Ever year, the autumn publishing calendar is awash with Christmas-themed books for children and amongst the many titles available, there are always a few very special gems. One of them this year is Richard Jones’ ‘Tis the Season, published by Nosy Crow as part of their National Trust collection. Beautifully produced with luxurious foil cover …
You know me, I am VERY partial to a good picturebook. Here is a selection of beautiful picturebooks to suit all ages. Olivier Tallec is one of my favourite French illustrators, ever since I came across his excellent Rita et Machin series (Rita and Whatsit) and his brand new title Who Done It? (Chronicle Books), …
There are so many wonderful Christmas themed books available at this time of year but I do think Christmas is also a great time to introduce children with some classic tales. Here are a few, all re-imagined visually, which you might want to consider. A story full of dogs and illustrator Alex T. Smith were …
It is always a joy to hear about a new children’s bookshop opening and watching, from afar, all the exciting things they are doing around children’s books. This March, The Alligator’s Mouth opened in Richmond, and is owned by Tony and Margaret, both former booksellers at The Lion and the Unicorn, which closed a couple of …
Every Autumn comes a new wave of Christmas picturebooks, from reissued classic to all singing and dancing novelty books. Here is a small selection of some that have caught my eye. Similarly to Refuge and Mog’s Christmas Calamity (see my review here), there is something quite special about the message conveyed in The Christmas Eve Tree by …
Christmas is a time of many contradictions, a time when while people preach love and charity, they also embrace excess in many forms, and this is something I personally find hard to reconcile. Gift shopping can also be a trying time, which often leaves me frustrated, a bit angry with the meaningless of it all and not at all in …
Shamelessly pink and glittery , My True Love Gave To Me (Macmillan Children’s Books) is a collection of twelve winter romances aimed at teen readers. Edited by Stephanie Perkins (of Anna and the French Kiss fame), it includes short stories by bestselling authors such as herself but also David leviathan, Rainbow Rowell and Holly Black …
Katie’s London Christmas James Mayhew (Orchard Books) If you are after a picture book that captures the magic of Christmas perfectly, look no further than the beautiful Katie’s London Christmas. When Katie and Jack are woken up by a loud ATCHOO late on Christmas Eve, they are given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel through …
So many wonderful books are available at this time of year. It is a near impossible task to make a choice. Here are a few nonetheless, with part 2 coming in a few days’ time. My Little Library by Edouard Manceau (Twirl) is a gorgeous and intriguing little box (with clever magnetic closure) with nine …
