I received this a while back for a review, but found with everything that was going on it was just to much for me at that time.
The Laugh is a bright and lively book about loss and grief and about ways to remember someone you’ve lost.
It shows the process of loss extremely well, from the mother looking ill to using the word ‘died’ when the mother died. This is extremely important as children sometimes just don’t get the euphemisms that adults use around the subject of death.
The use of the sunflower as a motif throughout the book emphasises the warmth that the mother expressed along with the deadheading once the flower had died to symbolise the loss of the mother.
This deals with death in a very honest and straightforward way and explains that though there will be gaps there, there will be emptiness that the love and brightness that the other person inpired in you is still there waiting to blossom when the time is right.
A brilliant book and one I want on our shelves to recommend when required.
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Kate has kindly let me have a sneak read of “We Are Here” due to be published by Dune Books on the 19th of May 2023.
A mother plays games to make her child feel safe as they flee from their home to what the mother hopes is a safer place for them, each step of the journey shows a different ‘game’ but if you look closer there is danger for them both ever present on each leg. It shows the length a mother will go to to protect their child, both from what happened at home and what is happening on this arduous journey.
Beautifully and sympathetically illustrated throughout. Each illustration uses a palette to reflect the story being told in the frame, but none of the palettes used are garish, they are soft and even the cold blues have a warm feeling to them. I think this all shows. the love the mother has for their child, at least this is what it made me feel.
Another important text to help children explore what it is like to be the other and to have to flee, how this decision isn’t taken lightly and how families support each other in their travel, that though this could be seen as an adventure it is not, it is a decision to live.
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Owen Davey. Rocket Bird Books. (32p) ISBN 9781915395009
Can I Come Too
As soon as I saw the cover for this book I really wanted to have a proper look at it, I was lucky to be sent a copy for review.
I received the hard back version and there is a sculptural quality to the cover that fits with the block shape style of illustration, really lovely to feel.
The story is one of sibling bears where the youngest bear wants to tag along with the older sibling, and through the enthusiasm, rather than malice, of the younger one things keep going wrong and the older bear keeps getting frustrated and angry.
The story explores these feelings well and has a lovely resolution for the siblings.
I’m still not quite sure whether the art work reminds me of 50s or 60s design aesthetics, leaning toward the 50s, but the palette is a lovely set of warm browns, fresh greens, and cool blues and make the book gorgeous to look at whilst following the story.
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The latest in the “A Very Fiery Fairy Tale” series from Beach and I always feel so privileged when I get sent a copy to read and talk about, especially such fun books.
This continues the adventures of Sir Wayne and Dragon, brave and fearless and full of parp!
This sees Sir Wayne and Dragon going to the rescue of a princess in a tower, Sir Wayne with his sword of Dragon with his bottom of flame and they both think they are the perfect hero and will be. the one to rescue the princess.
Who will be right, who will do the rescuing, why has the monster three eyes, all these questions will be answered in this fun and colourful addition to the series.
Beach’s illustrations once again really bring the story to life with lots to explore on the page and the pace perfectly set between words and images.
Another book I’ll be using for storytimes at the shop as who doesn’t like blazing bottoms?
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Farhana Islam, illus. Nabila Adani. Puffin. (32p) ISBN 9780241552476
Not Now, Noor!
A fun story about an extremely curious young girl and her family and how persistent she can be to get an answer to her questions.
I was sent this after seeing it available for a review copy and was really pleased, loved the bright and fresh illustrations by Nabila Adani which match the book perfectly and give it such an active and bright feel.
Noor is extremely curious about the hijabi in her life and wants to know why they wear a hijab? She has lots of theories why and tells them to the people she is asking the question of, but they all tell her ‘Not Now Noor!’, though they never deny her theories 😉
She talks to all the women in her immediate family until she gets to her mum who answers her question.
Beautifully paced and a great story for young ones to find out about themselves or others.
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Phellip Willian, illus. Melissa Garabeli, trans. Fabio Ramos. Oni Press. (120p) ISBN 9781637152072
Missing You
I picked this up at the same time as Tiny Fox and Great Boar without realising what either were about I was just drawn in by the wonderful art on the covers.
