCollins Children’s Books
What a truly delightful early picture book is for the very young child: Not-A-Box City. The main character is a ‘rabbit,’ who has decided that he is going to build himself a city out of cardboard boxes and other scrap materials. This is something that almost every child has tried at some time and the story will resonate with so many of them and the adults sharing the book. However, others want to come and help in the building, which leads to ‘rabbit’ getting more and more frustrated, as it is HIS city. Eventually he sees that each of the other creatures is bringing a new skill to the project and he begins to understand the value and importance of working together.
It is amazing how much can be gained by reading such a very (and deceptively) simple looking book. Each page only has a single short sentence at the most, but every word counts. The creatures are just black ink outlines, but again, character is achieved by the positioning of ears, arms and eyes. In fact, the only colour and texture at the beginning of the book comes from the cardboard boxes. Towards the end of the story ‘rabbit’ allows the chameleon to help paint the city. The simplicity of the illustrations means that this book would make a great starting point for young children to try out ways to create their own models and pictures. This is a definite winner for the nursery age child, learning to work together with others of their age and for older children, to encourage their storytelling skills.
Margaret Pemberton
Our Wild Garden
Daniel Seton, illus. Pieter Fannes, pub. Pushkin Press
When Ali and Poppy hear about wild gardening at school, they immediately start dreaming about all the adventures they could have. With their parents’ help, they transform their own ordinary and plain garden into a beautiful, less tidy space that can house a wide variety of animals and plants. They create a pond, a meadow, and cultivate a hedge so that it is perfect for hiding little creatures. It doesn’t take long for their garden to soon fill with gorgeous wildflowers, bringing pretty butterflies, hedgehogs, migrating birds, and much more. Each new year and new season bring Ali and Poppy new adventures, and eventually they begin to look forward to them in a whole new way.
Inspired by their children, the parents in the story are willing to change their ways, leading to the transformation of a space that is rich in experiences and enjoyment for the whole family. This allows them to reconnect with, and enjoy, all the amazing natural world has to offer. The stunning illustrations show how the family reconnects with their outside space and enjoy it as it continues to transform throughout each season. Their new garden brings them great joy as they share these experiences together.
Our Wild Garden could also be used in schools and community groups to inspire rewilding projects on site or in the wider community. The notes at the end of the book remind us that the space does not have to be a large one to achieve a place wildlife will want to visit.
A wonderful storybook for young children.
Katy Ralph
Pearl and Her Bunch
Momoko Abe, pub. Orchard Books
What can you do when you suddenly face the realization that you are different from the rest of your family?
That is the dilemma facing Pearl, when she finds that she does not look like anyone else in her family of green grapes. Her parents admit that she is actually a young pea, that they found her alone and adopted her, but that regardless they consider her part of the family. However, Pearl is unhappy to learn she is different and she runs away. Luckily she meets her friend Carlos (a carrot), who helps her to see that there are all kinds of families, all around us, and that families don’t have to all look the same to be part of the same bunch.
In a world where there are now many variations of what we mean by ‘family’, it is great to see such a humorous and yet meaningful little book that highlights the importance of acceptance. We all know families where someone looks different because of hereditary issues, disability, and adoption; but we also know that the conventional family does not always exist, that a new normal is in place. This story, with its use of fruit and vegetables as the characters, is able to highlight where we share similarities, whilst at the same time show us how we can maintain our individuality; after all grapes and peas are both green and round, but they differ in size, taste, texture. Pearl and Her Bunch can be read as both a delightful tale of family and friends, but it can also act as a starting point for discussion about the meaning of family.
Margaret Pemberton
Sparks of Imagination
Stephen Hogtun, pub. DK
Every child is born with something wondrous… It’s called your Spark of Imagination.
Sparks of Imagination is a lovely, luminous picture book and the latest creation of author and illustrator Stephen Hogtun. It is a stunning introduction to the power and wonder of the imagination and the confidence it can build if you look after it. Throughout the book each child’s Spark takes on a different form, from a bear in a tiara to a fluorescent jellyfish which lights up the dark! The Spark travels with the child giving them the confidence to journey into imaginary worlds where they can paint rainbows, shape clouds and SOAR.
Packed with inspiring messages about the power of individuality this important book also tackles the dangers of neglecting your imagination by letting dream stealers, time takers and inside makers take you away from what is important. Sparks of Imagination teaches children to become storytellers, to make emotional connections with others and improve their self-esteem, all using imaginative skills, creativity, and play.
