Book Review :: Raymond by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec

Raymond - by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec

"This is the story of Raymond – an ordinary dog who, for a while, lives an extraordinary life."

Most fun book!  The illustrations are 👌👌.  The cover is 😍.  I flippin' love it!

At first I incorrectly assumed the kids weren't as into it as me.  From our box of delicious Walker books they each had an instant fave, and the others weren't getting as much read-time.  However, when I sat down to read it with them, they both warned me it was funny.  "He just really had to get that ball," Eleanor said.  I thought the humour would kinda go over their heads and some of it definitely did, but overall it was a fun read for everyone.  Yuss!

Raymond is the work of a brotherly team, hailing from France.  Gwendal's illustrations have graced the pages of The New Yorker, and I'm picking that this book will be displayed on many a pretty NY bookshelf (helloooo, Pinterest).  The book's message is very apt, and I loved the turn it took.  Raymond, so taking your message to heart.

Raymond is due for release on May 1st, so keep your eyes peeled.  Meanwhile I'm trying to work out how I can build one of those little floating shelves so I can display this pretty cover!  I'm not much of a handyman, so it could go either way 😕  but I'm also a huge procrastinator, so my walls are probably safe...

Review copy kindly sent to us by Walker Books Aus

Book Review :: Rock Pool Secrets by Narelle Oliver

Rock Pool Secrets - Narelle Oliver

"At first glance there’s nothing much to see. But the rock pools are full of secrets. Nestling in crevices ... hiding in the seaweed ... camouflaged against the rocks ... What creatures will you find? Rock Pool Secrets features beautiful linocut artwork by award-winning author/illustrator Narelle Oliver and includes big, easy-to-use flaps and a glossary of rock pool creatures."

Visiting rock pools is one of our favourite pass-times, making this book a winner for our little guys.  I'm always a fan of educational books.  They make my job easier, and homeschooling that much more fun.  This one makes a perfect addition to our homeschool kindergarten --> Where Garland is at (he was an absolute fan of Rock Pool Secrets from the get-go).  And while Garland may be the perfect target audience, I learnt a thing or two myself.  Next time we go rock pool hunting we'll have added purpose to our observations.  I particularly appreciated the picture index at the back.  Always a bonus!

Rock Pool Secrets is a lift-the-flap book, appropriate considering (as the name suggests), you need to keep your eyes peeled when spotting real-life rock pool creatures.  The camouflage style illustrations provide a challenge (albeit slight) for younger readers spotting critters.  Honestly, ours found it easy, but fun, regardless.  I'm looking forward to reading it to Wilco when he's bigger, our kids always loved these 'find-me-a...' type books when they were around 2-3 years.

We've spotted most of these creatures in our rock pool hunts, but still keeping an eye out for an octopus or sea slug.

Rock Pool Secrets is out in hardback on April 1st, so keep an eye out!

Many thanks to Walker Books for this review copy.

Book Review :: Penguin by Polly Dunbar

Penguin - 10th Anniversary edition - Written and illustrated by Polly Dunbar

"A penguin turns out to be the perfect present in this beautiful 10th anniversary edition of an award-winning classic."

Why have I never come across this little cutie before?? It's adorbs!  I immediately recognised Dunbar's illustrations of course (we have Down the Back of the Chair).  She's a multi award-winning talent!  🙌

As you can see, Ben and Penguin are adorable book characters, perfectly epitomising that intense relationship between toddlers and their favourites, be it friend or pet or toy.  Nothing cuter than this type of fierce love.  Dunbar does such a cute job of expressing it too!  The twist at the end is 👌.  The pages in Penguin aren't over-crowded with words and imagery, making this a perfect read for the little ones.  Having said that, Eleanor (at 7) still enjoyed this, and thought it was pretty funny!

Penguin -10th Anniversary edition is available now (if you don't have it on your bookshelf already).

Review copy kindly provided by Walker Books Aus

Book Review :: Nanette's Baguette

Nanette's Baguette - Mo Willems

"Today is the day Nanette gets to get the baguette! Is she set? YOU BET!"

Nanette's Baguette is fun!  If you love trying out a bad French accent in the safety of your own home, with an audience whose ears are too untrained to tell the difference, then this is the book you've been waiting for!  Seriously though, I was a little dubious at first, having never encountered Mo Willems *hides face*, but I'm so on board now!  Nanette's Baguette is just the right mix of funny and silly and very rhyme-y.

