Picture Books and Fiction Age 6 up

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Belgian Writer and Illustrator

Annemie Berebrouckx

Bernie (and) Flora

Book Island, Raumati, Wellington   2012   $19.99pb    36 pages

ISBN 978 0 9876 6961 2

Themes: Flowers/ Friendship/ Love

The friendship between Bernie the bear and Flora the duck goes back a long way as does their love of the beautiful flowers in Bernie’s garden. Then one morning Flora arrives at Bernie’s house to find all the flowers have vanished – who could do such a thing? A gentle and colourful story that explores the nature of friendship and love with subtle touches of humour.  

 Preschool up / Age 4 up

Irish Writer and Belgian Illustrator

Lorraine Francis, illustrated by Pieter Gaudesaboos

Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich

Book Island, Raumati, Wellington   2012   $24.99hb    16 pages

ISBN 978 0 9876 6960 5

Themes: Board books/ Food preparation/ Healthy food

Sammy is so hungry that although he begins by making a very large sandwich it is just not enough to satisfy him. He goes out into the city to find more and more delicious ingredients and to make the sandwich grow and grow. There is much to look at and the laminated pages encourage much touching as well.  With an emphasis on healthy foods, a wide age range of children will enjoy the idea of making their own skyscraper sandwiches (and, depending on the ingredients, eating them).

Preschool up / Age 4 up

 

Dutch Writer and Belgian Illustrator

Dirk Nielandt, illustrated by Marjolein Pottie

Sir Mouse To The Rescue

Book Island, Raumati, Wellington   2012   $24.99hb    52 pages

ISBN 978 0 9876 6962 9

Themes: Friendship/ Funny stories/ Short stories 

 

Mouse is dressed in armour and carries a sword. She is a knight.  Dragon doesn’t have any of these things – she is just Dragon and she and Mouse are friends. This is a very clever look at stereotypes, at how opposites often attract in friendships and how we all (mice, dragons and human beings) are a combination of many personalities. Great to read aloud and to follow up with some of the suggested activities on the website. (See below) Also perfect for emerging readers to enjoy on their own.  

Year 2 up/ Age 6 up

I have only just come across Book Island, a new publishing firm based in Raumati South, their first three titles published in November last year and their publisher Greet Pauwelijn. Greet has created many spin offs to accompany the books and you can find out about them, the publishing firm and the publisher by visiting www.bookisland.co.nz

I will most certainly be looking out for further titles published by this firm.

Note to new writers:

Yes, I know the idea of another source to which to send material is really exciting (and especially when you see the high quality of the first three titles), but I have to tell you that, because all the books published by Book Island are translated, they do not accept any unsolicited manuscripts.