Catz indulges his love for roleplaying by delving into his detective box, inspired to solve a mystery when Flossy the squirrel reports her missing nutCatz indulges his love for roleplaying by delving into his detective box, inspired to solve a mystery when Flossy the squirrel reports her missing nut. Armed with his magnifying glass, camera and an apple for when he gets hungry, Catz sets off towards the Big Tree in search of clues. Along the way, he meets other friends and finds several discarded items but no big nut no matter how hard he searches. Dejected, he heads off to tell his friends of his lack of success until a serendipitous discovery leads to a heartwarming resolution for all.
Henrichs possesses a magical ability to tap into children’s creativity and imagination, consistently delivering delightful experiences. Through her signature illustrative style, her narratives and ideas resonate alongside authors like Daisy Hirst and Shirley Hughes. Within the pages of this book, numerous subtle clues are cleverly woven into the illustrations, inviting eagle-eyed readers to uncover puzzles and connections with each subsequent reading.
While there are subtle messages here about being kind and supporting others, it is the playful, creative mindset of the child-like animals that holds the appeal. Bright washes of watercolour and pen show character and movement that mirror young children at play, and it is refreshing to see this set in the outdoors. A lovely picture book full of energy and playfulness that will engage and inspire its young readers....more
A delightful and empowering retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood story. At its heart, the book features Gina Kaminski, a confident and resoA delightful and empowering retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood story. At its heart, the book features Gina Kaminski, a confident and resourceful autistic girl who takes the narrative into her own hands. Gina is determined to correct the "big mistakes" in the original story and save the wolf, showcasing her determination and creativity.
The illustrations by Francis Martin are vibrant and engaging, perfectly complementing the innovative use of pictorial emoji language that helps convey Gina's unique perspective. This book is not just a story but a celebration of neurodiversity, empowering every child to be the hero of their own narrative.
A fun, affirming read for children and adults looking for stories that challenge traditional narratives and celebrate individual strengths....more
Illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld and adapted by Mariah Marsden, offers a sweet, visual rendition of Burnett's children's book. With its faithful adherIllustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld and adapted by Mariah Marsden, offers a sweet, visual rendition of Burnett's children's book. With its faithful adherence to the original plot, this graphic novel proves to be a charming addition to the classic tale.
Luechtefeld's artwork is enchanting, drawing readers into the story with her whimsical style and generous use of colour. In the beginning, when Mary is introduced, subdued and gloomy colours reflect her sombre state. However, as she discovers the key to the secret garden, the colours brighten, mirroring her growth and sense of wonder.
Marsden's adaptation maintains the essence of Burnett's narrative, as it follows young Mary's journey from a troubled past to a transformative present. Although Marsden omits certain details such as Mary's colonialist background and her parents' deaths, she explains these choices in a concluding note, emphasizing the intention to address historical contexts responsibly.
Overall, it serves as a fine introduction for young readers to the novel and makes it more accessible to younger readers. Y2+ ...more
This graphic adaptation of Jennifer Holm's acclaimed 2010 novel, takes readers on a journey to Key West during the Great Depression. Set in 1935, the This graphic adaptation of Jennifer Holm's acclaimed 2010 novel, takes readers on a journey to Key West during the Great Depression. Set in 1935, the story follows Turtle, a world-weary girl whose starry-eyed mother believes in Hollywood endings. However, when her mother lands a job as a housekeeper for someone who dislikes children, Turtle is sent to live with her aunt's family in Key West.
In this sun-drenched locale, Turtle discovers her three lively boy cousins and their friends, collectively known as the Diaper Gang, who run a successful babysitting business in town. Despite being denied entry into the gang due to her gender, Turtle spends her days with them, immersing herself in the colourful jargon, cultural nuances, and barefoot escapades that define Key West's locals.
The graphic novel format is well suited to capture the essence of Key West's vibrant atmosphere, skillfully conveying the lively adventures of Turtle and the Diaper Gang. The chapters unfold in a vignette-like fashion, gradually chipping away at Turtle's tough exterior while revealing previously unknown aspects of her family history. A story that captures the spirit of friendship, discovery, and memorable characters. While I preferred the original novel, this adaptation, with its engaging visuals holds its own. UKS2+ ...more
Kate Greenaway's third compilation of poetry saw her bring together some well known nursery rhymes and others less so. Illustrations of rural settingsKate Greenaway's third compilation of poetry saw her bring together some well known nursery rhymes and others less so. Illustrations of rural settings were based on her visits to extended family in Nottinghamshire since Kate spent her life in London. The clothing appealed to Victorians of the time as the actions of the children which seemed innocent and well-mannered (on the whole)....more
Coral Rumble's 'Things that Should be in a poem' is a delightful children's poetry book. With vibrant and playful illustrations by Shih-Yu Lin, the boCoral Rumble's 'Things that Should be in a poem' is a delightful children's poetry book. With vibrant and playful illustrations by Shih-Yu Lin, the book takes readers on a journey through different themes and landscapes, dealing with emotions, play, immigrants and the joy of the outdoors.