Okay, here's the trickier bit for me.  As you know by now, I'm all about the illustrations (aren't we all, though?).  I was like "yes!" as soon as I saw the cover.  Love the kitsch diner vibe!  I do like the style of his drawings, and Nanette's expressions are perfect.  Furthermore, the paper village is spot on, and I love the comic book stylings.  Buuuut.  I really didn't love the layout.  It's a small thing, but it matters.  The shadow boxes in particular gets a 'no' from me.  I would've been so happy with a white background and comic style frames...

Not gonna let it stop me from loving this book though!  Perhaps I'm totally behind the curve (wouldn't come as a massive surprise), and shadow boxes are back in, along with a bunch of other 90's trends that I'm still not ready for...

Okay moving on, here's a v. cool behind-the-scenes timelapse of the making of, that made me want to DIY a paper village asap.  So.  Cool.

Are you a Mo Willems fan?  Which of his books do you recommend we try next?

Nanette's Baguette is out in paperback now so go check it!

Review kindly supplied by Walker Books

Book Review :: Boo! by Ben Newman

Boo! - Ben Newman

"All the animals are keen to show off their bravery – from the crocodile with his mighty jaws, to the tiger with her scary claws! But who will be the bravest of them all?"

Flying Eye Books is such a pretty imprint.  Another beautiful matte cover, quirky cool illustrations and cute story.  There's a bit of a retro, timeless feel to Flying Eye books which we are lurving!  Boo! massively tickled Garland's fancy.  He thought it was hilaire.  He's five, mind you, which means that Newman has nailed the comedy-for-small-children bracket.  For my part, I loved the bold, stylised illustrations.  Very cool.  The text is minimal so that's another points win, for those preferring the shorter length bedtime tomes.  I can go either way on that one, but it's always best to have a few short-and-sweets' on the shelves, particularly if one child has requested a Magic Schoolbus book, amiright?!

Here's the very cute book trailer if you want to take a sneak peek!

Overall, we adore this book!  It's been strictly on the favourites list since arrival, and it's available now in bookstores, so check it out!

Review copy kindly provided by Walker Books

Book Review :: The Land of Nod

The Land of Nod - Robert Louis Stevenson & Robert Hunter

"Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic children’s poem about dreamland, as narrated by a convalescing young boy, is given new life in this wonderfully illustrated book. Accompanied by Robert Hunter’s bold and beautiful illustrations, this picture book will bring the beloved Scottish author’s work to a whole new generation of young readers."

If you haven't come across this pretty book, you're in for a treat.  If you consider children's books a treat, that is... I do... The illustrations are soooooo lovely!  The Land of Nod is printed on matte pages, with a simple colour palette that is spot on.  Largely blues and pinks, with a smattering of other soft hues.  Very dreamy indeed.  The discerning toddler will love spotting familiar items in the dream scenes, lifted from earlier pages in the book.

The text is short, but a great way to introduce/include a little poetry in your daily routine.  Slow reading is good for this one, further emphasising that dreamy tone (and hopefully priming the scene nicely for sleep).  You'll want to spend a little time on each illustration anyway, so #perfect.

The Land of Nod is available now, RRP $27.99, so keep an eye out in for it.

Review copy kindly provided by Walker Books Aus

Book Review :: Hooray for Birds! - Lucy Cousins

Hooray for Birds! - Lucy Cousins

"In an exuberant display of color, Lucy Cousins invites little ones to imagine themselves as brilliant birds."

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling - Timothy Basil Ering

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling - Timothy Basil Ering  

"A duckling lost at sea discovers his musical talent in this enchanting, heart-warming story from Timothy Basil Ering."

Book Review :: Dog on a Digger by Kate Prendergast

Dog on a Digger - By Kate Prendergast

"Dog is helping his master on the building site when his tiny dog friend goes missing. Plucky Dog takes charge and cleverly brings the digger to the rescue."

And our ongoing love for text-less picture books is rewarded with another gem.  Just look at the illustrations!  Just loooooook!  So pretty....

Book Review :: Penguin Problems - Jory John and Lane Smith

Penguin Problems - Written by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith

"Little Penguin has problems: his beak is cold; there s snow everywhere; the water smells salty; he waddles; he looks the same as everybody else. No it s not easy being a Penguin!"

