.jpg)
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Picturebook Reviews
Aya Has Never Seen A Bear
Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, illus. Jiu’er, Aldana Libros, trans. Paul Qiao, adapted Helen Mixter, pub. Greystone Books
Aya Has Never Seen a Bear is a vibrantly stunning and gentle picturebook about the adventure a young girl and her grandpa have when they go in search of a bear in the woods where they live. Aya and her grandparents are members of the Oroqen, an ancient people of northern China, and their story begins with the three living in their hut alongside their dogs and horses. Grandpa has returned from hunting and is eager to take Aya into the deep woods to search for bears.
Their journey across different terrains of the woods leads to them encountering lots of wildlife such as roe deer, an eagle owl, dragonflies and moose. They don’t have to search for these creatures, Aya notices them easily as they pass them by, but when they stop at the place Grandpa has decided is the best vantage point, Aya realises that seeing a bear requires a lot of patience and being very still and quiet. When the mother bear and her three cubs finally emerge Aya holds her breath in awe. The “pure power” that she recognises in them is contrasted by both their playfulness as they explore and tumble on the mattress and other rubbish that have been left in the woods by other people and then their calmness as they cuddle up and sleep on the very same mattress. Eventually, when the bears have left, Aya and her grandpa collect all the rubbish and burn it. The Oroqen respect the bears and the forest that they share with them, they know that there is a danger to both if they get too familiar with each other.
The subtle message about protecting the natural world and the fragility of human’s impact on it is cleverly told in this very tender story which has some of the most gorgeous illustrations. The painterly scenes are rich in colour, texture, and detail, they absorb the reader into Aya’s world. This is a lovely powerful and serene book.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
The Heart of the Storm
Teresa Heapy, illus. Kate Read, pub. Otter-Barry Books
Ruby, the fox, and Growl, the wolf, live in the same part of the forest, but they are great rivals and really dislike each other. However, when a tremendous storm occurs, they are forced to help save not only themselves but one another. They face wind, rain, mud, torrents of water that threatens to wash them away. What they discover is that they both have individual strengths and by working together they are able to overcome the many dangers that face them. By the end of the story, they are friends who are happy to share a home together.
This is a wonderful story about the way that two animals, the two characters in this story, learn to become friends through helping each other in adversity. The illustrations are beautiful and I particularly like the one, early on, when we see lots of animals and birds being caught up in the wind and rain, just as Ruby trips and falls. Throughout the book we get a real sense of the power of the storm and the way that survival depends on working together. This is particularly important given that we have two very different animals, with a huge difference in size as well as individual characters and temperaments. From a human perspective this is about learning to work with, and understand, those who are different and appreciate their skills and knowledge. A brilliant addition to a KS1 classroom or library.
Margaret Pemberton
Hello Sleep
Saehan Parc, trans. Selene Bright, pub. New York Review Kids
Every night Sleep flits from eyelid to eyelid with her magic wand and sends everyone, including storks and earthworms, off to dreamland, but how does Sleep herself get some rest? Sleep wants to know, but whenever she turns up, everyone is asleep…
She rocks on a dandelion seedhead, lies down in Santa’s woolly beard, on the toasty top of a yurt, and even in the King of England’s satin sheets, (your reviewer thinks that King Charles would prefer Egyptian cotton, but it’s a possibility…) and many other places: in a lullaby, at the still centre of a meditation, but nothing works, until she stretches out next to a cat, and the cat’s “gentle purr, like a little train going by, every so quietly, sends her to sleep. Goodnight, Sleep.” The story is written as if the reader is addressing Sleep, a black and white blob that’s almost a human shape: “You drop by every evening…” The concept of one entity putting the world to sleep is as impossible as imagining Santa Claus delivering presents to everyone around the world in one night, but this picture book is aimed at very young children, though the Press Release says 4 -8, the top end of which age-range is probably too old.
Saehan Parc is French/Korean, and her style of illustration is simple and charming, particularly the stylised orchestra, and the row of little monks meditating. This is a pleasant bedtime story to share with small children.
Diana Barnes
Home of the Wild
Louise Greig, illus. Julia Moscardo, pub. Floris Books
Home of the Wild is a beautifully crafted and illustrated picture book set in the Scottish Mountains. Written by Louisa Greig, you can tell these are areas native to her as the descriptions are amazing and bring the characters and area to life.