Each page is dedicated to a different theme, such as nature, animals, music, and emotions, with playful rhymes and descriptions that spark the reader's imagination. Sometimes poems run over double spreads and enjoy the playfulness of layout and form; a LOT of thought has gone into this from a design perspective.
The illustrations by Shih-Yu Lin are a delight. Sometimes she works with bright colours and playful characters, bordering on Shirley Hughes-esque observations, whilst other times she works in shades of a single colour so as not to detract from the words. Each page is enjoyable, visually, with plenty of details for young readers to discover and explore.
A wonderful introduction to the world of poetry for young readers - I would share it from pre-school all the way to upper primary. It encourages children to think creatively and imaginatively, while also introducing them to poetic devices and techniques in a way that is accessible and engaging....more
Xiao Xin is convinced that he is a Red Fire Warrior, but his family's constant warnings about the dangers of the world make him feel trapped, controllXiao Xin is convinced that he is a Red Fire Warrior, but his family's constant warnings about the dangers of the world make him feel trapped, controlled and isolated. Despite being small in size, Xiao Xin possesses an inner strength that his family fails to see. When he reaches his limit with their overprotective ways and their worries about him falling ill or getting lost, he decides to run away.
Pung and Ng beautifully depict the importance of overcoming fears, both as a child and as an adult, and how the past shapes the future. The illustrations themselves, which feel almost filmic in design, are rich and the limited text allows readers to connect ideas and messages without being told. ...more
As with most of Almond's stories, this is a tale whose liminality crosses between the reader asking what is and is not real and how much belief they hAs with most of Almond's stories, this is a tale whose liminality crosses between the reader asking what is and is not real and how much belief they have within and without in travelling between those spaces. At the centre of the liminal space, standing between sand and sea, myth and reality and school and home is Anne Lumsden who lives with her mum in the northeast of England.
Beset by seizures in her teenage years and mocked by her classmates for her learning difficulties, Annie has always felt like she does not fit in and feels closer to the sea and its denizens than people. Her mother, who is creative and caring and deeply loving, weaves stories around her daughter to make her happy and smile. One day, Annie wishes for a fantastical story of her birth and, asking her mum to make it magical, discovers that her heritage and home might be more mysterious than her mother was initially letting on.
A novella brimming with mystery and waves of questions and sumptuously illustrated by Alemagna, it is a tale that celebrates the fantasies and truths that stories can hold. ...more
A collection that sees the first two sets of short stories brought together from 'All You've Ever Wanted (1953) and More Than You Bargained For (1955)A collection that sees the first two sets of short stories brought together from 'All You've Ever Wanted (1953) and More Than You Bargained For (1955). I loved reading these first two publications from Aiken, the earliest story in this complication was accepted for publication when the author was just 17. Here we are introduced to the fabulous Armitage family for the first time and we see Aiken's fascination with the structure and form of traditional tales that she enjoys playing with. We also see here her fascination for justice and that strong morality too which sings true throughout almost the whole collection. ...more
I absolutely adore Cobb's watercolour and pastel illustrations; there is something warm and comforting about them and I know, as a young child, I woulI absolutely adore Cobb's watercolour and pastel illustrations; there is something warm and comforting about them and I know, as a young child, I would have taken real pleasure pouring over the images. This ability to tap into what it is to be a child and tend to a child's imagination is why Cobb is so successful.
I also would have loved Aunt Amelia herself for in a world populated by humans, it appears that the children's aunt...is a crocodile in a bright pink and white striped dress. She's also clever, kind, generous and wise.
When the children find out that they are spending the day and night with their aunt, they're overjoyed. However, they become a little disheartened when they find out that the day will mostly be filled with chores such as watering the garden, picking fruits, feeding Aunt Amelia's pets and so on. But Aunt Amelia has a way of making these tasks fun and light and memorable. I particularly loved the spread of her feeding her pets: cuteness overload!
