I was fortunate, a little while ago, to win the entire short list to this year’s Kate greenaway and Carnegie medals (I think that’s the right set of awards) from Mumsnet bookclub on twitter which meant we got a fabulous set of parcels with 8 picture books and 8 chapter books, including a signed copy of Black Dog, one of the two medal winners.
So oddly enough, we’ve been reading picture books this week.
Oh no George by Chris Haughton reminds me of Joyce Grenfell (If you don’t know George, Don’t do that you really should.) It’s lovely and simple, a story of a dog and temptation, and amazes me how much expression can come across in such simple drawings of eyes. And I don’t blame George on the cake one little bit, I hope the chocolate didn’t make him ill! Tigerboy enjoys this one – he loves animals, particularly cats, and he waits for the page with the cat ever so patiently so that he can miaow at it 🙂
I want my hat, a book about a bear who has lost his hat is also marvellously simple, and I enjoy the use of colour in the text. The repetition allows Smallest to join in, and she does, although I think some of the humour goes over her head a little. And again, the eyes are absolutely wonderful. The dialogue reminds me a lot of my children, although I don’t think any of them has ever eaten a rabbit that they shouldn’t have 😉 It’s entirely possible that they may have worn someone else’s hat though.
Just Ducks is another popular one here; Smallest is a big fan of birds. She enjoys both the story and the factual aspects and it’s quite nicely done, weaving the two strands together. You could read just one or the other, although I am usually required to read all words on every page. I do have one bugbear though and that is that it seems to imply it’s alright to give ducks bread. I’d understood that that was wrong as it makes them feel full when it’s not very nutritious for them. Something I need to clarify, and will be doing.
And finally, King Jack and the dragon. I like this book very much for itself. Love the rhyming language and the clever images of the four footed beast. And the children like it lots too, particularly getting the chance to roar at fearsome creatures. It’s the one that Small picks up if he’s going to read to his brother, or that Tigerboy fetches if he’s asked for a book to read. And I don’t think any of them notice that it’s multi racial, and isn’t that the way it should be? That all children are represented, and none are pigeonholed, or stereotyped, wedged into roles that don’t fit them, or corralled by society’s expectations?
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What have you all been reading this week? Stick a post in the linky if you’ve something to share, and feel free to use the button if you’d like to.
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