The main character, a boy, has no name so the story isn’t focused on him as a person, but how he interacts with an orphaned fawn he finds in the forest. The boy is always outdoors, running and playing in the glens of Scotland and is always helping the animals he finds injured or giving shelter to those in a storm. When he finds the fawn, which he names Alba, his mother allows him to look after her, feed her and make her strong. They are inseparable and as she becomes stronger and independent his mother tells him that she needs to run wild and free. It is upsetting for him but he knows deep down she needs to be in her own environment. When the storm approaches, he searches for her, is lost and scared - shouting for help…
This story is one of friendship, how to let go of something you care about, knowing they will be better off in their own environment. An amazing story that has a carefully crafted and beautiful moral. The illustrations certainly showcase the Scottish landscape and having visited there, the colours are true to the actual scenery.
Helen Finch
Lion In A Hurry
Tiphanie Beeke, pub. Graffeg
Lion is looking forward to the Main Street Parade, and especially the Big Red Truck: “Roarsome!” So he sets off in his jeep, with not very much time in hand. On the way, he is hailed by other animals in difficulties: Cheetah has hurt his paw, a wheel has come off Snake’s skateboard, and so on. They even manage to fit in the elephant, who feels too old but wants to go, but of course that makes the vehicle very heavy, and they get stuck on the rickety bridge. Rescue comes in the shape of Hippo paddling a raft, and they just have time to get there if they don’t stop again, but then a cry comes from a kapok tree- it’s Potto the sloth.
Lion is paddling hard, and comes up with excuses: she’s so slow, someone else will help her… but then he asks himself “What if no-one helps her? What shall we do?” They wait for her but as the clock chimes 6 they are still on the river and think they’ve missed the parade. Finally, Potto reaches the raft and, too sad to paddle, they drift on the current towards Main Street - where everyone was waiting - the parade couldn’t start without the driver. It’s Potto the sloth who climbs into the driving seat of the Big Red Truck. “Want a ride?’ she asks Lion. “Roarsome!” he shouts as he leaps into the back, and the whole jungle sways with music and dancing as they lead the parade.
None of the animals seems inclined to eat the others, so this is a nice story about friendship, being helpful, and deciding what is important. The illustrations are colourful (except the one spread where they are sad and all blue) in a style looking like watercolour. Tiphanie Beeke is French, trained to Master’s degree level at the Royal College of Art in London, and now lives in France. She has previously illustrated many picture books, including a series about a fox called Fletcher, written by Julia Rawlinson, and the cover of this picturebook, showing Lion in his jeep (registration plate LION GO), packed full of animals, is attractive. Some of the vocabulary seems American: “you kooky crocodile,” “Snake scooched over,” but children are probably quite used to Americanisms, and this will be fun to read and share, possibly pausing to consider what Lion should do…
Diana Barnes
Mei Mei the Bunny
Laufey, illus. Lauren O’Hara, pub. DK
Mei Mei the bunny lives a life surrounded by music. Mama hums, Papa whistles and Mei Mei plays along on her violin. Her dream is to perform her music to an audience and to share it with the world. But nerves flutter in her tummy as she works towards her first recital. What if she plays a wrong note? Mama is there to gently advise that, “as long as the music comes from your little hare heart, you don’t have to be perfect.”
The story continues into Mei Mei’s dreams, and is illustrated throughout in beautiful, soft watercolours by Lauren O’Hara. Eventually, after months of practice, Mei Mei takes to the stage at the H’Opera House. The music builds, as do Mei Mei’s nerves, and she plays a wrong note! Oh no! What is a bunny to do? Channelling her inner calm, from earlier dreams of the forest, Mei Mei manages to embrace the wrong note, turning it into beautiful new music.
This heartwarming picture book by Grammy-award-winning Laufey, is packed full of musical terms helpfully defined in the glossary at the end. The plot is slightly contrived and convoluted, but the gorgeous illustrations pull it together and the message is clear: make music in your own way. This would make a wonderful gift for a budding young musician who takes their music seriously.
