One thing I am learning about Rachel Bright and Jim Field is that they write and illustrate awesome books that are funny, with a captivating message on the side. The Squirrels Who Squabbled is a beautiful story of friendship and working together, but to get there laughter is ensured.
The excitement I felt when opening these three Little People Big Dreams book when they arrived in the mail is indescribable. I was presented with elegant and beautifully presented books, and I was instantly love with the possibilities of them.
As soon as I took this book out of the package it was sent in I was instantly transported back to my childhood. My little Pony was a huge part of my life growing up and I know I collected a few over the years. What is even more exciting now is that I get to share this book with my niece who also loves the ponies and has quite the collection, and I can't wait to share in her pure joy as she looks through this book.
This is a book that had me close to tears at the message that it speaks. It will have your school aged child thinking and talking about its meaning, and for the younger child it is a lullaby that whispers words of comfort and grace. The illustrations will captivate both young and old eyes.
Sometimes I wonder whether picture books are written for us the adults too, or whether something just resonates with us that it just feels that way. This is how this book was for me, first of all I loved it - its hard not to love Aaron Blabey books - and second I think we have all had or have a guff in our lives whether it be a fabric or human friend.
I love this book, and was very excited to read this to one of my baby storytime groups just recently where it was well received by all. In fact, the babies were so attentive to the book and I had never seen anything like it before for such an age group.
Congratulations to Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley on their win in the category Book of the Year: Early Childhood. I can see why this won in its category, the story is impacting and the illustrations are on a whole other level, their childlike nature is mesmerising. The pictures give me a real sense of Canteen Creek and those cheeky animals.
DK continually make books that are both educational and fun for children that encourage conversation, thinking and reading; a well rounded literacy experience. This book, Spot the Difference: Building Site is fun and interactive, giving the reader some fun difference spotting activities on each page.
The colours draw you into the story on those first few pages of the book, the shades of green give you the feeling of being out among the trees and plants in the garden, the tortoise face a beautiful rosy complexion whose eyes show an old but warm and happy soul. The colours and illustrations continue to amaze as I turn the pages, each majestic and beautiful creature brought to life by the artist ability to bring us the African Jungle through her artistic ability.
I was very excited to attend the book launch - or as the wonderful host said to the children - the book birthday of I Just Ate My Friend. I love being able to support Australian authors, whether it by purchasing their books or in this case attending my first book launch. The first thing I did was purchase myself the book and the staff asked if I would like it signed...Yes Please! I was delighted to have a quick chat with the author Heidi McKinnon, who is incredibly humble, lovely to speak to and will delight us with another book in the future...although she is not sure what it will be about yet.
Little Big Reads 