It's a sweet little picturebook in which a subtle message around the joy of caring for your immediate natural environment is key (alongside helping out with the housework). It helps that each page is crammed with things to enjoy exploring and sharing with others. ...more
In Ukhova's wordless debut picture book from Russia, nature's whimsies are beautifully depicted. A white child rests on a blanket in a green garden asIn Ukhova's wordless debut picture book from Russia, nature's whimsies are beautifully depicted. A white child rests on a blanket in a green garden as an aeroplane flies across the blue sky. The child becomes fascinated by an ant hill after they notice the ants crawling towards them. In a series of quick events, the child watches as the ants attack a caterpillar. Despite the small-scale violence of the scene, Ukhova's use of a stunning colour palette and restrained approach makes the moment thought-provoking.
The child learns a lesson about the impact of their actions on the environment when they capture a grasshopper, causing it harm. The grasshopper is placed in a jar, revealing its world in all its beauty and danger. The child's journey of discovery teaches a valuable lesson about the natural world....more
I was a little nervous that something would be lost in a sequel to the Cardboard Kingdom: identities had been established and friendships forged so whI was a little nervous that something would be lost in a sequel to the Cardboard Kingdom: identities had been established and friendships forged so where would the team of writers and lone illustrator, Chad Sell go next without a narrative or focus feeling forced? Still keeping with the 'crafting costumes from cardboard' theme, the second book takes place in the week leading up to Halloween and two of our gang are either out of commission through fear, injury or a nasty episode with the local teens. It takes the whole group together to overcome the mysterious monster that is terrorising the neighbourhood but in coming together, they all defeat the monster within too.
Whilst it didn't quite have the fluidity of the original with regards to the plot, and it was a little darker (quite literally with colouring), thematically, I still think this was a fine addition. Sell and company are keen to never have a simple case of good or bad when it comes to character and there is always a sense of redemption and learning throughout that I really enjoy. The diversity of the gang with regards to race, body shape, gender identity and ethnicity is never the focus but is extremely welcome: I adore the Sorceress....more
In what sees a glorious partnership between Blackman and Adeola, this picturebook sees Charlie and Eddie playing in the garden until their father callIn what sees a glorious partnership between Blackman and Adeola, this picturebook sees Charlie and Eddie playing in the garden until their father calls them in with a particular quest: go wake the monster upstairs. Fired up with an imagination that would make Shirley (Come Away From The Water, Shirley) proud, the real environment becomes enveloped in an imaginary one as they climb mountains and traverse oceans until they finally arrive at the monster's lair: there's nothing worse than being sent to wake up a teenager!
So much playfulness here with strong riffs on the Bear Hunt book but none of that detracts from the delightful prose and Dapo's characterisation. Extremely refreshing to meet a character with vitiligo too - which is never mentioned in the story but a few sentences draw attention to the condition on the endpaper. ...more
Sadie lives by the Thames at Greenwich and often daydreams of going off on long sea adventures - so much so that her mother thinks she needs to get awSadie lives by the Thames at Greenwich and often daydreams of going off on long sea adventures - so much so that her mother thinks she needs to get away and find some focus in life. When the threat of going off to spend time with her aunt looms, Sadie goes to hide in a favourite spot of hers, London's Maritime Museum where she falls asleep and the daydreams become lived dreams and she sails away on the Cutty Sark with a historically rich crew in search of treasure.
More of an illustrated narrative poem than a picture book, Sadie has clearly had a lot of time and energy spent on it with regards to production. This is good quality paper and design and care has gone into the presentation too. ...more
I loved the whole concept behind this story. Laxmi is playing with her friends at school, pretending to be animals when one of her friends suggests shI loved the whole concept behind this story. Laxmi is playing with her friends at school, pretending to be animals when one of her friends suggests she could be a cat because she has whiskers above her top lip. Unsure of what to make of this, Laxmi rushes to the school toilets and spots a black fuzz in a mirror. Upset about this, she rushes home and shares her concerns with her parents. Both of wholly supportive, explain how normal it is, how everyone has hair everywhere and then lists wonderful role models who also have/had 'mooches'.
Inspired and informed, Laxmi heads back to school confident in her body and it's infectious - suddenly everyone wants a Mooch like Laxmi even if it means drawing one with a pen - including her teacher. This is an excellent debut and I loved the light humour throughout. It's also worth noting that Laxmi is not slim or thin but chubby and healthy-looking which was welcome.
My only query was that there two white boys in the story seemed oddly distant. Physically they were there and happy, their eyes are completely hidden from the reader, either by hair of opaque glasses. I wondered whether the illustrator was aware of this. ...more
'My grandmother came to visit...I had met her once before. She lived far away. Her hair was very white and very, very long.'
So begins a picturebook th'My grandmother came to visit...I had met her once before. She lived far away. Her hair was very white and very, very long.'