I also didn’t realise at the time that both were from Oni Press.
Reading a second book about family, loss, grief, and growth in as many days may have been a bit too much, but these were so well presented and thought out that it really wasn’t.
Missing You is about a young family who have lost their mother/wife and in the case of grandma, daughter.
As the young family are driving through a forest they come across an injured fawn which they take home and into their hearts to fill that gap.
Lion (the fawn) also grows and has their own thoughts and desires which don’t always mesh with those of the family and it is this tension which comes to a head that drives the conclusion of the story.
The art work throughout uses a soft, almost pastel palette for most of the book, except there are some dark and threatening passages that are enhanced by the appropriate palette.
Sweet, humorous, and supportive. Well written and drawn and suitable for a larger age range than to 8-12 suggested.
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Berenika Kolomycka. Oni Press. (64p) ISBN 9781637152058
Tiny Fox and Great Boar: Dawn
My head has been in the bin recently and again I’ve been unable to read so thought let’s read an illustrated book and I like the cover art for this one so went here first.
I wasn’t disappointed as the art work throughout the book is stunningly beautiful and kept track with the tone of the book throughout, getting darker or lighter as needed.
The story is about two friends, tiny fox and great boar, continuing to explore the world and generally having a great time of it all, frolicking through forests and plains until they come upon a marsh.
In it they make a new friend with the nymph form of a mayfly who is looking forward to becoming a mayfly, but fox and boar don’t fully understand the lifecycle of a mayfly.
This book explores the meaning of death, loss, grief, and growth in a straightforward yet beautiful manner.
It shows that life is different for all of us and we should celebrate each others lives whilst realising we will miss them and that though we may be left behind the memories of others will always be there.
Warm and uplifting whilst also being truthful about death.
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Everyone at the shop had commented on how good this book looked and I was so glad to get a copy of it from NetGalley to review.
An expedition to Antarctica where there are different expectations from some of the expedition members, most are there to study the ‘fabulous, cute, glorious, penguins’, but our protagonist is adamant that they will see a MAMMOTH!
Bright and fun throughout, we follow the main character as they keep seeing a Mammoth involved in various outlandish activities and runs back to the rest of the expedition to tell them but they keep not believing and it is a case of ‘crying wolf’ until of course they encounter the Mammoth themselves.
The Mammoth twist is really fun as well.
Oh, the penguins are anything but fabulous, cute, and glorious. It is great fun looking at all the penguins to check out their expressions and what they’re getting up to.
Such a great wintery book, perfect for a Christmas present.
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Fiona is positively potty about picturebooks; reading them, writing them and talking about them. When writing, she longs for alliterative loveliness. When reading, she looks for the marriage of words and artwork and she loves anything that is fun to read aloud.
Fiona is especially enthusiastic about encouraging reading habits. In her 40s she studied for a PhD where she was lucky enough to study the theory behind the onset and maintenance of behaviour. This is so applicable to reading and it is lovely now to be able to combine her academic and professional enthusiasms.
She loves the outdoors and support several organisations that seek to encourage children to engage with the natural world including The Wildlife Trusts and the Marine Conservation Society. She spend a lot of time in Devon and loves the sea.
Tell me what inspired you to write these two seasonal books?
The BIG Christmas Bake was inspired by wanting to big up twelfth night. When I was growing up my mum wanted us to save all our presents until then because the Christmas story says that’s when the three kings arrived with their gifts. But we never wanted to wait! Our concession was to save one present to open after all the decorations were put away on 6th January. I still do this now I have my own family and it’s actually the present I look forward to the most even though it’s usually something quite small. I think we are bombarded by Christmas and advent from the first of December (if not before!) and it’s easy to forget about the original twelve days of Christmas. Twelve days seemed to fit perfectly with a twelve spread picture book and the idea was born. Pippa Curnick has added so much more joy and humour through the illustrations too.
