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Picturebook Reviews
Cloud Boy
Gregg Stobbs, pub. Oxford Children’s Books
This is not a nature story, not a story about clouds, though it could be. No, this is a story about a young boy with distracting thoughts. Bobby is a neurodivergent child, and he finds that it can be challenging to contain his thoughts, there are after all so many things to see and do around him. When he gets distracted, he starts to float hence the idea of Bobby being a Cloud Boy, one who is perhaps seen as having his head in the clouds.
Now I know that I for one can relate to Bobby. I am constantly distracted by interesting things around me, by questions, including just the other day one about clouds. Seeing a completely cloudless sky made me wonder aloud where the clouds go to when we can’t see them. My logically minded husband tried to explain it in scientific terms but that wasn’t what had me, like Bobby, distracted, it was the ideas the thoughts generated. I share this example because I am fortunate enough to have people in my life who may not fully understand but allow me the freedom to have these wonderfully random thoughts.
Bobby’s family don’t understand, at first, and Bobby himself feels that he would like to be able to concentrate like his friends do. His family try all manner of different things to try and keep Bobby on the ground. The result is that Bobby feels empty. It takes time, patience and some trial and error but before long Bobby’s family and friends realize that rather than trying to make him like them the best way to understand him is to think a little like he does.
An incredibly uplifting and positive story about neurodivergence, celebrating it as we all should try to do.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Don't Laugh at Giraffes
Dyan Sheldon, illus. Alex Willmore, pub. Magic Cat
One day a little boy visits his grandad and asks him how he can be happy, just like his grandad is. So, grandad sits him down and gives him sound advice such as "don't jeer at deer, hurl blossoms at possums and don't put socks on a fox" and certainly not to "tie balloons to baboons or mock the croc because they have feelings too." "Large or small, whether silent, loud or smart. The world's a vast and complex place and all things play their part."
The concept behind this story is deceptively simple, a young boy asking a grandfather who is clearly a role model, how he too can be happy. That in itself is an absolute charm. As we explore with the little boy and his grandfather we realise that what we need to do, how we can be happy, is through kindness. Being thoughtful, kind, caring, having a smile and in the case of this wonderful story, sharing laughter, are all the different keys that we can use to unlock happiness in ourselves and the world around us.
This is a delectable rhyming story about being kind to all creatures, of any size or shape, with amusing and really sweet illustrations by Alex Willmore. Lovely.
Carol Farley
Do Not Say These Words
Frances Tosdevin, illus. Rhian Wright pub. UCLan
Small children will love this picturebook. For one thing, it is full of ‘naughty’ words. Thankfully, it replaces those naughty words with alternatives that aren’t at all silly, like ‘Squirtle-plop’ and ‘Floppy peach-cheeks’. For another, it is packed with big, bright and very pink illustrations. I love Rhian Wright’s bold style; subsequent readings will allow you to pick up on all the funny little details, like the post-it notes dotted all over the lab.
The story follows a female professor who is determined to ban funny words because they make children giggle – the resulting giggle-gas is threatening to make the world wobble and fall of its axis. My favourite characters are the amphibian scientists who manage to sneak onto each page and struggle to contain their own giggles.
In a world where book bans are a hot, and frankly horrifying, topic perhaps there are some subtle messages here about the power of words, but all that is secondary to the ultimate aim of the story – to make listeners laugh. Do Not Say These Words is great for sharing if you can manage to keep a straight face and revolting in that way that children love; be warned though, it is bound to produce lots of silliness and giggle-gas!
Louise Clover
Felix Found An Egg
Charlie Miller, pub. Flying Eye Books
Felix loves being outside in his garden where he can do anything: laugh, play and imagine that he is on exciting adventures while lying on the grass. There is one area of the garden which Felix prefers to stay away from though – the compost bin! When he plucks up the courage to go to the compost bin to tell the horrible monster who lives there to find his own garden, he instead finds an egg.
Felix’s imagination then runs wild as he creates multiple scenarios for what could be inside. Like any young child, Felix considers the benefits and drawbacks of the different possibilities and is taken on a rollercoaster from excitement to fear through each option that runs through his mind. The illustrations are brilliant and capture Felix’s thoughts and emotions in a colourful and creative way so that the reader feels that they are on the journey with him.
This is a lovely story that opens the imagination and explores the possibilities that can come from a small discovery. What would you want to be inside a mysterious egg that you found in your garden?
