Bookfest Reviews
These reviews were originally written for a publication I edit
called ‘Bookfest’ which is published every year in
October for the Irish Children’s Book Festival. This is a
condensed version of that guide! For more information on the
Festival see www.childrensbooksireland.com
All these titles were published in 2004 and are recommended. I
have read every one of them myself! You can find them on www.amazon.co.uk or you could try ordering through your local library or bookshop. I hope you
find something for your child (or for yourself!).
Happy reading!
(P.S. an ISBN is an international order number by the way! It
means - ‘International Standard Book Number’ and
it’s what you use for ordering a book - all very technical
but useful.)
Books for Babies and Toddlers
| A to Z by author Editor’s
Choice
Nick Sharratt, Illustrated by Sue Heap
One to Ten and Back
Again
Puffin, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 0670894451
|
 |
This wonderful book is an exploration of and ode
to numbers - the numbers one to ten to be precise. The
text is carefully, yet simply written, but it’s the
illustrations that really make this book zing. From the
very first page the two different styles are juxtaposed -
Nick’s strong, graphic style contrasted with
Sue’s more delicately coloured, painterly style. And
on some pages the two come together in one joyful,
exuberant explosion of colour and texture.
|
| Other Books for Babies and Toddlers:
A-Z by author Emma Dodd
Twinkle, Twinkle
Amazing Baby, 4.99stg (Board), ISBN 1904513026
|
 |
A beautifully designed, ultra simple board book
for babies. The text of the traditional nursery rhyme,
‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ is illustrated
with stars of different shapes and sizes. There are lots
of cut outs and tactile, glittery pages for tiny fingers
to explore. Great fun, the ideal very first book.
Read also: Baby’s Day
|
| Oliver Dunrea Ollie
the Stomper
Walker Books, 4.99stg (Board), ISBN 1844288439
|
 |
Ollie is a little gosling who wants a pair of
boots like his friends, Gossie and Gertie. He stomps
after them until they give him a pair of his own with
hilarious consequences. A delightful board book by an
award-winning American author/illustrator. Simply yet
carefully written, with cracking illustrations.
Read also: Ollie, Gossie, Gossie and Gertie
|
‘Four white bubbles, Floating by the tub.
Splish, splash, Poppy Cat, Rub-a-dub-dub!’ A
charming book which young children will love, cleverly
combining board book with chunky jigsaw puzzle. But the
nice thing about this book is that the illustrations and
the text (as well as the concept) are both excellent.
Read also: Poppy Cat Smile
|
A brightly coloured, zany board book. Each
carefully designed page deals with one thing that is big,
and one that is little - like elephants and mice - making
it very easy to follow for even the youngest child. The
illustrations are very bold and eye catching. An ideal
first book.
Read also: Quiet Loud, Yummy Yucky
|
| Fiona Watt, Illustrated by Rachel Wells Kitten
Usborne, 5.99stg (Cloth), ISBN 0746057393
|
|
A kitten follows a length of string and
eventually finds a friend. Each colourful has a special
‘extra’ to keep the young reader interested in
the simple story - from ‘touchy-feely’ panels,
to ‘lift-the-flaps’. And unlike some baby
books, the story and the illustrations are good too. A
real winner!
Read also: That’s Not My Car
|
Books for Age 2 to 5
Many of these titles would also be suitable for
an older child of 5 to 8, especially those marked age 4 +.
| Editor’s
Choice If you buy one
picture book this year, make it this one -
it’s fab!
( The Wonderful and Lovely)
Lauren Child
Hubert Horatio Bartle
Bobton-Trent
Hodder, 12.99stg, (HBK), ISBN 034087788X
|
 |
Hubert Horatio, or ‘H’ for short,
lives with his frightfully rich parents, who largely
ignore him. When the money runs out, Hubert and his
friend Stanton come up with an ingenious plan. This is
Child’s most ambitious and visually striking book
yet. It’s meticulously designed, from the special
text to the collage use of strongly-patterned material.
The colours are gloriously different - hues of
‘dollar’ green and princely purple. A triumph!
Age 4 +
Read Also: Clarice Bean, That’s Me
|
| And also an
Editor’s Choice - Dosh
and Mike Archer
Yellow Bird, Black
Spider
Bloomsbury, 9.99stg (HBK), ISBN 0747564639
|
 |
Instead of nests, Yellow Bird likes hotels; he
also likes ‘peace and quiet . . . and wearing stripy
socks.’ This irritates the convention-loving Black
Spider, who gets his comeuppance in the end. The short,
zippy text is perfectly judged and the mixed-media
illustrations are delightful - large blocks of flat,
bright colour, collages, and photographic cut outs are
all joyfully employed. A deliciously witty, fresh and
original debut.
|
| |
| More Books for Age 2 to 4 A-Z
by author
Catherine and Laurence Anholt
Babysitter Bear
Puffin Books, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 0241141516
|
 |
Babysitter Bear is a lovely fellow who looks
after all the local animal babies and one human baby. But
when he falls in the lake, someone has to take over. A
charmingly pitched and gentle story written in prose and
rhyme. Colourful, child friendly illustrations, full of
detail. Great fun.
