Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Santa’s Journey/ Twelve Days of Kindness
This simple rhyming story follows Father Christmas as he makes his way across the skies to deliver his gifts on Christmas Eve. Each verse is accompanied by a lovely layered pop-up scene to enjoy and discuss.
The thick card pages are durable and offer protection to the more fragile scenes which pop-up from the page as the book is opened, giving depth to each picture and each of the five scenes is richly coloured.
Perfect for sharing and enjoying as a family, older children may well be tempted to have a go at creating their own pop-up scene or a card inspired by these pictures. Sure to become a festive favourite!
Santa’s Journey
Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Wazza Pink
Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838916534
Brightly coloured illustrations show a family spreading festive cheer as they perform twelve simple acts of kindness in the days before Christmas. Each spread has a simple sentence stating what they did on that day, with the picture setting the scene. It clearly shows how little things we can do for others can mean so much - and without the need for spending lots of money. This is all about spending time with others, helping out, being together and showing appreciation for the things which others do for us. Even the cat gets a treat!
A lovely treat to curl up and share!
Twelve Days of Kindness
Sophie Beer
Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838916800
I Turtley Love You/Don’t Ever Smile at a Shark
Today, I’m reviewing two delightful books from Little Tiger which take little readers under the sea, both written by Harriet Evans, but illustrated by Bryony Clarkson (Turtle) and Michael Slack (Shark).
‘I Turtley Love You’ is a beautifully produced board book. Sturdy board pages and colourful illustrations are enhanced by both cut outs and raised sections, offering plenty of tactile interest for little fingers to enjoy. The gentle rhyming text focuses on the love between adult and child as different sea creatures are introduced.
As well as emphasising a feeling of love and being special, the illustrations and text could lead to conversations about these sea creatures and finding out more about them. Little ones who have seen ‘Finding Nemo’, for example, may make the connection between Marlin and Nemo and the clownfish in the story. The interactive element of the cut outs allows them to play peek-a-boo with the young clown fish by flipping the page back and forth. There are also plenty of details to spot, like the heart shapes made by the crabs claws. It is a delightful little book with much to recommend it!
I Turtley Love You: A sea-riously cute Book of love!
Harriet Evans, illustrated by Bryony Clarkson
Little Tiger ISBN: 9781838915681
Also under the sea, ‘Don’t Ever Smile at a Shark’ is a wonderfully interactive read! Clever paper engineering means the pop-ups move in different ways as an array of sea creatures leap off the page.
The rhyming text is fun to read aloud with plenty of opportunities for little ones to join in with the story, making noises and perhaps actions to suit. As with the previous story, this one might lead to further investigation about the creatures pictured here. Children are sure to enjoy manipulating the book to make the pages move - and older children (and some adults!) are sure to want to investigate how the movement is created. Sure to become a firm favourite!
Don’t Ever Smile at a Shark
Harriet Evans, illustrated by Michael Slack
Little Tiger ISBN: 978-1838915292
Kind Crocodile
When Crocodile leaves his pond, he finds himself called on for help by a series of animals fleeing danger. First comes a mouse, then a warthog, next an antelope and finally, a rhino. As each takes refuge on his back, Crocodile becomes overwhelmed and decides to teach them a lesson!
Simple text and gorgeous illustrations combine perfectly to convey this gently humorous tale about Kind Crocodile whose patience is tested to the limit. Each creature he saves rides proudly on his back, confident that the combination of crocodile’s sharp teeth and his fearsome ‘Grrrrr!’ will be enough to ward off danger. But none of them notice that Crocodile is flagging under their weight and when Rhino comes along, poor Crocodile is left flattened and speechless. Banding together, they see off the danger, boasting about their bravery and teamwork…until Crocodile decides enough is enough and gives them a good scare before they all make they way off together once more. The illustrations are just delightful and the text is both simple and satisfying enough to have little ones joining in!
The story offers plenty to chat about as children can empathise with how the characters are feeling- and how they make Crocodile feel. Children are sure to be tempted to draw Crocodile and his friends as well - and perhaps create stories about the adventures which they set off to share together! This is sure to become a firm favourite!
I would have loved to have been able to hear Leo Timmers speak at Oxford Literary Festival tomorrow as I love his artwork, but sadly, this is not possible! Perhaps next year…
Kind Crocodile Leo Timmers
Gecko Press ISBN: 978-1776574704
You can read my review of ‘Elephant Island’ here.