The book was inspired by the author’s three young children. Their ideas, drawings, paintings and handprints feature throughout, infused with his own distinctive style of artwork. The colours glow from the page like the aurora borealis from the author’s native Norway.
A celebration of imagination for all. What will your Spark look like?
Janet Ling
Tell Me a Mitzi
Lore Segal, illus. Harriet Pincus, pub. NYRB Kids
This is a re-print of the original book of the same title initially published in 1970. New York Review, Children’s Books aims to bring classic texts back into circulation for a modern audience and with books such as this one they are also bringing back the lost and forgotten texts of fifty or more years ago.
The images and artwork of Harriet Pincus are suitably retro in feel and have an almost Sendak feel to them. Tell Me a Mitzi introduces us to Martha who lives in New York with her family. Within the book are three delightful stories, in which Martha asks for stories, hence the title, Tell Me a Mitzi. Here we have layers of story and storytelling, an absolute delight.
Each of the three stories gives the reader a wry insight, a look at the life of a child and toddler in the 1970s. Martha tries to take a trip to see her grandparents with her baby brother while their parents are asleep, only to discover she doesn't know their address. All the preparation that went into getting out of the house must be reversed, just in time for mother to awaken. Something that would probably not happen today! And when the entire family get a cold, they learn to take care of each other. Utterly charming.
Delightful and humorous, this set of stories will enchant new readers and cause older ones to reminisce about their own experiences of growing up and the stories they shared.
Erin Hamilton
This Is Happy!
Anna Ross, illus. Debi Gliori, pub. Otter Barry Books
One of the elements of mindfulness is noticing the simple things in life and acknowledging their impact on the senses, understanding and appreciating them – in essence – celebrating the little things and finding comfort in them. Ross and Gliori do this with aplomb in This Is Happy! encouraging us to look closely at the world around us, to “slow down, pause and find our happy.” Following five diverse families, all with pre-school age children, we are taken through a melodic and gentle series of activities such as painting rainbow skies; smelling the earth after rain; dressing up; creating new worlds, jumping in puddles without worrying about getting muddy and so on. They encourage readers to be in the moment, employing senses and imagination, finding peace in the world and with loved ones.
The finale urges readers to consider where they can find their own happy, encouraging them to try the suggested activities but also think about how to implement the techniques in their own life. This could be a fun, engaging experience for the young reader and their wider family group to attempt, possibly when in need of something different to do over the summer holidays. There is something in taking time out to notice the little things, the supposedly insignificant details in the world, which shows that you don’t need expensive toys and so on, it makes you appreciative for what you have and is both soothing and thought-provoking.
The illustrations are gorgeous, full of detail, humour, and vibrancy. The jumping in puddles scene, in particular, is rich in earthy tones and charming touches like the mittens attached to the coat sleeves and the girl’s hat dripping in mud. The text is lyrical, simple and tender, instructive but friendly – “lie down in the grass and stay as still as you can. Notice all the different things you see and hear.” The productive and interactive activities; the slowing down and focusing on how things feel, smell, appear; the emphasis on wellbeing and family; the lullaby meditative feel of the book; the diverse characters all make this a joyous book to celebrate. This Is Happy! Is important and useful for the young child and all the family.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
Time Runs Like a River
Emma Carlisle, pub. Big Picture Press
With her latest beautifully illustrated picture book, Time Runs Like a River, the award-winning artist Emma Carlisle takes the reader on a journey of appreciation for the movement of time. Time runs like a river, never resting, moving steadily on. But if we notice how different each minute can be, we can appreciate them before they are gone.
Not only is this a wonderfully informative book, but it is also a fantastic tool for introducing other educational topics such as the animals that live in and around rivers, the river ecosystem, and how there are new obstacles and changes that must be overcome, in nature and beyond, as time goes by. It is a great story to encourage, not only little ones, but all of us, to slow down and appreciate the changing world around us. Aside from themes related to mindfulness and nature, the book also contains a really useful non-fiction section at the back that could be used as a teaching tool with children. It would be a great resource for schools.
I see this book as primarily a book about change, and it is truly a delight to read. Readers will fall in love with the outstanding watercolour illustrations and rhyming text. You really cannot help but enjoy reading this book with children, or even alone.