Janet Ling
The Lost Robot
Joe Todd-Stanton, pub. Flying Eye Books
When Mio the robot wakes up in a rubbish tip, they do not remember where they came from or how they got there. They set out to discover where they belong and, after finding a town full of people, they start to get memories of a past existence. However, there is no happy ending to that story, as they discover that the human child they once had has now got a replacement robot. Mio decides this means they are meant to be on the scrap heap and returns to the dump. But miracles can happen and Mio is lucky enough to experience one. When Mio is collected by a woman and child who repair unwanted materials the robot is brought back to a happy and useful life.
The author, Joe Todd-Stanton, is a firm favourite with his graphic-style books that can be read on several levels. This is a story about the wasteful society we live in and the importance of recycling and reusing materials that can still find a purpose. The illustrations suggest a world that is already struggling to survive and needs to rethink its priorities. I found a sentence at the end of the story very emotional as the robot “realized that even the most broken things can always be saved.” Of course, this message could apply to people as well as animals and materials and it is a lesson that we can all learn from. A wonderful read for children of Reception age upwards.
Margaret Pemberton
Mo’s Stick
Fiona Lumbers, pub. Little Tiger Press
Children love collecting things from nature - pebbles, shells and even sticks, so this book will immediately appeal to them. Mo, a charming little mouse, has a stick, or should I say HAD a stick, but it has gone. This book leads us through a conversation with Mo, as if we are part of the narrative, where Mo explains how special the favourite stick was and all the wonderful things that could be done with it, including drawing, flying, sailing, and fighting dragons. Mo, like most children, has an amazing imagination, which we get a glimpse of through the pages of this book.
However, Mo believes that all the adventures he has is because of his favourite stick. It is not until the final pages that Mo learns that the imagination lies within him, it is not there only because of the stick. This leads him to realise he can continue using this skill with other objects too. Mo’s Stick has been cleverly created by author and illustrator Fiona Lumbers using second person narrative, taking us on the journey, with Mo, asking him questions and joining in with his self-discovery. This is the sort of dialogue adults would have with children, gently guiding them to a place of self-awareness.
The illustrations complement this story, wonderfully, with its vibrant colours on a plain background- they really pop! But alongside this are the chalky wisps of planetary rings and the hump of a dragon's back. There is so much to see within its pages, some of which have die cuts, giving you a glimpse of the next part of the story - the sun becomes the moon, and the mountains become the sea. In fact, even the title on the front cover has been created with a die cut.
This book conveys a special message to its readers. It encourages them to realised they are not alone when they feel sad. It reminds them they have the resilience and strength to keep going, and that is all gently told through the viewpoint of a character's imagination. Discover, along with Mo, that you too can achieve anything if you believe in your creative self.
Claire Webb
Moon Moon Can’t Sleep
Jonathan Sung, pub. Bad Book Press
Oh dear, we might have a problem. You see, deep in the woods there is a house, it’s home to Moon Moon, the wolf boy. Just like many children Moon Moon loves to play, eat and of course sleep. In fact, he loves sleep so much that he could fall asleep just about anywhere and parents reading this book with your children, try not to be too envious about how easily he can sleep, your little ones might be encouraged!
But what is the problem? Surely it’s a good thing that Moon Moon finds it so easy to sleep. It is but there is something we are about to discover; you might have noticed the other character in the pictures with Moon Moon. That’s Eddy, his teddy and when Eddy goes missing Moon Moon can’t sleep, not a wink and not anywhere. Then he remembers, and worries, for he has left Eddy outside, now he needs to be brave and go to the rescue. Can you bravely follow him and get past those night-time shadows?
This is a short, simple and utterly charming story which will resonate with young children everywhere. Not only does Moon Moon need Eddy to help him sleep he needs reassurance that the shadows in the night are just that. The way in which this message is presented to the reader, through clever use of illustration and imagination will be reassuring to young readers and encourage them to be just as brave as Moon Moon.
Bold, fun and a little silly, this colourful debut encapsulates the mission of Bad Book Press, to take misfit ideas and playfully craft them into something special.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
Others
Kobi Yamada, illus. Charles Santoso, pub. Ten Speed Young Readers
On the front cover there is a simple line – ‘A story for all of us’ – and you will see, once you too have shared in this magnificent book, just how truly that resonates. This is a book for any reader. Simply but effectively written, evocatively illustrated it is thoughtful, charming and an important message all wrapped up in one beautiful package.
