Monthly Archives: December 2011

Books I want

An indulgent post (like all the rest), but here are some picture books which I am just waiting for an excuse to buy, having just missed the perfect opportunity – Christmas

Haunted House by Jan Pienkowski – annoyed with myself that I didn’t get this for Halloween. This was the first pop up book I remember reading, it’s wasn’t part of the general library collection but you had to request it from the librarian who stored to behind her desk. I thought it was fantastic & was always fascinated at how much can be achieved with just paper in creating such engagement & wonder. While I have come across some really innovative pop up books recently there is a nostalgia for this classic I can’t shake.

Follow the Line by Laura Ljungkvist – I got distracted one day by the Tate museum bookshop online & fell in love with this title. Recently I had the opportunity to flick through the pages & was happy that it lived up to expectation. I can see it opening up so much discussion & opportunities for imagination.

The High Street by Alice Melvin – as shopping is one of my favourite pastime this seems the perfect book to share that experience with. The illustrations have a vintage feel & beautiful colour palette that I find really appealing

The Happy LittleYellow Box by David Carter – this is such a simple idea but so well executed. I worry it might be lost on a small child whereas I know I would give it justice.The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm published by Taschen – I adore fairy tales & this stunning edition has such a variety of illustration, the perfect combination for me!

Maisy’s Christmas

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As its December we have lots of Christmas books in the house & Freya has taken a real shine to Merry Christmas Maisy. It is a lift the flap book following Maisy in the run up to Christmas wrapping presents, decorating the tree etc. Maisy has always beens a favourite of Bryns & Freya seems to be following in his footsteps, I think the charm lies in simplistic naive looking illustrations.

It’s a real delight to see how interested Freya is in peering behind the flaps, smacking her lips when opening the oven door, drawing the curtains, finding the robin and when all else fails trying to eat the pages.

This is a great Christmas book with simple interactions, bold illustrations & a bit of sparkle.

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