Showing posts with label picture fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture fiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Children's Books of 2014
Brainpickings has put together a list of top children's books of 2014. I haven't seen some of them, but Oliver Jeffers' "Once Upon An Alphabet" is simply genius.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
The Sleeper and the Spindle (Pic Fic)
AUTHOR: Neil Gaiman (UK) ; illustrated by Chris Riddell.
PUBLISHED: Bloomsbury, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 66 pages, ill.
PLOT:
A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish. On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems.
REVIEW:
This dark fairy tale adaptation (not for young children) is spectacular (but I have a bit of a soft spot for Gaiman's work). The story has threads of the familiar, but at the same time is a new story. The black and white illustrations are enhanced with gold accents. With the Vellum cover, it's a delight.
AGE: 8+.
GENRE: Fairy tale
RATING: 5 stars.
PUBLISHED: Bloomsbury, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 66 pages, ill.
PLOT:
A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish. On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems.
REVIEW:
This dark fairy tale adaptation (not for young children) is spectacular (but I have a bit of a soft spot for Gaiman's work). The story has threads of the familiar, but at the same time is a new story. The black and white illustrations are enhanced with gold accents. With the Vellum cover, it's a delight.
AGE: 8+.
GENRE: Fairy tale
RATING: 5 stars.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Aviary Wonders Inc. (PB)
FULL TITLE: Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual : renewing the world's bird supply since 2031.
AUTHOR: Kate Samworth (USA)
PUBLISHED: Clarion Books, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 31 pages, illustrations.
PLOT:
In a future when deforestation and other environmental factors have caused many bird species to go extinct, businessman Alfred Wallis offers a catalog of parts for creating replacements, from hand-carved beaks to Italian-leather feet. Mix-and-match wings, beaks, crests, legs, and more. Clients discover problems when they try to mix and match parts that don't work together.
REVIEW:
The book takes a humorous look at a future where you can create a bird in much the same way that one would make something out of Lego, or in a build-a-bear store (except that this pet is alive). It is very creative, funny, and though-provoking.
It would be a good discussion prompt in sustainability and environmental lessons - what will the future be like if our wildlife disappears? For light-hearted imagination, children can imagine what bird they would create themselves.
AGE: 7-12. This picture book may be read/browsed by children aged 4+, but the deeper storyline, the environmental message and the humour is ideal for older children.
GENRE: Fantasy fiction
RATING: 4 1/2 - 5 stars.
AUTHOR: Kate Samworth (USA)
PUBLISHED: Clarion Books, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 31 pages, illustrations.
PLOT:
In a future when deforestation and other environmental factors have caused many bird species to go extinct, businessman Alfred Wallis offers a catalog of parts for creating replacements, from hand-carved beaks to Italian-leather feet. Mix-and-match wings, beaks, crests, legs, and more. Clients discover problems when they try to mix and match parts that don't work together.
REVIEW:
The book takes a humorous look at a future where you can create a bird in much the same way that one would make something out of Lego, or in a build-a-bear store (except that this pet is alive). It is very creative, funny, and though-provoking.
It would be a good discussion prompt in sustainability and environmental lessons - what will the future be like if our wildlife disappears? For light-hearted imagination, children can imagine what bird they would create themselves.
AGE: 7-12. This picture book may be read/browsed by children aged 4+, but the deeper storyline, the environmental message and the humour is ideal for older children.
GENRE: Fantasy fiction
RATING: 4 1/2 - 5 stars.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Fox (PB) (Jnr Fic)
AUTHOR: Margaret Wild (AUS); ILLUSTRATOR: Ron Brooks
PUBLISHED: Australia : Kane/Miller, c2000.
PUBLISHED: Australia : Kane/Miller, c2000.
PLOT:
A one-eyed dog and an injured magpie form an alliance and a deep friendship, living together in the forest. When a fox comes along, Magpie tries to tell Dog not to trust him, but Dog dismisses his friend. Eventually, the cunning fox convinces Magpie to betray her friend and go for a ride on his back. He abandons her in the forest, telling her now they will know what it means to be alone.
REVIEW:
This is a very dark story; both the words and pictures are foreboding. While this is a picture book, it is NOT for young children. The sociopathic fox, the naive dog, and the magpie who allows herself to be conned into hurting her friend are not themes to share before naptime.
This does not mean it is not a good book, but it is certainly an example of why you should read a story yourself before reading it to a child.
AGE: 7-12.
RATING: 4 stars
A one-eyed dog and an injured magpie form an alliance and a deep friendship, living together in the forest. When a fox comes along, Magpie tries to tell Dog not to trust him, but Dog dismisses his friend. Eventually, the cunning fox convinces Magpie to betray her friend and go for a ride on his back. He abandons her in the forest, telling her now they will know what it means to be alone.
REVIEW:
This is a very dark story; both the words and pictures are foreboding. While this is a picture book, it is NOT for young children. The sociopathic fox, the naive dog, and the magpie who allows herself to be conned into hurting her friend are not themes to share before naptime.
This does not mean it is not a good book, but it is certainly an example of why you should read a story yourself before reading it to a child.
AGE: 7-12.
RATING: 4 stars
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Boring Book (PB)
AUTHOR: Vasanti Unka (NZ)
PUBLISHED: 2013
PUBLISHED: 2013
PLOT:
There was once a book so boring that everyone who tried to read it fell asleep. One day the words in the book said "We're tired of standing in rows, let's have fun instead!" So they escaped from the boring book, went out into the world, and things would never be the same again. The words jump into street signs, they leap onto shop signs, they decorate pathways and roadways and ponds. They change size and font. But one day they go too far...
