A parrot from the jungles of Peru

UK Writer (recently arrived from NZ) and Illustrator Katie Haworth, illustrated by Jo Williamson Petunia Paris’s Parrot

The Five Mile Press, 2016 $38.99hb $22.99pb 32pp ISBN 978 1 7604 0369 0 hb/  ISBN 978 1 7837 0490 3   Themes: Birthday parties/ Friendship/ Indulged children/ Sacrifices   

Petunia Paris was a totally indulged little girl whose every wish was her parent's command – a pool, a wardrobe of clothes, a bike with its own chauffeur.  And when on her fifth birthday she had really run out of things to ask for she said the first thing that came into her mind  - I want a talking parrot please (she did say please) and a scarlet parrot all the way from the jungles of Peru was what she got.  Small problem was the parrot, excellent in every other way, didn’t talk.  Without once being heavy handed this is an easily understood story of friendship, of caring about other people’s feelings and of the pleasure of making someone (or something in this case) happy.  The final double page gatefold is a joy to behold. Teachers, caregivers, librarians and parents are going to have a lot of fun sharing this with children.

Preschool up Age 4 up

Note: I hope to be able to post an interview with Katie here in about ten days time.  BM

Penguins at the North Pole?

UK Writer and Illustrator

Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Jarvis (Peter Jarvis)

Poles Apart

 Allen & Unwin 2015 $24.99hb 32pp

ISBN 978 0 8576 3492 4

Themes: Penguins/ Polar Bears/ Travelling

This is the story of a family of penguins (the Pilchard-Browns) who go off for a picnic in the chill of the South Pole and somehow get lost. In fact so lost they end up at the North Pole some 12,430 miles away. Fortunately they meet a well-travelled polar bear (Mr. White) who personally escorts them home through England, Italy, India, America and Australia. A great book to read to a group who will enjoy all the extra jokes, the chances to say ‘hello’ in various languages and the charm of the illustrations.

Preschool up/ Age 4 up

More Team Work from Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird

Mister Spears and His Hairy Ears

Libro International 2015 $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 8775 1484 5

Themes: Bands/ Funny stories/ Rock Stars

Mister Spears has a big hair problem. The hairs in his ears simply will not stop growing in spite of all the innovative ideas he comes up with. Then, one day, a truly brilliant idea comes to him, an idea that will lift him out of his routine day to day affairs and possibly turn him into a rock star. 

There is something about this book that really tickles the funny bone of small children. I only have to half bring it out of the bag when I take it to share with a group of 3 and 4 year olds I read to once a week and they start chanting Mr Spears Mr Spears in anticipation.

Pre school up/ Age 3 up

Published 2014

Published 2012

A Picture Book About Sizes

USA Writer and Illustrator

Anna Kang & Chris Weyant (husband and wife team)

You Are (Not) Small

Hachette Children’s Books 2015   $19.99pb 28pp

ISBN 978 1 4449 1831 1

Themes: Comparisons/ Size

‘I am big!’ ‘No, you are small!’ ‘Big’. ‘Small’. ‘Small’ ‘Big’. An ongoing argument between two hairy and rather portly (in different sizes) creatures who only make up their minds when they work out that size is all a matter of comparison and only works out when you are standing next to someone or something of a different size. This is an original story with much opportunity for spin-offs.

(I am sorry to only be telling you about this now as it was published back in April but it had somehow become wedged between the back of my old computer and the office wall).

Preschool up/ Age 3 up     

Preschool Picture Books

NZ Writer and Illustrator (born in the UK)

Sally Sutton, illustrated by Daron Parton

Zoo Train

Walker Books 2015  $24.95hb 24pp

ISBN 978 19221 7987 6

Themes: Monkeys/ Zoos

Sally Sutton  Image: Niki Hill

A little boy and his mother board a fun train in a very well laid out zoo with opportunities to see all the animals from hippos to monkeys en route. It is the monkeys who provide the action when it is discovered the little boy’s belongings are vanishing one by one and then being seen on the animals as the train travels past. Fun to read aloud with a definite ‘train wheels’ ‘rhythm to it. The understated illustrations in rather pale colours match the text and there is plenty to look at whether it is being shared in a group or with just one child.

Preschool up – Age 3 up

***I'm looking forward to the Kids' Lit Quiz  NZ Finals next Tuesday at National Library in Wellington. More tonight!   Barbara M. 

Picture Books - Preschool up

Swedish Writer & Illustrator

Ulf Stark, illustrated by Eva Eriksson

When Dad Showed Me the Universe

Gecko Press,  2015   $19.99pb 28pp

ISBN 978 1 92727182 7

Themes: Fathers and sons/ Humour/ Understanding

Dad removes his blood-flecked white coat after a day working in his dental surgery and takes his young son (the narrator) out into the cold Swedish night to look at the universe. While the little boy delights in the detail of the blades of grass, the snails and the thistles, his father has his head in the stars identifying the Scorpion, the Little Bear and the Big Dog. Then, to the wicked delight of his son, he steps in a large dog turd and it is time to go home. Ulf Stark, who wrote the book in 1998, is one of the few children’s writers who could take a subject like the whole universe, reduce it to a comfortable and understandable size and inject a great element of humour as well.