I Definitely Don’t Like Winter was inspired by a newspaper article about an academic paper showing that people who dread winter have a worse experience than people who look forward to it. My Dad hates winter and I love it but I don’t want him to be sad. He is Hank to my Hoog in the story which is why the book is dedicated to him. I just love how Christine Pym has brought these two little characters to life.
The BIG Christmas Bake
I Definitely Don’t Like Winter
How hard was it to get your first book published?
My first book was self-published after many many rejections. So many rejections! Then I was lucky enough to get picked up by a small publisher who published my next two books (with more to follow!). By that time I had an agent and she was able to get my work seen by bigger publishers like Scholastic and Quarto. As I absolutely love Christmas and Christmas books, I feel incredibly lucky to have two out at once!
How long did it take to write?
With picture books there is usually a lot of thinking time before I put pen to paper and then even more time afterwards editing. I have a fantastic critique group who are wonderful at giving feedback and helping me refine ideas. Although the first draft can be done pretty quickly, we picture book writers tend to spend ages afterwards obsessing over single words. When you have less than 500 to play with, every word counts!
How many publishers turned you down?
I have definitely been turned down, multiple times, by every major publisher and lots of smaller ones. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
I know everyone says you shouldn’t read them but I’ve had some wonderful early reviews on Goodreads. I really want everyone to love these books.
What can you tell us about your next book?
My next book is a follow up to my previous one, Setsuko and the Song of the Sea (Tiny Tree CHildren’s Books, illustrated by Howard Gray). I think I’m allowed to say it’s called A Swift Return.
Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
I have written a teen romance and while I loved writing it, apparently nobody loved reading it so I’m sticking to picture books!
What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?
Alongside writing, I work part time as a healthcare scientist. I work with people who are dizzy.
Which author(s) inspire you?
I’m inspired by so many of the fantastic picture book writers and illustrators working today. There is so much variety in this genre. I love lyrical texts but also funny, silly books, rhyming and prose. And the variety of illustration styles is breathtaking.
What will always distract you?
I am hideously distracted by social media, especially twitter. You can see what I’m being distracted by if you follow me @Fi_BGB.
What were your favourite childhood books?
I remember with great fondness the Church Mice books by Graham Oakley, both for the humour in the text and the glorious detail in the illustrations. I still have them all. My other favourites were Whistle For Willy by Jack Ezra Keats and a rather more obscure but lyrical story called Starsound by Yevgenia Margolis. Very 1970s.
Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?
So many! Particular favourites are Fourbears Books (Caversham), The Alligators Mouth (Richmond) and I really wish I lived closer to Bookbugs and Dragon Tales (Norwich) which is a phenomenal bookshop really embedded in its community.
What books can you not resist buying?
I buy A LOT of picture books.
What is your current or latest read?
I’m currently enjoying Wolves In Helicopters by Sarah Tagholm and Paddy Donnelly and The Blue Footed Booby by Rob Biddulph.
What inspired you to write the genre you do?
I’m incredibly privileged to be writing picture books and sharing them with parents and children. Picture books really are for life, not just for childhood. They plant a seed that lasts a lifetime. They’re an affordable way to own spectacular innovative artwork and they’re also unique in that they are books that are meant to be shared. That’s very special.
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Tanya Rosie, illustrated Chuck Groenink. Walker Books. (32p) ISBN 9781406389807
Mum Me and the Mulberry Tree
I received this from Walker Books recently after seeing it on Twitter a few times and falling in love with the cover illustration.
Got a chance to savour it this afternoon!
A beautiful little story about a young girl and mother who take an annual trip to ‘their’ tree, through a town on a bus and a bit of a walk.
There is a simple rhyming structure throughout which gives a pleasant pace to the story, the pace matching the journey and the shared experience.
The illustrations by Chuck Groenink beautifully match the story, feeling very late summer / autumnal and give the whole a very traditional feel to it.
A wonderfully sweet and warming story, felt like a hug throughout, and scanned really well when I read it out loud.
If you want to help and support this blog and my other projects (Indie Publishers and Indie Bookshops) you could become a Patreon which would help pay for my hosting, domain names, streaming services, and the occasional bag of popcorn to eat while watching films.
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