REVIEW:
This is quite a complex book, complete with lift-the-flaps, fold-outs, and pull-out inserts in the form of books within books (ingenious and delightful). The Boring Book explores the importance of books and words in a fun and imaginative way. Children and adults alike will love it. The Boring Book is NOT a boring book.
AGE: 4-9
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
There was once a book so boring that everyone who tried to read it fell asleep. One day the words in the book said "We're tired of standing in rows, let's have fun instead!" So they escaped from the boring book, went out into the world, and things would never be the same again. The words jump into street signs, they leap onto shop signs, they decorate pathways and roadways and ponds. They change size and font. But one day they go too far...
REVIEW:
This is quite a complex book, complete with lift-the-flaps, fold-outs, and pull-out inserts in the form of books within books (ingenious and delightful). The Boring Book explores the importance of books and words in a fun and imaginative way. Children and adults alike will love it. The Boring Book is NOT a boring book.
AGE: 4-9
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
Friday, October 18, 2013
Rules of Summer (PB)
AUTHOR: Shaun Tan
PUBLISHED: 2013
PUBLISHED: 2013
PLOT/REVIEW:
A deceptively simple story about two boys, one older and one younger, and the kind of rules that might govern any relationship between close friends or siblings. Rules that are often so strange or arbitrary, they seem impossible to understand from the outside.
Yet through each exquisite illustration of this nearly wordless narrative, we can understand the story of friendship that is so familiar - something friendship is easy, and sometimes it is hard. As you venture deep into the story, the images and the story line become darker, more mysterious and unsettling, but it draws together at the end to affirm the bond of deep friendship.
AGE: 6-10
RATING: 4 stars
A deceptively simple story about two boys, one older and one younger, and the kind of rules that might govern any relationship between close friends or siblings. Rules that are often so strange or arbitrary, they seem impossible to understand from the outside.
Yet through each exquisite illustration of this nearly wordless narrative, we can understand the story of friendship that is so familiar - something friendship is easy, and sometimes it is hard. As you venture deep into the story, the images and the story line become darker, more mysterious and unsettling, but it draws together at the end to affirm the bond of deep friendship.
AGE: 6-10
RATING: 4 stars
Ten Tiny Things (PB)
AUTHOR: Meg McKinlay ; ILLUSTRATOR: Kyle Hughes-Odgers
PUBLISHED: 2012
PUBLISHED: 2012
PLOT:
Tessa and Zachary have a machine that is swift and splendiferous. Every day it carries them from here to there and back again in cool calm comfort. But one morning, the machine breaks down. To their horror, Tessa and Zachary are forced to walk to school. Along the way, they find things that are smooth and blue, shiny and red - ten tiny things. The next day their machine is fixed, but they chose to walk - it is an excellent walk, simple and splendiferous.
REVIEW:
The description of a car without saying it's a car (swift and splediferous machine) is a nice touch. It adds that extra little layer of fantasy without losing touch with reality. It makes the children appear to live in an alien land, while children still know exactly what they are talking about. The focus on observation skills and looking at things with new eyes is dealt with in a very cute way and would be the perfect segue to a nature walk.
AGE: 4-8
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
Tessa and Zachary have a machine that is swift and splendiferous. Every day it carries them from here to there and back again in cool calm comfort. But one morning, the machine breaks down. To their horror, Tessa and Zachary are forced to walk to school. Along the way, they find things that are smooth and blue, shiny and red - ten tiny things. The next day their machine is fixed, but they chose to walk - it is an excellent walk, simple and splendiferous.
REVIEW:
The description of a car without saying it's a car (swift and splediferous machine) is a nice touch. It adds that extra little layer of fantasy without losing touch with reality. It makes the children appear to live in an alien land, while children still know exactly what they are talking about. The focus on observation skills and looking at things with new eyes is dealt with in a very cute way and would be the perfect segue to a nature walk.
AGE: 4-8
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Badger's Parting Gifts (PB)
AUTHOR: Susan Varley
PUBLISHED: Originally 1984, reprint 2013
AGE: 5+ (depends on child)
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
PUBLISHED: Originally 1984, reprint 2013
PLOT:
Badger is so old that he knows he will soon die. He tries to prepare his friends for this event, but he does die, they are still grief stricken. Gradually they come to terms with their grief by remembering all the practical things Badger taught them, and so Badger lives on in his friends' memories of him.
REVIEW:
A lovely little story to help children understand death and grief. As with all books of this nature, some children will find the topic confronting or confusing, and you should read the book yourself before reading it to the very young or very sensitive.
Badger is so old that he knows he will soon die. He tries to prepare his friends for this event, but he does die, they are still grief stricken. Gradually they come to terms with their grief by remembering all the practical things Badger taught them, and so Badger lives on in his friends' memories of him.
REVIEW:
A lovely little story to help children understand death and grief. As with all books of this nature, some children will find the topic confronting or confusing, and you should read the book yourself before reading it to the very young or very sensitive.
AGE: 5+ (depends on child)
RATING: 4 1/2 stars
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Where the Forest Meets the Sea (PB)
AUTHOR: Jeannie Baker (Aust)
PUBLISHED: 1988
REVEIW: In a combination of realism and fantasy, WTFMTS tells the story of a young boy visiting a Nth Queensland island with his grandfather. Through his eyes we see the past, present, and possible future of pristine rainforest.
The book has strong environmentalist themes.
AGE: 5-10
RATING: 5 stars
PUBLISHED: 1988
REVEIW: In a combination of realism and fantasy, WTFMTS tells the story of a young boy visiting a Nth Queensland island with his grandfather. Through his eyes we see the past, present, and possible future of pristine rainforest.
The book has strong environmentalist themes.
AGE: 5-10
RATING: 5 stars
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