Dive, Dive into the Night Sea
By Thea Lu, Walker Studio
This narrative non-fiction book is beautifully illustrated and designed. The greyscale illustrations shot through with torchlight and bioluminescent colour are full of atmosphere. We enter an eerie yet magical silent world, where manta rays swoop overhead and sperm whales drift vertically near the surface as they sleep. Flaps on each page lift to reveal more secrets of the sea at night. The story can be enjoyed by younger children, following the narrative text, while older children will be fascinated by the hidden information.
Billie’s Buzz
By Alison Brown, Farshore
Billie the bee desperately wants to be in a pet show so she can show everyone her talents. She finds a boy looking for a pet, and together they brush up their skills ready for the contest. But when the day arrives, the boy advises Billie not to buzz and to keep her true identity on the down-low: some people are just funny about bees. The show doesn’t quite go to plan, but the boy helps people to see Billie’s real talents. This is a delightful story about being yourself and a playful reminder of everything bees do for the planet.
Giraffe Island
By Sofia Chanfreau, illustrated by Amanda Chanfreau, translated by Julia Marshall, Gecko Press
This wonderfully imaginative middle-grade novel is full of love and pathos. Vega lives with her father and has little memory of her long-lost mother. Her world is populated by animals no one else can see. Life takes a frosty turn for Vega when her father begins a new relationship with Viola, who appears to Vega as an ice queen, threatening to freeze her father’s heart. When Vega begins a friendship with pen pal Janna who lives in the circus with her two mums, various clues emerge as to Vega’s mother’s whereabouts. Vega begins to think the circus might hold the key to finding her mother and saving her father. Chanfreau’s writing is so colourful and original, and there is great mystery at the centre of the novel. I love the wonder of the circus, and the elements of magical realism create a fantastically exciting story world.
The Wild Beastie
By Helen Kellock, Walker Books
The watercolour illustrations in this book are glorious. Inspired by the authorillustrator’s visit to the Isle of Skye, they capture the beautiful colour and light of that area of Scotland. Bumple is a “wild beastie” (I love that phrase) from the Isle of Begg, though she’s a little nervous to stray too far across the island. She meets Little Mop, who is far more gung ho, and before they know it, they are a long way from home, gazing out over the sparkling sea. This is a lovely, gentle story of stepping outside your comfort zone with a friend at your side, and the joy to be found in the wild. As Bumple comes to realise, we’re sometimes capable of more than we think, and that’s always nice to remember.
Mama Car
By Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George, Faber
This is the most gorgeous story of how a small child relates to their mother’s wheelchair. Aboard the Mama Car on Mummy’s lap, they go on domestic adventures – removing toy obstacles with the reaching tool “crocodile” as they go: “SNAP”. The Mama Car is such a big part of the child’s world; it’s a home to them. They decorate the wheels and find comfort in it when they fall. The story is inspired by the author’s own children. Catchpole writes in an author’s note, “My chair is precious to them because it is so very close to me.” Mama Car exudes warmth and love and cosiness, which the child feels for the wheelchair, and, of course, for their mummy who uses it.
The Bison and the Butterfly
By Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff, Ivy Kids
In her ancient woodland home, Bison feels down and is looking for a friend. What she doesn’t realise is that her fellow forest creatures already think fondly of her: Woodpecker, who eats the larvae of insects attracted to the deadwood Bison creates by stripping bark; Dung Beetle, who lays her eggs in Bison’s dung; and Lizard who likes to sunbathe in patches of bare earth left by Bison’s dust baths. Buoyed up by her encounters with these animals, Bison makes friends with a butterfly she meets. It’s interesting to learn of Bison’s positive impact on the forest environment. The book has been produced in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust, inspired by its Wilder Blean Bison Project, which introduced bison to the ancient Blean woodland in 2022. Once a thriving ecosystem, the forest had become dark and bare due to poor management and the absence of keystone species. It is wonderful to hear of the restoration already visible.
The Midnight Panther
By Poonam Mistry, Templar Books
This fable-like story follows a little panther who feels small and afraid as he ventures into the jungle. He tries to become more like the other cats: Tiger, who is bold and fearless; Lion, whose golden mane blazes; and Leopard, who has spots that dazzle. But his efforts to replicate their glory fall short. As night-time arrives, with encouragement from Moon, Panther finally sees his own gifts, and his velvet coat sparkles and shimmers like the stars. This is a meaningful tale about recognising your own strength and beauty. Poonam Mistry’s illustrations draw on her Indian roots. She explores the relationships between pattern, shape and colour in this stunning picture book for young children.
Move, Mr Mountain!
By Francesca Sanna, Templar Books
When Lily shouts at Mr Mountain to move out of the way, he’s horrified. In all his long life, resting in the same spot, no one has ever dared ask him such a thing. He inflicts his temper on Lily’s village, first with rain, then with wind, then with snow. But Lily is persistent, and Mr Mountain finally concedes and places her atop his peak. Lily takes in the wonder of the world, and together they dream of visiting far-off places. With her eyes opened, perhaps Lily can turn those dreams into reality. I love Lily’s determination in this story, and the way her unexpected friendship with Mr Mountain helps them both to see the world in a whole new way. The story reminds us of all the wonderful things life holds for us to discover.
____
Reviews by Alice Ellerby
Published in issue 91. Accurate at the time this issue went to print.
