Wild World by Wide Eyed Editions

I've been quiet on the blog front for a while now, concentrating on website reviews - GoodReads, Toppsta, Hive and the like - but there have been some real stunners through the letterbox recently that I want to shout about. First up is a book that has had me poring over its pages. Wide Eyed...

The Explorer

Katherine Rundell has a beautiful way of making writing like new. Her phrases are bright and unexpected jewels, waking you up to the world. She gives seriously good simile! Her descriptions transport you to the amazon and throw you in to the jungle. The Explorer is an adventure in language as well as storyline. 'From his seat...

If Found…

If Found Please Return to Elise Gravel (Drawn & Quarterly) is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Part sketch book, part inspiration manual, part how-to-draw book, it is like nothing I've come across before. Elise Gravel has given children an insight into her sketch book, her inspiration and her techniques. Designed in a sketch book format, complete with...

Imaginative play with the owl and the pussycat

I love picture books that inspire children’s imagination. I love it when a book echoes children’s play and suggests ways for them to explore a story and create their own adventures. The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat by Coral Rumble and Charlotte Cooke (WackyBee Books) is a delicious re-imagining of the well-known rhyme...

One Thing Stolen by Beth Kephart

  This book is stunning.  The cover is gorgeous and perfectly depicts the essence of the story- all hail Kristine Brogno. But the writing! The writing is like nothing I've ever read before. Think Sarah Crossan meets Jeanette Winterson. It is the book that I am still holding even though I've finished it. Because I can't...

Beautiful Birds

Designed as part alphabet book and part introduction to the world's most beautiful birds, this book is a thing of beauty. The text is pure poetry and the artwork is delicious! My photographs can't do Emmanuelle Walker's illustrations justice. The vivid orange/pink colour from the cover (think bright pink highlighter pen) is included throughout, highlighting...

The Great Big Green Book

We have a responsibility to teach our children about conservation issues and to do so in a way that inspires them to make a difference. The Big Green Book is a hugely positive book that highlights where we have been going wrong but clearly points the next generation to a brighter greener future. This book...

The Trail Game by Herve Tullet

Herve Tullet is the master of interactive art books. This one is a particular favourite here. Place your finger on 'start' then follow the trail. Turn the pages to match the shapes and find your way through the split pages of this beautifully designed book.   Part maze part art book, the split pages and...

Line Up, Please!

I love a picture book that beautifully and seamlessly brings together different genres. Line Up, Please! by Tomoko Ohmura (Gecko Press) is part counting book, part finding out book and part humourous story. It even includes a catchy game for families to play together. And all with fantastic design and illustration and a lovely surprise...

Shhh! A lift-the-flap book with a difference

We LOVE Keep Out! Bears About! by Sally Grindley and Peter Utton. It's a brilliant concept which involves the children directly in the story – the narrator speaking are they sure they want to carry on? Are they brave enough to go through that dark wood, even if there might be bears? And all the...