Katy Ralph
Wherever You Go
Alexandra Penfold, illus. Suzanne Kaufman, pub. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
As if written from a parent to a child, this picture book shows various families, with combinations of parents, carers, children, ethnicities and faiths, watching their children grow, enjoying the things they do together, and wondering what they will be. The children are preschooler’s ready to graduate and take the next step, to move to ‘big school.’
Some of the children have religious head coverings, one is in a wheelchair, some have gappy teeth, others wear glasses, and there are all kinds of hairstyles and idiosyncratic clothing choices: all are shown, in vibrant colour, having lots of fun in very many ways. With her illustrations Suzanne Kaufman is showing us that we can all be who we are, we can all accept others for who they are and that we are all unique.
We also see how the parent is proud of the child when they do their best, as much as when they know it’s time to rest. Alexandra Penfold’s rhyming text brings an easy flow to the words and when reading the book aloud the positive message of love is very comforting. This partnership has already published the similarly positive picture books: All Are Welcome (about starting school), Big Feelings, and We Are All Neighbours, and this vibrantly colourful book should be equally useful for young children, it continues the theme of acceptance, of growing up and shows children they can be ready to take on the world.
Diana Barnes
Whisper to the Rescue
Rose Robbins, pub. Scallywag Press
Did you know that it is possible for a dragon to be both small and quiet? It is also possible for them to be the smallest and the quietest. Small I can understand, after all they must hatch from an egg and then grow into a full-sized dragon so that means they must begin life as small dragons. But quiet? Only when they are asleep on their piles of treasure, dreaming sweet dreams are they quiet surely? Rose Robbins is here to tell us otherwise.
Whisper to the Rescue is the story of the aptly named Whisper. Whisper is the smallest and the quietest dragon on the mountainside. Because he is small and quiet Whisper notices everything but it means that his family don’t notice him. How is one small, quiet dragon going to get the attention of his whole family when they don’t notice him but he needs them to listen. After all they have put their mountain in danger and Whisper knows how to help them. You will easily spot Whisper once you open the book. He is the little blue dragon where all his family are red. He is also small. And with Rose Robbins’ individualistic art stye the illustrations truly bring him, his family, to life. Whisper, his family, and all the dragons are happy on their mountain. They can eat berries and acorns and Whisper always makes sure they don’t take more than they need. They also like to have fires. The bigger the better.
But these fires are hurting the mountain, they are making the birds cough and something needs to be done or the other animals will have to find new homes. Whisper tries, he really does, to get the attention of his family. But they smile, pat his head and don’t listen. Whisper needs the help of his friends, Bear and Owl. The three create a plan which they put into action whilst Whisper’s family are sleeping. When they wake up and see what the three friends have done, what Whisper has been trying to tell them they realise the importance of listening, of doing the right thing and of solving problems together. The mountain animals can once again live in harmony thanks to a small, quiet, caring dragon.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Worry Boots
Lisa Thompson, illus. Aysha Awwad, pub. Scholastic
When one of my nephews started preschool he found, for a while, that his feet mysteriously got stuck to the doormat just outside the entrance and whatever he did they remained stuck like glue to the floor. As such, Thompson and Awwad’s humorous and gentle picturebook about a little girl who discovers that there is something both surprising and uncomfortable inside her new boots stopping her walking to school on her first day, struck a chord.
Worry Boots introduces us to Connie whose uncertainty about school manifests itself through the fact that there is something in her boot. Inspired by things she sees on her journey this unpleasant object could be, thinks Connie, a dinosaur’s bumpy bottom; a unicorn’s spiky horn; a shark’s pointy tooth. She imagines the creature admonishing her for standing on it, and strangely her tummy begins to feel uneasy in just the same way the object does. She also tells her mum that the other children will stare or laugh at her or be scared of her. Each time her mother reassures her that this won’t be the case the painful object vanishes until, a little later on the journey, it transforms into the new animal.
By showcasing a child’s imagination in a gentle way and with appealing colourful illustrations full of interesting touches and details, such as the appearance of familiar creatures in the classroom, or the gathering at the bus stop, Worry Boots reminded me of Rebecca Cobb’s picturebook Lunchtime. There is a serious message in the book, which Connie’s mum tells her when she gets the offending pebble out of her boot: “sometimes when we worry about something it can feel scarier than it actually is.” As such this book can be used to reassure those anxious about starting school but also any other concerns the young reader may have.
Worry Boots is a sweet, charming, amusing book celebrating imagination but also providing reassurance and encouragement regarding dealing with worries and anxiety.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
