A RAFT OF SPECIAL KID’S BOOKS
WILLY’S GRANDPAScott Tulloch – Harper Collins - $18.99
Let me say straight off that this moving and sensitively told story about a small boy coping with the death of his beloved grandfather brought a tear to my eye. The way in which Willy’s wacky family cope, each in their own way, with the illness and death of Grandpa Pop is beautifully told and illustrated by Martinborough-based artist and illustrator Scott Tulloch. This is his third title following Willy’s dad and Willy’s Mum.
This will be an especially valuable title to own for all families with young children who find themselves in this situation. Really special.
JESSETim Winton, with illustrations by Maureen Prichard
Puffin - $16.95
Early one morning, while his parents sleep, Jesse slips outside, through the garden and out to explore the friendly, frightening world beyond…..
A warm and touching story for littlies from one of Australia’s most acclaimed authors and evocatively illustrated by the experienced Adelaide artist Maureen Prichard.
CREATURES AOTEAROADylan Owen – Gecko Press- $18.99
This is quite different to most childrens’ picture books in that it employs a wide range of media from artists such as Jeff Thomson, Richard Killeen, Joanne Wilkes and Michael Tuffery. Another point of difference is that it was developed with special help from the children of Karori Normal School’s creative writing class and their teacher Nikki Fraser. Author Dylan Owen works at the National Library where he specializes in providing resources for children.
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMANGavin Bishop - Gecko Press - $24.99
One of NZ’s outstanding children’s book illustrators Gavin Bishop does a fine job here with an old English rhyme in a board book for youngest children.
PEPETUNA
Denise Whitmore – Puffin hardcover - $29.95
One warm spring evening a tiny shiny purplish black egg falls softly to the ground. Two weeks later, a very tiny caterpillar hatches from the egg. His name is Peptuna.
This is the story of the five year life-cycle of a Puriri tree moth. But it is much more than that, it is also the story of the native animals and birds which come and go during the five year cycle.
And the illustrations are simply stunning. The author/illustrator, previously unknown to me, uses multi-layering techniques which result in her beautiful paintings being enhanced by textured layers of lace, paper, thread, buttons and beads. Goodness knows how long it took her to complete.
We are going to see a lot more of Denise Whitmore if she can maintain this standard.
Denise Whitmore – Puffin hardcover - $29.95
One warm spring evening a tiny shiny purplish black egg falls softly to the ground. Two weeks later, a very tiny caterpillar hatches from the egg. His name is Peptuna.
This is the story of the five year life-cycle of a Puriri tree moth. But it is much more than that, it is also the story of the native animals and birds which come and go during the five year cycle.
And the illustrations are simply stunning. The author/illustrator, previously unknown to me, uses multi-layering techniques which result in her beautiful paintings being enhanced by textured layers of lace, paper, thread, buttons and beads. Goodness knows how long it took her to complete.
We are going to see a lot more of Denise Whitmore if she can maintain this standard.
MY FAVOURITE PLACESMartin Bailey – Mallinson Rendel Hardcover - $25
An appealing and intriguing picture book for five and unders in which the author/illustrator takes us on an adventure with a young boy who has discovered the power of imagination. Martin Bailey is a prolific illustrator of children’s readers but has also earned distinction in the field of philately for his stamp designs.
MAKING FRIENDSHeide Stollinger & Adelheide Dahimene
Gecko Press - $18.99 (paperback) or $29.99 (Hardcover)
Although it is a beautiful day all the animals in the barn are complaining about each other.
Gecko Press specialise in English versions of books by well-known authors and illustrators which have enjoyed success in their own and other countrie, and are winners of international awards of which this is another fine example. Exquisite.
And finally four NZ paperbacks, each good fun & well worth a look:
HUMPTY RUGBY & other classic Kiwi rhymes
Peter Millett, illustrated by Eddie Booth
Puffin - $17.95
OH, NO MISTER POSSUM
Erin Devlin, illustrated by Greg O’Donnell
Puffin - $19.95
HUMPTY RUGBY & other classic Kiwi rhymes
Peter Millett, illustrated by Eddie Booth
Puffin - $17.95
OH, NO MISTER POSSUM
Erin Devlin, illustrated by Greg O’Donnell
Puffin - $19.95
OLIVER GOES EXPLORINGMargaret Beames & Sue Hitchcock
Scholastic - $16.99
RUFUS & THE RAIN
Mark Laurent & Chris Liddiard
Scholastic - $16.99
1 comment:
I liked some of your suggestions -- I'm always on the lookout for good books for my kids. Consider these new picture books by Lance Waite, "A Day with my Dad" and "A Day with My Dad at the Beach." These books are very good at depicting the special relationship between parent (dad, in this case) and child. Great for daughters 2-6 or so. These will be ones she'll ask to hear and have read to over and over again.
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