Two children stand in front of a tall hedge which spreads diagonally down a double-page spread. One is wondering what ‘they’ are thinking, the other is asking who ‘they’ are. We can see a washed-out watercolour image of the globe on the other side of the hedge and we learn that the first speaker was wondering about ‘Them. The other people.’ We can easily interpret that as everyone else, all those we can’t see but we know are out there. This simple but philosophical conversation continues, perfectly pitched for children aged 5 and above to be able to understand, to be able to engage with. On another level it provides adult readers with some important questions to consider and some answers too – but are they answers you agree with. Everything is up for debate and yet feels somehow settled.
Both author and illustrator have worked to make this beautiful book possible, reminding us that it is good to wonder, to be curious and ultimately to help make the world a kinder, safer space. Feel that kindness and safety in the confines of this book and take them into the world with you, empowering yourself and others.
Louise Ellis-Barrett
The Polar Bear Day
Park Jihee, pub. Floris Books
The Polar Bear Day is a delightful and beautiful wordless picturebook about a little boy who opens the door one day to find a polar bear wanting to come in. The comparisons to Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman are obvious but richly deserved. The book exudes gentleness, humour, and charm. The illustrations are captivating; they have such a softness and realness about them. The use of shadow and light are masterful, so much so that it feels like you could stroke the boy’s hair, but juxtaposing this, there is an element to the polar bear which pulls you away from its realness and highlights the possibility, like the Tiger or the Snowman, that it is part of the child’s imagination.
Korean text (Hangul) appears over the white fur in each image of the polar bear. Out of curiosity I did some reverse image searches of some of the text and discovered that they were snippets of articles and papers about a range of environmental concerns such as Earth Day, human threats to wildlife, food security and so on. This environmental message is not overtly obvious within the images, however Jihee did create all of the illustrations directly onto old cardboard boxes and there are elements within them where the original material is clear such as where the chair and the wall appear corrugated.
I found the way the story progresses through the wordless illustrations confusing to begin with, and a younger reader may struggle to grasp what is happening. For example, the first two pages each show two boys reading or playing with toys. As they look and are dressed the same and the two separate images appear to make up one whole illustration I initially thought they were two brothers. However, this is an illustrative device showing the passage of time. One of my favourite illustrations amplifies this as the double page shows three separate images of the polar bear and boy dancing under a series of large desk lamps that create an atmospheric golden lighting effect. It’s one boy and one polar bear doing three different dance moves across the page.
This is a very subtle, gentle charming book that celebrates innocence and friendship and exudes an enchanting and whimsical sense of imagination and playfulness.
Natalie McChrystal Plimmer
Whirby
Molly Harris, illus. Jacob Souva, pub. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Children are naturally inquisitive – they love construction, pressing buttons, making things, just like Whirby, the whizz of a robot in this wonderfully written story about running on empty. We all do it, but it’s not good for us, as Whirby soon finds out.
Like most young children, Whirby is a whirlwind of energy. He enjoys ‘clinking, clanging, beeping, banging – Whirby couldn’t get enough!’ This book illustrates how difficult it is, when you have such an amazing imagination, to switch yourself off. Whirby is supposed to literally switch himself off every night so he can plug himself in to recharge his batteries, just like we need to rest every night, ready for the next day. Whirby forgets to do it!! What is going to be the consequence of this?
After being up all night, Whirby cannot function correctly, in fact ‘His battery was officially out of juice - which meant he was officially wiped out’. His disappointment in himself is immense. The only thing he can do now is follow a good bedtime routine in order to be fully charged for the next day. This book will resonate with many parents, whose children struggle at bedtime, with its endearing way of explaining to them the importance of rest. Jacob Souva has created charming illustrations of Whirby, with all the emotions expressed, just as we would ourselves. The colours are ‘vibrantly muted’ and the gadgets give a sense of the 1950’s when the technical age was developing. The pages are jam packed with detail.
The message is clear – to live life to the fullest, you need a good rest and recharge – and this is told in a colourful and engaging way.
Claire Webb