Last year I wrote a wish list featuring some of the books that we would like to add to our collection. I know we are very lucky to get...

Our Picture Book Wish List

Monday, December 17, 2018 BookBairn 2 Comments


Last year I wrote a wish list featuring some of the books that we would like to add to our collection. I know we are very lucky to get sent lots of books by publishers, and to be able to request review copies but even with that there are always a few books that I'm left craving! I often browse the bookshop and take some photos to share as #bookshoptreasures sharing books that I would love to bring home with us but I couldn't justify buying at that moment in time; usually for one of three reasons: 1. my husband is shopping with us and has given me the glare; 2. I've already got a bundle of books that I am actually buying; 3. we don't have any shelf space at home! But nonetheless here are nine books that I'm wishing for (and Santa if you read blogs please consider this our Santa letter!): 

Fearless Mirabelle by Katie Haworth & Nila Aye


I read about this one on Acorn Books's blog and it just sounds so delightful! Mirabelle and Meg Moffat are twins and their mum and dad are famous acrobats. Mirabelle is fearless. She promises to be the most topsy-turvy, upside down acrobat of all. Meg does not. In fact, Meg is afraid of heights. Is Mirabelle afraid of anything? And what will Meg do in the show? I love the sound of this story and the illustrations and bright design look like a joy! I can't wait to read this one!

Mixed by Arree Chung



After I saw this in our local bookshop I knew that it would be a perfect addition to our bookshelf. BookBairn loves books like The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers and Crayon by Simon Rickerty where characters are represented by colours and concepts of friendship and cooperative are explored, so I know she is just going to love this. In Mixed, The Blues, Reds and Yellows lived in harmony. Reds were the loudest, Yellows the brightest and Blues were the coolest. However when one of the colours proclaims they are the best, discord breaks out and eventually the colours decide to live in different parts of the city. Then one day a Yellow befriends a Blue and they become inseparable, discovering a world of different possibilities and colours. Doesn't it just sound delightful?!


On last year's list I had The Secret Garden by Mandy Archer and Jane Newland and when we got a copy BookBairn absolutely loved it! It became one of our absolute favourites last year and even inspired BookBairn and her Papa to plant some seeds and bulbs in the garden. I don't think that Alice in Wonderland needs much explaining but these new Storybooks are a great way for preschoolers to meet some famous literary characters at a level they can understand! Easy-to-follow, engaging text combined with original quotes and beautiful artwork create a book to be treasured through childhood and beyond. 


This book was on our list last year and I still haven't got a copy! This is one of the biggest books I have seen in the bookshop. And I have flicked through it's pages and can definitely say that the striking graphic style of the illustrations in this book are stunning! The retro style and bold typography absolutely has me keen to add this to our bookshelf (although it's too big to fit on the shelf so it will need to have a special home!). I will get a copy of this gorgeous book!


I have seen so many people raving about this in the world of Bookstagram and it even received a Bookstagram Choice Award and that makes me really really want a copy of this beautiful book! Starring a brother and sister who go to the zoo, see kangaroos and baboons, and get to bring home balloons! Told entirely in words that contain a double o, this playful story is a great choice for emerging readers. It appeals greatly to my teacher-nature as well as my desire for beautiful books!

The Case of the Red Bottomed Robber by Richard Byrne


As I said before we love some of the crayon-character stories and this one looks like so much fun! The young chalks are busy at the chalkboard but someone keeps stealing their drawings . . .Mrs Red calls Sergeant Blue to investigate but when the culprit is caught, he absconds in a cloud of chalk dust. The chalks find another way to lure the suspect into their hands and it is only then that they discover they've misjudged the poor chalk rubber all along... With a stunning graphic look on a chalkboard-black background, this is a fun story where readers truly participate in the investigation: looking for the clues, assessing the line-up of suspects, and closing in on the culprit. Doesn't that sound like so much fun?

An Anty-War Story by Tony Ross


I saw this shared on KidLit TV a while back and then I saw it in the bookshop. It looks like a very powerful and moving book (but probably not suitable for young readers like my two - which is why it's on our wish list rather than on our shelf!). The only ant with his own name, Douglas is born into the wonderful Antworld and dreams of one day joining the line to hunt out food. But his superiors have other plans for him: Douglas is to be a soldier. They tell him his job is all about parading, waving flags and wearing a uniform, but Douglas is about to discover that there is no glory in war. A very humbling story indeed.


We love the Press Here series of books by Herve Tullet and BookBairn adores interactive books so I just know this will be a hit! There are lots of ways little hands can make music. Each page of this interactive book invites readers to strum the guitar, slide the trombone, crash the cymbals, and more--no instruments required! With a delightful rhyming text and engaging illustrations, this book is full of instruments waiting to share their sounds. The only thing this band needs is YOU! Just use your imagination, turn the pages, and Play This Book! And our shelves need this book!


I love the look of this book so much and the message behind it sounds like the sort of thing that I just want to share with BookBairn. Inspired by the 5 million people (many of them children) in 82 countries who participated in the 2017 Women's March, Andrew Joyner has given us a book that celebrates girls and women and equal rights for all! It is a clever story that follows the journey of a pink hat that is swiped out of a knitting basket by a pesky kitten, blown into a tree by a strong wind, and used as a cozy blanket for a new baby, then finally makes its way onto the head of a young girl marching for women's equality. With themes of empathy, equality, and solidarity, The Pink Hat is a timeless and timely story that will empower readers and promote strength in the diverse and active feminist community. And it is out in paperback mid-next year!

So there you have it! Nine books that I want to add to our shelves in 2019! Maybe you might want to add them too?! What do you do when you spot a book that you want but can't buy at that moment? I keep an Amazon wish list so that I can check the prices every so often and if they go into a sale or discount then I can grab them quickly!

Happy book-browsing!
Kim

Disclaimer: these are all my choices. Some were sent from publishers but they were not sent in connection with this post. Their inclusion here is my choice. Because I really do think they are great. Please read our review policy if you want to know more. If you click on the title or image of the book you will be sent to Amazon.co.uk using an affiliate link. This means that if you choose to purchase on Amazon.co.uk, I will receive a small sum (around 20-90p per book) from amazon at no extra cost to you. I understand that you may not want to use an affiliate link, but if you like reading our blog please just think of it as a small tip for a tip-off to an awesome book. And know that your support means I can buy more books! For more information check out our 'For Our Readers' section.

        

2 comments:

  1. Good luck with your wish list. Have you been good? Maybe Santa will come up trumps. PS - is the bookshop “glare” similar to the one G’Ma BookBairn gets in the cushion shop? :-)

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    1. Yes it's the exact same look but I think there's a touch less humour in it!

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