Read also: Chimp and Zee
|
| Caroline Binch The
Princess and the Castle
Jonathan Cape, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 0224064614
|
 |
A captivating tale about overcoming childhood
fears. Genevieve’s dad was a fisherman who was lost
at sea, so she hates the sea. But when her mum meets the
enigmatic gentle giant, Cedric, Genevieve agrees to go
sailing with him. Stunningly realistic illustrations make
this modern tale a real winner. Recommended. Age 4 +
Read Also: Christy’s Dream, Since Dad Left
|
| Trish Cooke, Illustrated by Paul Howard Full, Full, Full of Love
Walker, 4.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1844287823
|
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Jay Jay loves Sunday dinner at his
Grannie’s house. He loves ‘her hugs and
kisses’, ‘her tasty dishes’, and most of
all, her love. Cooke’s text is just right for
reading aloud to younger children and the colourful
illustrations perfectly capture the warmth and affection
of the family get-together.
Read Also: So Much, and Mr Pam Pam
|
| Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin Vote for Duck
Pocket Books, 4.99stg (PBK), ISBN 0743483898
|
 |
Duck is fed up with the farmer being in charge,
so he calls an election and wins the vote of course. He
then goes on to win many other elections and ends up
President. But what happens next? A cleverly written and
witty tale with lively, cartoon-style illustrations. Age
4 +
Read also: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, and
Giggle, Giggle, Quack
|
| Julie Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel
Scheffler The
Gruffalo’s Song
Macmillan, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1405020458
|
|
The Gruffalo is back and this time he’s not
alone! His daughter ignores his warnings about the Big
Bad Mouse and tiptoes out alone one night into the snow.
Another delightful story in verse from this talented and
award winning team. The ‘wintery’ illustrations
are full of expression and movement.
Read also: Sharing a Shell, Wiggle and Roar
|
| (This review’s in Irish in case
you’re wondering!) Julia Donaldson,
Axel Scheffler a mhaisigh
Gabriel Rosenstock a rinne an leagan Gaeilge
An Seilide agus an
Míol Mór
An Gúm, €7.55, ISBN 185791550X
|
|
Leabhar pictiúrtha a bhfuil mar théama aige
arís fonn don ainmhí bheag an saol mór a fheiceáil
agus an baile dúchais a fhágáil. Faigheann an
Seilidín glic síob ón Mhíol mhór agus téann siad
thar farraige. Tá an scéal inste i bhfoirm filíochta
ionas go bhfuil rithim ins na focail. An attractive
picture book, written in rhyme.
|
| Lyra Edmonds, Illustrated by Anne Wilson An African Princess
Doubleday, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 0385606176
|
 |
This multi-layered picture book is based on the
author’s own life. Lyra’s mama tells her that
she’s an African princess; but Lyra doesn’t
believe her until she visits Africa for herself and meets
her special aunt, Taunte May. The fantastic, colourful
mixed media illustrations are full of authentic Africa
detail. Age 4 +
|
| Jonathan Emmett, Illustrated by Rebecca Henry Once Upon a Time, Upon a Nest
Macmillan, 9.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1405009136
|
 |
Ruby is a little duck who does everything late,
from hatching to flying. Her mother reassures everyone
that Ruby will develop in ‘her own time’. A
charming picture book with deliciously coloured
illustrations, capturing the spirit and good humour of
the story perfectly. The best duck tale since
Simmons’s ‘Daisy’.
|
| Adele Geras, Illustrated by Shelagh
McNicholas The Ballet
Class
Orchard Books, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1843620952
|
 |
Tilly loves going to ballet class so much that
her mum calls her Tilly Tutu. Tilly looks forward to
being a cat in her show and practices every day. The
gently-coloured Shirley Hughes inspired pencil and
watercolour illustrations are a delight. A charming book,
perfect for any young ballerina.
Read Also: My First Ballet Stories
|
A highly original picture book about a little
biscuit bear who doesn’t want to be eaten. The
illustrations are superb; Grey uses lots of different
perspectives and a wide range of unusual colours, from
matt black to delicious looking pastel pink and yellow. A
book to savour.
Read also: The Pea and the Princess
|
An enchanting collection of stories and rhymes
featuring a little girl and her toddler brother, Olly.
From ballet class, to walks in the park, birthdays and
car journeys, all kinds of familiar childhood experiences
are gently chronicled. The illustrations are wonderfully
colourful and full of expression, bubbling with life and
fun.
Read Also: Alfie Gets in First
|
A delightful and highly original picture book
from a new Irish talent, about a little boy who loves the
stars so much that he finds a way to keep one. The
striking, colourful water colour illustrations really set
this book apart. A perfect debut and a talent to watch
out for.
|
| Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram You’re All My Favourites
Walker, 9.99stg (HBK), ISBN: 0744586607
|
|
Another winner from this talented duo. Daddy
Bear and Mummy Bear have three baby bears, who they love
very much. But who’s their favourite? Gentle,
carefully written text and beautifully understated
illustrations combine to make this picture book a real
winner. An ideal choice for reading out loud. Highly
recommended.
Read Also: Guess How Much I Love You
|
| Anna Obiols, Illustrated by Subi Dali and the Path of Dreams
Frances Lincoln, 10.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1845072820
|
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An unusual picture book about a little boy
called Salvi, the young Salvador Dali, and his dreams. It
introduces some of the Dali’s most famous motifs in
a child-friendly manner, from the melting clocks to the
long-legged elephants. The vibrantly coloured
illustrations are outstanding. An excellent introduction
to Dali’s work. Age 4 +
|
| Helen Ward, Illustrated by Ian Andrew The Boat
Templar, 9.99stg (HBK), ISBN 1840114029
|
|
A stunning and highly original picture book.
When it starts to rain like never before, one boy saves
an old man and his menagerie of rescued animals in a make
shift ark. Lyrical writing and superbly detailed black
and white pencil illustrations combine to make this a
very special read. Age 4 +
Read Also: The Tin Forest
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