As mentioned in yesterday’s post, I have recently discovered Hannah Cuuming’s work. I am delighted to welcome her to Library Mice today to talk about her five favourite picture books.
Check out Hannah’s website here .
I adore Raymond Briggs. His books are just perfectly observed, beautifully rendered, funny and timeless. I used to read this in bed every Christmas Eve night, it was a little tradition of mine. Nothing encapsulates Christmas magic more. I loved the detail in the cross sections of all the houses, seeing people asleep with their stockings hanging up inside, and then the pictures of Father Christmas flying over London (stopping for a tea break on a roof), the countryside and sea are so beautifully done. When finished with his annual work, Father Christmas goes back home and we see his typical, comforting, same as everyone else’s (minus the reindeer) home routine. I love that he’s just a grumpy old man as well!
Another one from my childhood. This is a very literal story about colour, and it works so well! I love Arnold Lobel’s illustrations, they are so detailed and imaginative, each page is packed and atmospheric, quite like some of Maurice Sendak’s work. This was a great introduction to the idea of colour for me, making it, using it, and how it affects moods. It paints a funny picture of crowd mentality too, and the idea that one person thinking differently, determined to make things better, can do so. It’s very funny and has a satisfying ending, too, when the Magician finally figures out what he should do. A real classic that every one should look up!
Moon Man
Tomi Ungerer
This is one I only discovered in recent years, but it’s a firm classic. Aside from the bold, colourful, lively illustrations (I wish I could illustrate so bravely), it’s a great example of a book that can ‘say something’ and appeal to all ages without being overly moralistic or manipulative. It’s a hard thing to convey satire or other messages in a book without overdoing it or detracting from the story and fun, and Moon Man is an example of it being done right. There are so many ideas you can gently introduce children to, and have a chuckle and open your eyes to them more yourself, through picture books. I love the subtle ribbing it gives narrow minded adults, the spin on the man in the moon idea, and the comforting ‘there’s no place like home’ theme. It’s made me discover the rest of Tomi Ungerer’s work too which is definitely no bad thing!
The Little Flower King was originally published in the 80’s but still looks very fresh and modern. It’s the best kind of bonkers, using bold and bright (but limited) colours and collage, it plays with scale, and has very expressive, childlike drawings. Kveta Pacovska has a very brave, strong sense of design, and this is definitely arty enough to appeal to adults too. It’s a very good example of innovative, European style, and really opened my eyes to big, brave illustrating. What makes her illustrations stand out even more is that they are accompanying quite an old fashioned story. When the Little Flower King has filled his kingdom with his beloved tulips, he realises he still isn’t satisfied, and sets out to find a princess. He searches everywhere, but eventually finds her right back where he started from…
Thank you Hannah for a great selection. I really like the look of The Little Flower King (I really like Kveta Pacovska’s work), but unfortunately it is out of print.