Before After

Firstly, format wise this book offers something different - it’s a large hardback fiction size but purely illustrated, not a single word graces the pages.

I really love the way that this book says so much with pictures, and pictures alone. Each page depicts a before and after scenario - an acorn and an oak tree, an inkwell and quill opposite a typewriter, a pumpkin and a carriage. Some are fairly obvious, a caterpillar and butterfly for example. Whereas others are more complex, a rocking horse and a rocking chair. Each double page spread is a delight - the simple drawings and choice of colours are perfect.

Reading in sequence, page after page, you’ll notice a few of the images are potentially connected in one way or another but I won't spoil it... A particularly lovely book to discover with children (and adults!)

This gorgeous book by Anne-Margot Ramstein & Matthias Aregui is published by Walker Books is available in hardback at £12.99 and is available at waterstones.com