Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau

I once found a book,
and was instantly hooked.

Iggy Peck was his name,

and architecture his game.

Then Rosie came too,

and oh how she flew!

I was told of Chapeau,

(David used to make hats - did you know?!)

Circling the pub date,

I just couldn't wait!

Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau, is a perfect book. 

Every year on her birthday, lonely milliner Madame Chapeau visits the most elegant restaurant in town, Chez Snooty-Patoot. On her way there she trips and a bird snatches her favourite hat! She's offered one to wear by a baker, a policeman and a cowboy but she knows that none are quite right. A gorgeous story about friendship and love that has the perfect fit at the end. 

Combining clever and witty rhyming text with the most beautiful illustrations, completely destined to make a very special picture book. Andrea Beaty's thoughtful prose rolls off the tongue (unlike my verse above!) as you follow Madame Chapeau's story.

David Roberts (yes I am a MEGA fan) considers every detail possible, I notice something new and interesting in his illustrations every time I visit his books - this one is no exception. Roberts was a milliner and talking to him earlier this year, he had so much fun creating something with two of his loves; hats and illustration, and this definitely shows in the book.

I am certainly no fashion fanatic but my mother used to take me to VV Rouleaux in Marylebone on my birthday every year to choose some new ribbons, I know it's a bit old fashioned but I loved it (and I still have most of them tucked away in a box!)

This books is utterly delightful and a perfect gift for any story lover.

Published by Abrams and is £10.99 in hardback. 

Nearly two years later...

So after nearly two years of not blogging at all, I've decided to take it up again!

I'll be regularly posting about children's books (mostly!) whether they are new, old, soon-to-be published or out of print. 

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