review: The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

 

ISBN: 978-0007182343 (paperback)

Suggested age range: preschool-primary

Synopsis: When a little girl loses someone close to her, she bottles up her feelings and falls out of love with the world. In time she grows up and it takes a special little person to help her rekindle that romance with life.

Why we love it: We're huge Jeffers fans here at Zomace, his illustrative style varies from beautifully evocative and detailed to simple and iconic. His stories span the full range of human emotions, a true talent in children's writing. This book is about as sad as a book suitable for young children could be but the ending is beautiful and happy.

Illustrative style: modern, timeless, beautiful. There is so much to look at on every page we're sure that children will get more from this book every time they pick it up.

Bonus: yes there's an app, but we wont get into that debate (yet!). If you're interested in your child growing up bilingual, you could try the Spanish version!

Available from The Book Depository.

review: Guess how much I love you? by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

 

ISBN: 978-1406319262 (board book)

Suggested age range: baby-primary

Synopsis: Tying his hardest to explain how he loves big nutbrown hare the most, competing with the superlative love of his daddy is tough for little nutbrown hare.

Why we love it: It's a keeper, more than 15 years old the story is simple and classic. The last page brings a lump to my throat every time. Perfect for a whispered bedtime cuddle.

Illustrative style: timeless, pretty, adorable!

Try shopping with The Bookseller Crow on the Hill.

review: No! by Marta Altes

ISBN: 978-1846434174  (paperback)

Suggested age range: baby-primary

Synopsis: 'No' the dog gets up to all sorts of mischief but his family love him anyway. A cute twist at the end that you will see coming but is a real surprise for young readers.

Why we love it: it's one of those books that is as enjoyable for the grown-up as the child to read. Particularly good if you have a dog as your child can recognise how naughty 'no' the doggy is!

Illustrative style: modern, naïve, humorous and quirky. You might think 'I could have drawn that', but you didn't, so ner!



For this review we are supporting Waterstones, buy this book here.

howdy!

We're Zoe and Amy and we seriously love books. In 2013 the one and only Cecil was born and it was then that we discovered we shared a passion for beautifully written and illustrated childrens' books.

These will be our thoughts on all the books we buy to read to CC as she grows up. Nothing beats going to a bookshop and having a browse, but we hope to point you in the direction of the cream of children's literature if time isn't on your side.

 

That being said, we hope you will support your local bookshop!

Love, Zoe, Amy & Cecilia x