The gentle illustrations by Eva Eriksson are as much a part of the story as the text.

Preschool – Age 4 up

Picture Books(with an NZ flavour) pre School up

(Note: No, I hadn't forgotten I had a Book Blog  - Christmas just caught up with me!  BM) 

NZ Illustrator

Little Bo Peep and more… illustrated by Donovan Bixley

Upstart Press 2014 $19.99pp 24pp

ISBN 978 1 9272 6208 5

Themes: Sheep/ Traditional nursery rhymes

Four traditional nursery rhymes (Little Bo Peep/ Baa Baa Black sheep/ Mary had a little lamb and Little Boy Blue) are brought to life here with Donovan Bixley’s inimitable illustrations. He manages to give what are essentially English rhymes a unique New Zealand flavour.  Little Bo Peep’s sheep were not really lost  - they were away enjoying some outdoor pursuits  - tramping/ fishing/ flying a light plane… no wonder they are wagging their tails behind them.  

Preschool up/ Age 4 up (but much older children will find this hilarious)

Picture Books - Preschool up

To be published December 1^st

NZ Illustrator

Jenny Cooper, illustrator

The Farmer in the Dell

Scholastic NZ  2014  $21.00pb   32pp

ISBN 978 1 7754 3195 4

Includes CD of lyrics sung by the Topp Twins

Themes: Farmers/ Nursery Rhymes/ Singing Games

With great verve and a big sense of humour Jenny Cooper has taken the words of the old children’s singing game (said to have originated in Germany around 1820) The farmer in the dell and really brought it to life. A gyrating dog, a benign looking cat with a trembling mouse in his fierce looking claw plus a plump little cheese at the end that stands alone, all contribute to the fun and conviviality. . I haven't seen this game for a long time but I have a feeling when we played it at school it was the cheese that became the farmer for the next round. To add to the general air of good times, the Topp Twins perform the lyrics on an attached CD.

 

Preschool up/ Age 3 up

 

Picture Book - Preschool up

UK Writer and German Illustrator Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 
The Scarecrow’s Wedding

Alison Green Books  2014  $29.00hb 32pp ISBN 978 1 4071 4441 2

Themes: Love stories/ Scarecrows

Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, two of the most endearing scarecrows I have seen in a picture book, are in love, want to be married and are planning a wedding that no one will ever forget. But - they were not planning on the wicked actions of Reginald Rake which included a scarecrow’s most dreaded element – FIRE! This is exactly the sort of new picture book you would expect from the creators of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child.  Julia Donaldson was awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2011 and was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011-2013

Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg and moved to England in 1982 (age 25). He is known and admired for his witty and humorous illustrations.
Preschool up/ Age 4 up 

Julia - Image: Telegraph UK

Axel at work - Image: Wordpress

Picture Books

NZ Writer and illustrator

Raewyn Caisley, illustrated by Lisa Allen Auntie Ellie’s Beach House

Duck Creek Press 2014  $19.99pb 32pp
ISBN 978 1 8773 7896 6
Themes:  Baches/ Beach houses/ Coping with change/ Cribs/ Families/ Memories/ New Zealand seaside life 
 For as long as she can remember Leyla and her family had spent their summer holidays at Auntie Ellie’s beach house. The smells and the sights and the sounds are all part of Leyla’s childhood and now Auntie Ellie calmly says she is going to sell the place and move because in her words ‘the city’s moving too close’. Leyla is devastated but on their last night Auntie Ellie shows her something that makes her realise that families are more important than the places they live.  The illustrations are full of scenes that will familiar to (hopefully) many New Zealand children and their carers and you can almost smell the smoke from the bonfire.  I am not sure what I feel about the different coloured fonts – it will be interesting to find out if children comment on them. 
     

Preschool up / Age 4 up

Picture Books (preschool up)

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Scott Tulloch  I am not a Worm! Scholastic 2014  $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 7754 3251 7

Themes:  Caterpillars/ Chameleons/ Conversations/ Funny Stories  

 

A dialogue between a chameleon and a small, skinny, worm-like creature that is determined he is NOT a worm which may be a mistake on his part when you see what happens to him on the very last page.  The conversation is a familiar one of the yes you did/ no I didn’t /did/ didn’t variety instantly recognisable to anyone who has anything to do with small children and very acutely observed. Children of course, may see something quite different in this story but adults and children will look at the ending and wonder if it is sad or funny. It all depends I guess on the POV. You could be forgiven for looking at the jacket and wondering if this is a Dr Seuss look-alike but open the book and it becomes apparent this is very definitely a uniquely Scott Tulloch production. Google his name for many other titles.

Preschool up/ Age 3 up