Category: Picture Book Reviews

Have you noticed that cats, dogs, and even squirrels have a sense about people who don’t want them around? That your cat always goes to that one relative who is allergic? That the muddy dog jumps over the guy in white trousers? And as much as you wanted to be like a fairytale princess, surrounded…

A unicorn with a medical mystery has stumped trainee doctor Ava and her doctor dads. Unable to diagnose what’s making Glitterbug’s tummy ache, Ava decides to spend the day with her to see if she can solve her mystery illness. Ava soon realises that Glitterbug doesn’t like the same things as all the other unicorns.…

Rescuing rainbows is hard work! There’s tears to be stitched, holes to patch and colours to renew so that they shine brightly once again. The brave, fearless and strong boy sets to work and does all these amazing things, ready for some great adventures with his rainbow. Once mended, together they climb steep mountains, they…

Super talented author/illustrator Anya Glazer manages to combine a hugely important message with rollicking fun and tasty bakes in her new book, Otters Vs Badgers, published by Oxford University Press. The beginning of the book sets the scene: we have otters on one side of the river and badgers on the other because ‘OTTERS AND…

Tadaaaa! The show is about to start, the audience cannot wait, everybody’s in their places, the curtains are about to open annnnnd…. Cow… Cow…? Cow is hiding in the back stage, Cow just can’t do it! “What exactly are you afraid of?”, a fellow cat asks. Cow, like most of us when we become the…

Like most illustrators I grew up drawing, and like most children who grew up drawing I loved painting with my fingers. There is just something about putting your hands on it that makes art that bit more fun. But what really makes it beautiful is when you can see yourself in what you make and…

Making a tower can be tricky when there’s lots of shapes involved. It can be hard work building and creating but sometimes it doesn’t go to plan. Which shapes fit? Can they all balance or will they wobble? When the shapes are ready to give up, Circle asks them to have one more try. Join…

I must say that I am really glad to be one of the first to review Mariajo Ilustrajo’s debut. For me, and already many others, this is the true work of a quality picture book maker. Not only for the beautiful illustrations (you know I love mark making and a limited palette), but for how…

Are you in the cool gang? No? Well, Kevin the cucumber has a lot to teach you. But the other vegetables have a lot to teach him too about being yourself. When Cucumber Lost his Cool by Michelle Robinson and Tom Knight, is remarkably convincing portrayal of the ebbs and flows of little kids’ friendships…