review: Goldilocks and just the one bear by Leigh Hodgkinson

 

ISBN: 978-0857630445 (paperback)

Suggested age range: preschool-primary

Synopsis: In this modern version our friend the bear wanders into a big city and struggles to find some good porridge and a comfy bed with hilarious consequences.

Why we love it: The illustrations have a lovely collage quality, the pages are really busy with lots of things to talk about and some little extras not mentioned in the story. It's funnier if you know the original story, so we'd recommend you tell your little one both.

Illustrative style: quirky, modern, funny. The author also had fun playing with handdrawn type which looks great!

Available from Waterstones.

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: 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.