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

Down under picture books for ankle biters!

It being Australia ('Straya!) day last Saturday, I got thinking about picture books that have an Australian theme or even small details relating to Australia and I managed to come up with quite a few off the top of my head! 

I had various Australian Au pairs growing up; Kylie One, Kylie Two and Vanessa (I'm not joking about the Kylie's!) until I was about 12 (I was regularly called an ankle biter and nipper) I also had a some great lodgers for a while, two lovely Australian couples from Melbourne (of which all have children now and are living back in Aus). "G'day" and "no worries" were definitely part of my everyday language as a kid with these guys around!

My mum also spent quite a bit of time in Aus when she was about 25 and she is always saying how much she loved her time there. 

Anyway I thought I'd share this list on here (as I've never written anything but reviews on here so far...) so here goes!

'Possum Magic' written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas

“Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush, there lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made bush magic…”

Grandma Poss uses bush magic to do all sorts of things, including making Hush invisible. But one day Hush wants to be visible again and the only way to do this is to find the right food (people food not possum food!) So they tour Australia from Brisbane to Sydney trying different foods to make Hush visible again; including ANZAC biscuits, pavlova and Lamingtons!

A brilliant story with fabulous illustrations - a treasured book in my house. 

'Slow Loris' written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon

OK so Alexis isn't Australian and neither is this book... But I had to include this little illustration from the book! 

'Diary Of A Wombat' written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Way before Diary Of A Wimpy Kid there was Diary Of A Wombat! Simple illustrations detailing an introduction of what wombats do with their days. Oh, they like digging holes, eating and sleeping (as well as something else but you'll have to read to find out!)

There is also Diary Of A Christmas Wombat and Diary Of A Baby Wombat which are equally fantastic.

'Boomer The Roo' & 'An Emu Called Tangles' written by Josephine Barrymore and illustrated by Leanne Fleming or Lauren Wilhelm

Both of mine are inscribed 'Dear Laura, lots of love always, Kylie one xxxx' and I truly treasure these - the publisher was fitting for me, Little Aussie!

'Here come the Little Aussies running down the track, they're off to visit Tangles in the Great Outback. 

First comes Kip, he's carrying his swag.

Smokey's put his bush hat on and Buttons has her bag.'

Kip's a surfer and a skateboarder by the way, and Boomer is a lifeguard. Awesome characters and of course a moral to each story where Boomer or Tangles save the day and teach the Little Aussies (koalas) a lesson!

'This Is Australia' written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek

Again not actually Australian but a lovely addition to anyone's library, gorgeously illustrated detailing landmarks, Australian animals and culture. 

Someone told me a few days ago that they never wanted to visit or live in Australia because what little culture they had was boring and uninteresting, I honestly don't think she could have been more wrong and I really hope I'm lucky enough to visit one day (or to live would be my dream!)

Here's a little Roo just because they're so cute! 

Anyway I hope you've enjoyed this post, and please do comment/tweet me letting me know of any other Aussie books you would recommend! Also if you're ever in Melbourne visit The Little Bookroom (@Little_Bookroom), a delightful children's bookshop. 

Extra Reading:

'Edwina The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement

'Edward The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement

'Greetings From Sandy Beach' by Bob Graham

'Window' by Jeannie Baker

'W Is For Wombat' by Bronwyn Bancroft

'Kangaroo's Can Can Cafe' by Julia Jarman and Lynne Chapman

'Aussie Animals' by Rod Campbell

'The Bungarra Five' by Josephine Barrymore and Lauren Wilhelm

'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan

Slightly unrelated but also pretty much any book published by Walker Books Australia too.

‘Quand Le Loup A Faim’ (When the Wolf Is Hungry) written by Christine Naumann-Villemin and illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo

I came across this book in Bergerac, South West France whilst on holiday with my family this summer. We were wandering through the old town and there, tucked in behind the vegetable market was an amazing bookshop with one of the most exciting children’s sections I have ever come across.  There was an entire section devoted to wolves! My family took a rather long coffee break and returned for me two hours later, when I was still reluctant to leave! I left with an armful of books, including this marvellous tale.

Sadly, my French is little more than basic but that didn’t deter from my enjoyment of this book even before I turned to Google translate for assistance. And then when I did, the tale became more hilarious still not only through having the words brought to life but then in turn, through the delightful inaccuracies in translation!

   

Edmond Bigtarin is a very hungry wolf and is really quite partial to rabbit, one that is grain fed and has fine hair. Edmond cycles off to the city from his lonely cabin in the woods in search of said rabbit, knife in hand.  On reaching the city he comes across a rather tall building.  He glances through the names on the bells at the door and comes to an abrupt halt at the nameplate for 'Max Omatose, Rabbit, 5^th Floor'. Edmond is happy! He presses the button on the elevator with the tip of his knife and adjusts his bow tie, “as a greedy wolf should not be any less elegant” (according to Google!)