So begins a picturebook the celebrates the freedom to express and the joy that comes with playing to a childlike imagination. Unlike many cuddly and kind grandparents who care for their grandchildren, once the parents have gone, this one invites the child to get down on their hands and knees like her in order to become a jaguar. Hesitant at first of this unusual, mysterious invitation, the grandchild eventually joins in and soon finds himself, alongside his grandmother doing very jaguary things.
Turning into jaguars, they both leave the comfort of home and head out in the garden, the field, into mountains and snowscapes. Throughout the journey, in jaguar-form, the boy learns to be free, to take risks and to live in wonder and surprise. When he goes to school the next day he is forever changed.
On the surface, We Became Jaguars could be read as a simple celebration of make-believe and imagination but look closer and it's much more than that. Reflections and shadows in newcomer White's illustrations reveals a deft exploration of a mirroring between fantasy, play and reality and both words and pictures show us that such adventures invite a child to live a far richer, brighter life.
For me, it is a picturebook that celebrates the freedom of imaginative play and the wildness it invites. I thought it was lovely. ...more
Originally part of the Spooky Surprise series (of which Lily Takes a Walk, The Hairy Toe and Teeny Tiny also are a part of), Kitamura's little pictureOriginally part of the Spooky Surprise series (of which Lily Takes a Walk, The Hairy Toe and Teeny Tiny also are a part of), Kitamura's little picturebook follows Toby as he wakes us in the middle of the night to find that his home has been cast out to sea and he must steer it safely to land. With the aid of his trusty cat (Kitamura definitely loves cats) and his grandparents, Toby learns to navigate choppy, dark dreamscapes and is rewarded with a humorous light, calm landscape which includes a giant octopus contentedly knitting.
The genesis for the story's creation is an interesting one. At the time of its creation, Kitamura was living in west London with friends who had two children (Toby (4) and Lily (1 1/2) whose grandparents also feature in this book. Waterproof acrylic ink was used alongside fountain pen ink for the lines. In an interview with BookforKeeps, Kitamura speaks of the magic of turning the page and how much of the delight for him, as a creator, is building up that joy that comes with finding out what will happen next. ...more
I read this in one sitting with my boys (6 & 8). They asked that I keep going as they found Bumble & Snug to be the best of companions. Bright coloursI read this in one sitting with my boys (6 & 8). They asked that I keep going as they found Bumble & Snug to be the best of companions. Bright colours and a range of spreads find themselves populated with tens of little bugbops (simple-shaped monsters that have been cleverly crafted so that 'anyone' could draw their own) who travel happily around Bugbopolis.
The story is a simple quest in which Bumble & Snug inadvertently take some pirates' treasure and spend it only to find that pirates very much want and need it back. Instead of swashbuckling antics and high swordery, all of the little bugpops work in unison to try and right wrongs and the whole problem is peacefully resolved. Subtle, implicit messages here about listening and working together abound.
My boys particularly adored Bumble who is full of beans and able to change shape at will. Both boys adored the story so much that they spent the following evenings creating and drawing their own bugpops (thanks to a useful how-to guide at the back of the graphic novel). Wonderful work from Bradley and a perfect introduction to graphic novels for the very young and those young at heart. ...more
Based upon very real conversations between Sattouf and an 'unnamed' 11-year-old girl living in Paris, Esther's Notebooks are diary-like in their telliBased upon very real conversations between Sattouf and an 'unnamed' 11-year-old girl living in Paris, Esther's Notebooks are diary-like in their telling with full-page strips following the thoughts and aspirations of a young girl as she moves from primary into secondary school. Throughout, we have insights into friendships, love, family, music, film, hopes and dreams and misconceptions about adulthood - all today with a sense of pathos and humour throughout. They're excellent and honest. ...more
The final instalment in a wordless trilogy that has taken Frazee over six years to write. It is, for the author/illustrator, 'a love story in three paThe final instalment in a wordless trilogy that has taken Frazee over six years to write. It is, for the author/illustrator, 'a love story in three parts' but I think it's bigger than this.
In this concluding picturebook, the farmer, now ready to seek and embrace new experiences with an open heart, decides to attend the circus where the young child and monkey, he cared for in the first two books, are to be found. To his joy, he finds that the child has not quite embraced circus/clown life as he may have expected and, instead, has been inspired to follow in the farmer's footsteps by dressing and playing imaginatively like him too. The clowns are all accepting of this; especially one who seems to be the child's guardian.
Frazee tells us that these stories are about 'staying open-hearted' and I feel as if this is mainly seen through the farmer himself who seems to go through some redemptive transition in which he allows himself to love and trust in the love of others. This is why the end of this trilogy is so beautiful with the farmer finding a new companion and adopting the monkey and child back into his family. A beautiful celebration of love and trust. ...more
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