Category: Picture Books

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Ten

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We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I first read this book three years ago now and it’s stayed with me ever since. Haunting and well crafted, this is a pretty special piece of YA fiction. It brought E.Lockhart to my attention and she is now one of my favourite YA authors. Edgy, gripping and at times shocking, this is one YA title that’s too good to miss.

We are the Liars. We are beautiful, privileged and live a life of carefree luxury. We are cracked and broken. It is a story of love and romance. It is a tale of tragedy. Which are lies? Which is truth?

This book actually made me gasp at the end, I just didn’t see it coming. Thoroughly recommended.

We Were Liars was published in 2014 by Hot Key Books

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Nine

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Day Nine

A Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

IMG_20171220_001112Bear is having his first ever Christmas party.

He tells Mouse that there will be no presents. They will sit and eat pickles and maybe Bear will read a long difficult poem.

Surely that will do?

But Mouse thinks Bear is hiding something…

And he’s determined to find out where!

This lovely Christmas tale has a wonderfully nostalgic feel to it. Just beautiful.

A Christmas for Bear was published in November 2017 by Walker Books.

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Eight

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The Magical Ice Palace by Suzanne Smith & Lindsay Taylor

Illustrated by Marnie Maurri

Now this is a wonderful picture book for those who live adventures, wintery fun and doodling.

img_20171219_2324501244307660.jpgDoodle Girl and her friends are having a wonderful ride aboard a Magical snowflake when…

TRUMPETY TOOT!

… they discover a Mammoth Prince wobbling and wobbling on top of a mountain!

Luckily, Doodle Girl is ready with her Magic pencil to help, but can they get to the ICE PALACE in time for the Mammoth’s royal part?

And once you’ve enjoyed the bright, colourful and fun illustrations there is a fabulous poster sized colouring sheet full of wonderful doodles to colour in.IMG_20171219_232307

The Magical Ice Palace was published in October 2017 by Simon and Schuster

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Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Seven

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Day Seven

I’m going back to a picture book for this one and it’s absolutely stunning. It’s by Kate DiCamillo, author of titles such as Ramie Nightingale and Flora & Ulysses and illustrator, Jaime Kim

La La La: A Story of Hope by Kate DiCamillo and Jaime Kim.

La La La

“La La La…La”

A little girl stands alone and sings,

but there’s no response.

So, gathering her courage and her curiosity,

She skips out into the world,

calling to the trees,and the pond and the reeds..

But will anyone sing back to her?

This is a book where the pictures literally tell the story. A story about loneliness and finding the courage to find your voice, step out into the world and connect with it. It’s a beautiful, gentle story with the most sublime illustrations that add warmth and tenderness. This is a book to share with your little ones, a book to talk about and look for the meaning in. “What is she doing? What is she feeling? How has she overcome that?”

La La La: A Story of Hope by Kate DiCamillo and Jaime Kim was published in October 2017 by Walker Books.

Just wonderful and to finish a few words from Lovereading4kids expert reviewer, Andrea Reece:

There’s no need for extra words to tell this story, children will understand exactly the girl’s need to be heard, seen and answered; impeccably told, it’s a story that speak to us all. ~ Andrea Reece, Lovereading4kids

Christmas 2017 – Book Advent – Day Three

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Day Three

Magnificent Birds illustrated by Narisa Togo

Walker Studios is an imprint of Walker Books. They produce the most stunning books that will mark the perfect gift for book lovers. The quality and finish is beautiful and perfectly compliment the talent of the illustrators and authors whose work is captured within. These are books that are a joy to pick up and read.

Magnificent Birds is filled with the most amazing illustrations from Tokyo born Marisa Togo whose lino-cut prints capture the beauty and magnificence of these incredible birds. Perfect for both art and bird lovers alike. Young and old.

IMG_20171203_185056From the bird-of-paradise that performs it’s extravagant courtship dance, to the godwit that makes the longest flight without stopping, discover incredible birds from all over the world. Explore the long-living, the rare and the spectacular, and celebrate the truly magnificent birds of our planet in this gloriously illustrated gift edition.

 

Magnificent Birds was published on the 2nd of November by Walker Studio.

Discover more about Narisa Togo here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.

Christmas 2017 – Book advent – Day Two

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Day two and it’s the rather wonderful…

Penguin Problems by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith

Poor Penguin is having a bad day. The sea is too salty, his beak is cold, he looks silly when he waddles and he wishes he could fly. But when he starts to look at things from a different point of view he soon realises things aren’t so bad after all.

Super illustrations by Lane Smith (author and illustrator of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner There is a Tribe of Kids) accompany the thought provoking text by Jory John and capture the problems we all go through from time to time.

Penguin Problems was published on the 1st of November by Walker Books.

Discover more about Jory John here.

Discover more about Lane Smith here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.

Christmas Advent – Books, Books, Books

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December is finally with us again and with it advent begins. I always feel slightly nostalgic at this time of year. I remember the advent calenders I used to have as a child, festive pictures of Father Christmas and Christmas trees covered in glitter. Behind each door would be a small picture: maybe a star, maybe a beautifully wrapped pile of presents, a sprig of holly or even a Christmas pudding. I loved those calenders. They didn’t contain chocolate in those days but they were still exciting and magical. Well this year I thought I’d make my own virtual calender to share with you and this one will of course contain books!

Day one brings us a little something to get us in the Christmas spirit!

Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares

This beautiful picture book brings us the story of Red and Lulu, happy together in their tree until one day they are unexpectedly separated. We follow Red on his quest to find Lulu. Tired and hungry he begins to wonder if he’ll ever find Lulu again. Then he hears a familiar tune. Will it lead him back to Lulu and home? With stunning illustrations, this gentle story will be wonderful to share over the festive season and beyond.

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Red & Blue was published on the 5th of October by Walker Books.

Discover more about author and illustrator Matt Tavares here.

Discover more about Walker Books here.