Numerous animals including a turkey, a cow, a bear and a polecat appear on the scene in his elevator journey and interrupt Edmond’s efforts to reach the rabbit’s apartment. They all enquire as to whether he is the new neighbour? Edmond, not wanting to reveal the true purpose of his quest, confirms that indeed he is. The enchanting final page depicts Edmond's change of heart (he becomes a vegetarian!) after realising through his experiences en route to rabbit, that friends are infinitely more important than a tasty rabbit supper. He relocates to the city and becomes the President of the Good Neighbours Association.

Di Giacomo’s illustrations are sketchy yet detailed - the wolf with his sinister grin as he heaves the chainsaw into the elevator (having lost his knife at one point), the sincere bear who then asks to borrow the chainsaw to cut the hedge on the roof in preparation for a party there that night and of course, the amiable rabbit who welcomes the wolf with open arms to join their celebrations.

I love the imagery of a dapper, bow tie wearing wolf wandering around an apartment block with a chainsaw in hand, the naivety of the other animals and the fabulous ending. This is an utterly brilliant twist on the many traditional folktales starring wolves. This book is nothing short of irresistible and will appeal to children and adults alike (meat eaters and vegetarians!)

Recommended age 3 and a half plus

Published by Kaleidoscope in hardback and is €13.20

'Charley's First Night' written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Whichever books she illustrates, I somehow cannot dislike a one by Helen Oxenbury. Take 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen, 'Farmer Duck' by Martin Waddell and 'Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes' by Mem Fox for example - luckily the talented authors' ensured every book she's illustrated I've loved even more because of their stories!






Amy Hest is a fine example of a writer that works well with different illustrators; I grew up with the 'Baby Duck' stories, illustrated by Jill Barton, which are delightful. And of course the inspiring 'When Jessie Came Across The Sea', illustrated by P.J. Lynch. Her stories just have such charm.

Charley's First Night is certainly no exception. A sweet, sweet story about a young boy named Henry Korn with a gorgeous new puppy (I know they're all cute but this one is especially scrumptious!) whom he's named Charley Korn. 

When Henry is told he must walk Charley every day and feed Charley every day, he can't wait! But when he hears that Charley has to sleep in the kitchen every night, Henry can't stop wondering about Charley downstairs all alone! While Henry is in bed, Charley starts crying and Henry rushes downstairs to comfort him. I don't think I need to tell you where Charley ends up sleeping on his first night...

I'm not a huge dog lover (two cats!) but this heart-warming story portrays the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog.

Recommended age 3+

Published by Walker Books in hardback and is £11.99

'The King Of Capri' written by Jeanette Winterson and illustrated by Jane Ray

I have to admit that when I first saw Jane Ray's illustrations I wasn't sold, for some reason characters faces didn't quite warm to me. However after reading The King Of Capri I completely understand why people love her. 

Essentially a rags to riches book but set among the most beautiful pages... After a fierce storm one night, the greedy king wakes up to discover that all his belongings have blown over to the bay of Naples, his beautiful silk clothes and valuable treasures.

Over in Naples the town is in chaos, the storm has uprooted everyone's belongings and everything has landed within other people's gardens! A lonely, humble washerwoman and her Italian speaking cat, Wash, have woken up to find countless expensive and useful items in their garden and become very prosperous indeed, of course kindly sharing their new found wealth. 

Some time later, the penniless king visits Naples and bumps into the washerwoman wearing his silk pyjamas! They soon become great companions and share their fortune, the king realising that wealth isn't everything. It just goes to show you should never just flick through a book and judge it by it's illustrations, Ray has managed to perfectly capture Winterson's story and add to the delight of this classic tale. 

Recommended age 4+

Published by Bloomsbury in paperback and is £4.99

Images from the Illustration Cupboard website - www.illustrationcupboard.com

'Slow Loris' written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon

Slow Loris is a slow loris.  All the other animals in the zoo think Slow Loris is boring because he is

                                                                                                         very

                                                                                                                 very

                                                                                                                         slow.

                                                                                                           All the visitors to the zoo think Slow Loris is boring because he is

                                                                                    very

                                                                                                 very                                    

                                                                                                                                                                             slow.

But Loris has a secret...

One night the other animals at zoo lea rn Loris' secret and discover he isn't quite as boring as they thought.This is one of my all-time favourite pictures books!  A short, simple story paired with wonderful illustrations make this book perfect for picture book lovers of all ages.

Recommended age 3+

Published by Red Fox in paperback and is £5.99

Reviewed by Emma Borg

'Iggy Peck, Architect' written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts

One of my favourite picture books ever! A brilliant combination of David Roberts' detailed illustrations and Andrea Beaty's rhyming sentences.

Iggy Peck has been building with whatever materials he can get his hands on, whether that be nappies, pencils or apples and peaches. His parents love their son's talent, but when he starts school his teacher, Miss Lila Greer, isn't happy with Iggy's interest in architecture. You see, Miss Greer has had a fear of heights since the age of six where she spent a rather long while stuck in a lift with circus performers at the top of a very high building.

But what happens when on a school trip, Iggy's class incurs a disaster and Miss Greer passes out?! Can Iggy and his talent help save the day with some shoestrings and a a couple of fruit roll-ups?

A few of my friends are studying architecture at university and I have bought several of them copies for their birthday's and they have been very well received!

Recommended age 3 and a half +

Published by Harry N. Abrams in paperback and is £7.95