A Little Bookshelf

Hodder Children's Books, London, 2014

Hardback, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4449-2441-1

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ***

Numbers and maths are just as important for young children as letters and language.  There are lots of ABC books already out there so it's great to see this fantastic 123.  Paul Thurby is a full time illustrator based in London and with this book he was trying to make numbers fun.  I think he succeeded!  The illustrations have a vintage vibe with some great pop culture references that parents will love - the number four is represented by the Fab Four.  So go ahead and get counting!

QED Publishing, London, 2014

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7817-1683-0

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Learning to read is a big event in a little person's life and there are lots of ABC books and first readers out there.  I am a huge fan of this one with its beautiful illustrations of wildlife from around the world.

Kids Can Press, Ontario, 2013

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-554-5378-15

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This book is about Martin who lives on a street where nothing changes. That is until the astonishing Mr Flux moves into the street. Mr Flux is an artist who doesn't paint pictures or create sculptures and yet he creates art and celebrates change.

A wonderful story about the inevitability and wonder of change. Everything changes, a dewdrop, a bubble, a cloud. Even Martin and his street change under the influence of Mr Flux. Mr Flux is based on the founder of the 60s Fluxus movement, George Maciunas.

Putnam Publishing Group, US, 2006

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6984-0036-8

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Robert Ingpen is a supremely talented Australian illustrator.  The Dreamkeeper is a tale he has written especially for his granddaughter, Alice Elisabeth.  Luckily for those of us without artistic grandfathers, the story has been published for everyone to read!

Nobody has seen the Dreamkeeper but we do know that he wears old fashioned clothes hung with charms and lures for catching mischievous creatures that have escaped from The Great Dreamtree.  Once he captures the creatures, he returns them to the tree so they can't do any harm in the space between what is really happening and what you imagine might happen.  Gorgeous!

Barefoot Books, Bath, 2000

Harback, 36 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8414-8300-9

Suggested reading age: 10+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

"A person's life is just a moment in infinity." Leonardo da Vinci

I really like the illustrations in this book about the life of Leonardo da Vinci.  They are in a more abstract style, reminiscent of paintings from the period.  The story itself is told from the perspective of his apprentice, Giacomo.  His master had this to say about the young Giacomo "1490. Giacomo has come to live with me.  He is ten years old.  He is a liar, a thief and a greedy brute."  The book skilfully weaves quotes from Da Vinici's journals into the story.

At the beginning and end of the book are two double page spreads that describe the work of Da Vinci, using pages from his journals.  A great book to introduce readers to the work of this influential thinker.

Templar Publishing, Surrey, 2015

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7837-0169-8

Suggested reading age: 2+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Your toddler will love trying to find all the animal and insect pairs in this gorgeous hardcover. The text rhymes and flows beautifully and is accompanied by delightful illustrations. A wonderful addition to any collection.

Walker Books, London, 2005

Hardcover, 32 pages

978-1-8442-8296-8

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

I can vividly remember trying to draw as a kid and getting frustrated because my drawings didn't look "right."  In Ish, Peter H Reynolds has captured that feeling perfectly.

Ish is a story about Ramon.  Ramon loved to draw anywhere and everywhere.  Until the day his older brother Leon sneers at his drawing and asks, "What's that?"  It takes his little sister Marisol to help him see that he has his own, ish style of drawing.  This book is great for all budding artists, big and small.