Tom Joy
Hannah and the Violin
Satoshi Kitamura, pub. Scallywag Press
Hannah is alone in her garden wishing there was somebody to play with when she stops to look at a leaf. When she finds a twig she suddenly has a violin and its bow. She pretends that she is creating music, soon there is an audience of animals, insects, birds and plants who sing and dance to her music which now has an “orchestra of clouds” accompanying her. Hannah is a solitary figure, until her mummy appears to announce that dinner is ready at the end of the story. Eagerly Hannah asks whether Mummy and Grandpa heard her playing the violin in the garden, which of course they had not. The final spread depicts Hannah performing her music to the adults.
The world Hannah imagines whilst playing music is vivacious, colourful, jaunty with curved fences and swaying lampposts, towering flowers, countless swarms of butterflies, bees, ladybirds and more. The company she wishes for has arrived and everything around her is dancing to her music. Kitamura has created a joyful celebration of imagination. There is a spontaneous, energetic, dreamlike feel to this book, especially the page where Hannah is floating in a royal blue sky where form is exaggerated with elongated curvy keyboards and flutes interspersed with abstract shapes and patterns, music symbols and stars. This cacophony of shape and colour feels Kandinsky-esque.
The way Kitamura is able to evoke such a sense of enchantment, connecting music, imagination, and play to nature and harmony is inspired, making this a deceptively simple picturebook which grows with meaning on each reading. This is a magical and special book.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
I Am Strong Just Being Me
Laura Dockrill, illus. Kip Alizadeh, pub. Little Tiger
In this rhyming picture book, a child called Bean is trying to work out what ‘strong’ means.
Does it have a shouty voice? Is it always right? Is ‘strong’ something to try to be? She/he asks Nanna, “because Nanna’s – like- know-it-all” what strong is, and whether they can be strong when they’re so small. Nanna goes through two examples of what strong isn’t: playing the hero and saying you’re fine when you’re not: and then several about what it is: protesting against wrongs, saying sorry, and forgiving someone. It’s OK to get things wrong and try again, to ask for help; it’s strong to celebrate other people, to show love, and to have room to grow. Finally, Nanna asks if the child thinks she, Nanna, is strong, because “there’s a lot of me in you.”
This book by the award-winning Laura Dockrill, shows a lovely relationship between Nanna in her dungarees, mostly in the garden, and the inquisitive child. (There are pictures of flowers on the end-papers, with their names and meanings, which is a nice touch.) It’s beautifully illustrated by Kip Alizadeh, colourful and positive, and this will be a lovely addition to the bookshelf or library, notably for ‘feelings’, but a comforting book to share at any time.
Diana Barnes
I'm Gonna Eat a Monster
Kael Tudor, illus. Scott Wilson, pub. Puffin Books
In Kael Tudor’s latest picturebook adventure you are invited to join Little Rabbit and Grey Wolf. This cheeky pair are on a quest to EAT a monster!
One morning, deep in the forest, Grey Wolf spots a delicious-looking rabbit which makes him think that it must be time for breakfast, but Little Rabbit isn't in the least bit scared. In fact, she has plans of her own for the day – plans to find and EAT a monster. But we all know monsters aren’t real … don’t we?
This book is such a hoot, I honestly couldn't stop laughing, there's a little red riding hood vibe about the story which adds an additional layer of humour for the adult reader as we all know how her story ends for the wolf! There are places for children to join in with the story, places where they can stomp, snigger and roar. This is one of those books that deserves to be read out loud, so this is what I did. After our younger children got their silver reading reward I read this to them and discovered that as much as I giggled when reading it to myself it really is even better read aloud.
And when it comes to the end of the story the twist is brilliant, you'll just have to read it yourself to see what author and illustrator have done with this story! This is a debut for illustrator Scott Wilson and his illustrations bring the book to life. A must read for the child in your life.
Helen Byles
Mr Norton’s New Hat
Huw Lewis Jones, illus. Corey Egbert, pub. Little Tiger
One Monday morning, Mr Norton finds that a mouse has made a house in his hat. Being a kind person, he doesn’t want to disturb it, so he goes to work all the same. And so begins a jolly, silly story as day by day, a new animal is added to Mr Norton’s menagerie. On Tuesday it’s some birds in his bicycle basket, on Wednesday a squirrel in his shoe, on Thursday a selection of stoats in his satchel … and so on in classic cumulative fashion. As the week progresses, the animals move into Mr Norton’s house. There’s a bear in the bath, a skunk in the sink and when Mr Norton goes to bed, he finds it’s already rather full! Will Mr Norton remain calm and kind, or will he lose his cool as the animals gradually take over?