Clever and cute, Penguin Problems is also super relevant.  It's the children's book equivalent to #firstworldproblems, with little penguin guy complaining about literally everything.  He's the modern day equivalent of Eeyore, but somebody is about to set him straight!  Because Penguin Dude, life is so good!

Book Review :: The Hamster Book by Silvia Borando

The Hamster Book - Silvia Borando

"If you have always wanted a pet, but your parents have never let you ... this is the book for you. Because, inside the pages of this book, your new hamster awaits. Isn’t she cute?" 

What an adorable little book this is!  I think interactive books are so much fun (Help, The Wolf is Coming is another fave), and The Hampster Book is especially cute.

Book Review :: Pandora by Victoria Turnbull

Pandora - Written and illustrated by Victoria Turnbull

"A great picture story book with an environmental message.  This is a stunning fable of hope and regeneration from critically acclaimed artist Victoria Turnbull."

Pandora is a beautiful, sad and ultimately hopeful story.  The title character lives alone, surrounded by broken things with which she builds her little life.  When an injured bird appears, Pandora finally has a friend, and a purpose.  Eventually the bird leaves, but the gifts of seeds and hope left behind, transform Pandora's grey world into one that is beautiful.

Book Review :: Angel Star

Angel Star - by Chris Sanders and illustrated by Kat Merewether

"Angel Star written by Chris Sanders symbolises a new era of Children’s storybook writing using adult contemporary music inter-twined with simple beautiful lyrics that will resonate in the heart of every child.Modern day nursery rhymes that all the family will enjoy singing and reading today and for generations to come."

Book Review :: An Artist's Alphabet by Norman Messenger

An Artist's Alphabet - by Norman Messenger

"A surreal and gorgeous alphabet book from exceptional artist Norman Messenger."

If you're looking for a book that's a little out of the ordinary, I've totally found it for you.  An Artist's Alphabet is perrrrfect for fans of the surreal, and anyone looking for an un-cutesy alphabet book. The unconventional subject matter is refreshing, no 'B is for Ball' here, peeps!  This is definitely the type of book kids will sit and pore over in front of the fire, with so many exquisite details and unexpected letter pairings.  

Book Review :: My Dad Used to Be so Cool by Keith Negley

My Dad Used to Be so Cool - Keith Negley

"Did your dad used to be cool? Wondering what happened to his rock band playing, skateboarding days?"

First and foremost, I LOVE the illustrations for this book!  I'd have any of them as wall prints in my house.  The repeat pattern guitars are 👌.  It's a beautiful book no doubt about it, with thick, matte pages boasting these bold, retro illustrations.   I'm a big fan of the muted primaries colour scheme, and intend to steal it for an upcoming kiddo birthday party, yuss!

Book Review :: A Child of Books - Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

A Child of Books - by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston

"An inspiring and lyrical picture book about a little girl who sails her raft 'across a sea of words' to arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her on an adventure where they can journey through 'forests of fairy tales', 'across mountains of make-believe' and 'sleep in clouds of song'. Guided by his new friend, the boy unlocks his imagination and a lifetime of magic lies ahead of him... But who will be next?"

Book Review :: Neffy and the Feathered Dinosaurs - Joe Lillington

Neffy and the Feathered Dinosaurs - Joe Lillington 

"It was a very special day for Neffy the Microraptor - she would be taking her first flight.

But when Neffy spread her wings she didn't know what she was supposed to do! Will she learn in time to join her sisters and escape the predators on the ground?"

This is the ideal book for fact-collecting kiddos (age 4+), with a sweet little story that makes for perfect bedtime reading. 

'Return' - Aaron Becker

'Return' - Aaron Becker

Stories without texts are automatic favourites in our house.  We love words, too, of course. In fact, we have to send Eleanor to bed with a notebook and pencil, so that she can save words to look up in the morning (parentals currently performing dictionary duty, but guess what she's getting for her birthday).

'Goodnight Everyone' - Chris Haughton

'Goodnight Everyone' - Chris Haughton

Big Bear and the other animals are sleepy and ready for bed, but Little Bear isn't tired yet.  Basically. A simple premise and a very cute little book.  The kind you would read in a really nice slow voice to make everyone feel suitably sleepy.

'Shapes at Play' and 'Shapes, Reshape!' - Sylvia Borando

'Shapes at Play' and 'Shapes, Reshape!' by Sylvia Borando