bookreviews

A bit lost by Chris Haughton

A bit lost by Chris Haughton ... "Don't worry, little friend. I'll find your mummy. What does she look like?"... a friendly but no so smart squirrel offers baby owl some help to find Mummy owl after he had fallen out of the nest... every page comes with a funny surprise. It is a short but happy and funny story and I noticed my boys were both responding to each page with different comments. And if that happens I know we all are going to love the book for a long time. So much room for imagination in this book.

The illustrations and colors are so beautiful that I wish I could hang them as prints. Most important Lode LOVED it, he was laughing and touched by the little owl. This is book is an absolute winner in every way... young and old will be happy reading and looking.  >>> Read More

 

The Close Knit Gang

'Bright Young Things' and 'The Close Knit Gang' by MillaMia

Two Swedish sisters living in London started MillaMia in 2009 and already published two very nice knitting books. Both books are a true reflection of their Swedish heritage. What makes these knitting books special for me are the bright colour combinations used for traditional designs, like a scarf, a cardigan or a baby blanket. The patterns are not difficult at all and so you as a beginner will have no trouble creating one of the pieces. Both books really give a new look and idea on knitted-clothes for children!

..MillaMia..

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger and photography by Angela Lang

I really understand why this book got a 5 star rating at Amazon and some very nice reviews from readers...the book is just very well written, easy to understand and the patterns are straightforward, If you are a beginner, experienced or a pro you will be able to find a nice pattern in this book. The Vintage theme makes all the pieces even more special and adorable just as you could wish for...I was immediately inspired to start knitting myself again, of course the gorgeous images by Angela Lang help a lot liking this book so much!

..You can order 'Vintage Knits for Modern Babies' right here..

..Hadley Fierlinger, Shescrafty..
..Angela Lang website..
..Angela Lang blog..
..Publisher RandomHouse..

Dog Blue

Dog Blue  by Polly Dunbar

A little while ago a puppy arrived in our home, a super lovely Beagle ... the following day I visited the bookstore and found this really nice book ... of course the beautiful illustrations caught my at first but when reading the story I got very excited ... it's such a funny story about a little boy looking for a Blue Dog. Of course impossible to find so he starts creating an imaginary life about being a Blue Dog himself, but one day a real dog approaches him. When I read the book to my son and his friends they laugh out lout. And the nice thing is the story also comes with a nice message about not judging people on their looks ... enjoy reading!

..the book is available right here..

Let's go

Let's go by Charlotte Dematons

This is probably one of the nicest books I have read together with my son ... such an adventurous story about a little boy who needs to go and buy some apples for his mom in the grocery shop behind their home ... the little boy has to walk via their backyard to the shop and with his enormous imagination their backyard suddenly becomes this wild forest where you can find a dragon, sleeping giant, wales, a pirate-ship and more...each scene is beautifully illustrated and viewed from above filled with fantastic details....my son 'eats' this book and not only listens carefully when I read it to him, he also becomes the little boy which makes it very funny for me...

..this book is available right here..

Follow the Line Around the World

Follow the Line Around the World
By Laura Ljungkvist

I just knew that my son would love this book ... and yes as soon as he opened the present he was addicted to this bright and shiny book ... and it followed him where ever he went ... I think he is very attracted to colors, the line-shaped animals and just the magic of how the lines continue on each page ... it's not Laura Ljungkvist’s  first 'Follow the line' book but definetly my favorite ... so follow the lines from the camels of the Sahara Desert to the blue whales of Greenland, from the giraffes of Kenya’s grasslands to the kangaroos of Australia’s Outback ...

..the book is available here..

Iggy Peck, Architect

Iggy Peck, Architect
By Andrea Beaty , illustrated by David Roberts

This is the bittersweet story of Iggy Peck, who has been an architect since he was two.
Growing up, he built towers of diapers, a sphinx with dirt clods, churches from apples and the St. Louis Arch from pancakes and coconut pie.
Now when our friend makes it to second grade his teacher states "We do not talk buildings here"
Iggy suffers as the teacher seems inflexible about construction, based, we learn, in some traumatic childhood experience of hers in a tall building.
Luckily in a class outing, Iggy skills are much needed when he builds a bridge and saves the day, getting the teacher's recognition.
..."Now every week at Blue River Creek elementary in second grade, all the kids can hear, along with Miss Greer, how the world greatest buildings were made"...

This is a story of creativity being rewarded at the end. The text is funny and beautifully written in rhyme. The illustrations are super detailed and charming, really outstanding.
It is really in my list of top favorites this year!

..the book is available here..

..thanks Lorena for writing this review..

The Incredible Book-Eating Boy

The Incredible Book-Eating Boy
by Oliver Jeffers

"Henry loved books. But not like you and I love books, no. Not quite...
Henry loved to EAT books. (...) But here is the best bit: The more he ate, the smarter he got."

This is Oliver Jeffers third book, and my (=Lorena Siminovich) favorite so far. What makes this book so special is his ability to defy picture book rules, creating a thoroughly modern, innovative book yet an instant classic.
First the story: After eating a lot of books and becoming very smart, Henry's increasing appetite gives him indigestion. e realizes that maybe a better way to enjoy books is to read them instead. However the book ends with an image of Henry eating broccoli while reading, and the line: "Henry reads all the time although every now and then...". At the end of the book there is literally a  "Bite" die-cut in the corner showing his book-eating habit may be hard to loose after all. The chewed book corner is not only a funny reminder of human behavior, but a brilliant graphic final punch.
Now to the graphics: The beautiful art is all painted on old book pages and found papers, creating a great subtle muted palette, and  old library feeling. Details of hand-written lettering and collage ephemera add to the effect.
Another outstanding element to the book, is the use of space. Jeffers avoids the typical full spread layout in favor of a quirky grid approach with smart empty spaces. The navigation of the book is therefore fresh and unexpected, and the vignettes help tell the story in delightful bites.{Thank you Lorena for writing this review!}

..the book is available here..

..Oliver Jeffers..

When you were small

When you were small
by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad

I (=Lorena) chose this book for my first review because it is a great example of what children's books should be all about. Sara O'Leary's witty text would stand well on it's own, however the beautiful illustrations by Julie Morstad compliment the book terribly well and take the writing to a whole new level.  A perfect marriage of minimal text and delicate image, both so simple and yet so good, this books warms my heart and puts a smile on my face every time I read it!

In the first page Henry asks his dad, "Tell me when I was small...". The rest of the book gives descriptions of hilarious moments when Henry was small like, "You used to have a pet ant," and "We used to give you baths in the teapots."
'"Dad," says Henry, "is all that true?"  "Well," says his dad, "don't you remember?"'
The overall book design is impecable as are all the books from Simply Read, an independent publisher from Vancouver. This duo have a new book coming out this October entitled "Where You Came From" and I can't hardly wait.

..the book is available here..

..Sara O'Leary's blog..
..Julie Morstad..

{Many Thanks to Lorena for writing this review}

Bus Stops

Bus Stops
by Taro Gomi

This super-fun little book is all about looking at the beautiful illustrations ... the bus travels through the book making a different stop on each page. With a simple question the author asks you and your child to find a particular object or person on the page ...this makes it really interactive and my son enjoys it when he has done a 'good job' ... no ages are given for this book, but I believe as of two years old this is a perfect gift for all children, also when they learn to start reading themselves, a very good practice ... big compliments to Taro Gomi for creating such a feast for the eye!

..the book is available here..