Young children will adore hearing this hilarious story read aloud. The full-page illustrations add to the charm, with Mr Norton’s facial expressions being particularly entertaining.
The simple plot bounces along to reach a satisfying resolution that gives a message of kindness and tolerance.
A future classic which is ideal for sharing at home or a great addition to a school’s book corner, classroom or library.
Janet Ling
Our Wee Place
Sophie Kirtley, illus. Ellan Rankin, pub. O’Brien Press
I have never been to any part of Ireland but after exploring some of its most magical places with Emily and Granda, as described by Sophie Kirtley and illustrated in wonderful watercolours by Ellan Rankin, I want to!
This book will be an invitation to this island and specifically Northern Ireland where this book is set. It is as much about the wonder of a place as the wonder and joy family bring. If you have extended family, specifically grandparents, this story could be an inspiration for you too. The story reminds us that we should spend time with them and make sure to absorb the magic of the tales they can tell us. This is the story of one little girl, Emily, and the visits she makes to see her Granda every Saturday. It is all about their own special routine. It’s charming, magical and heartwarming.
Under the apple tree at the end of the garden they sit, Emily pours tea and Granda shows her photos. These photos take them both on magical adventures, to different places with every visit, every photograph. They visit all of Granda’s favourite places around their Northern Ireland home. Share in the magic of a homeland, in the fun grandparents bring to grandchildren and new friends.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
The Watering Can
Julien Baer, trans. Selene Bright, illus. Marie Dorléans, pub. NYRB Kids
Translated from French, this picture book is not country-specific, as the story happens in the land of a child’s imagination, on a street and in a flat that could be anywhere.
It starts with “On the street, the possibilities are endless”, as Nina, walking home from school, picks up a yellow watering can from a pile of junk outside a neighbour’s house. Watering the house plant is one of her weekly jobs, and she fills the can with warm water and gives it a drink before popping into the kitchen for a snack. On her return, she is amazed to find that it has grown, with its leaves touching the ceiling. Realizing that this must be because of the watering can, she enlarges one of her socks until she can crawl into it, makes her cat enormous, and enlarges the flat. Her parents will be so happy! The family car has been too small for all the holiday luggage, so that gets watered, and grows to a crazy size. She fancies being bigger herself- but she’s used all the water. She puts in some cold water, and sprinkles herself, but this time she shrinks! Nina is very good at thinking, and she works out that warm water makes things grow, but cold water makes them shrink. With some difficulty, as she is very small, she manages to put some warm water in the can, and jumps in, returning to normal size. She waters everything back to normal just in time before her mother comes home, then goes downstairs to return the watering can to the pile of junk, but she picks up a large paintbrush, which turns everything rainbow colours… We finish as we started: “On the street the possibilities are endless”.
Nina is not concerned, but delighted, by the transformations described by Julien Baer, and the possibilities of a child’s imagination are well illustrated in prize-winning Marie Dorléans’ colourful artwork. This is fun to read and share, and could lead to more speculations about what might happen if…?
Diana Barnes
We are Definitely Human
X. Fang, pub. Pushkin Press
This is a wonderful book about kindness and helping others.
A perfectly normal Mr and Mrs Li, live in a perfectly normal town in a perfectly normal house. They are visited by some perfectly abnormal beings, who claim that they are ‘definitely human’, even though it is incredibly obvious to the reader that they are not. These ‘definitely human’ beings are depicted, on the front cover, in vibrant neon pink, against a black background. It is incredibly eye-catching and the first inkling that we are going to meet some very unusual characters, as we turn the pages of the book.
These mysterious creatures are ‘definitely human’, after all they make business, play sports and wear hat. All very human things to do, aren’t they? They enter Mr and Mrs Li’s life, explaining that their ‘car’ has broken down, not expecting that Mr Li and the community will all pull together to help fix it. And even though there is something very strange about these creatures, not one of the community mentions anything about them – they welcome them and help them as if they are one of their own. The topic is simple – show kindness to all and accept differences and the narrative is simple and engaging.
The illustrations are bold and colourful. The ‘definitely human’ beings are so bright against the muted colours of the earthly background, really exaggerating the contrast between the two sets of beings. It’s such a clever technique. I read this to my class, and they absolutely loved it – the illustrations, the language, the story, and its message. It was a big hit, and I am sure it will be loved by all who read it!
Claire Webb
