Picture Book Review - Grandad's Island - Benji Davies (Author & Illustrator)

Picture Book Review - Grandad's Island - Benji Davies (Author & Illustrator)

Excuse me a minute while I just wipe away the tears that I don't seem to be able to stop flowing. Justtttt a minute.

Ahem.

Right, on we go.

Grandad's Island is the award-winning story of a boy and his Grandad, who set sail for a tropical island together, and frankly I've forgotten what happens when they get there because dear God, all you'll remember is the ending. What an incredibly powerful, emotional end, and delicate way of introducing children to the idea that the ones we love won't always be around, but that we'll always cherish the memories.

It's not hard to see why this won the Sainsbury's Childrens Book Award; it's expertly hides itself as just another story, until the point where the adults reading this will get that awful gut-wrenching feeling as you suddenly realise where the story is heading. It's so subtle and sensitively done that you could read this over and over again to your kids without ever actually having to confront the notion of death, instead replacing it just with Grandad going to live on the island and that being a long distance etc., until you're ready to use it as a tool to talk about the loss of a loved one.

I couldn't read this at storytime, or I'd be in tears too much, but I would give this to every parent with a quiet warning about what the content involves. It's beautiful to look at, both heart-breaking and heart-warming to read, and even after just a couple of reads it's a sure-fire Picture Book Hall of Fame contender.

Just beautiful.

5/5 and an entry into the Picture Book Hall of Fame

Picture Book Review – Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs – Mo Willems

Picture Book Review – Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs – Mo Willems

Suitable for Toddlers/Younger Readers

I’m having trouble thinking of how to start off this review. Perhaps the easiest way is to say I can’t imagine how anything will top this in 2014. It’s my favourite book that Mo Willems has ever written, and that’s saying something. I always laugh during his works, but this tops all of them. The randomness of half the text, the absurdity of it all, and taking a well known tale like Goldilocks and turning it on its head in such a funny way is fantastic.

‘Once upon a time, there were three Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur and some other Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.’ And so begins the unorthodox tale of how Goldilocks stumbled upon the home of some dinosaurs, not bears. I don’t think I’ll ever come across a better opening sentence. I wish I could write down all the sentences, because every single one is a joy, but that would spoil the fun of reading it.

I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed all the way through. I’m not sure if I can actually read this at a storytime as I think I’ll be laughing too much to myself all the way through. The self-referential humour, acknowledging the dinosaurs plans whilst pretending they’re going for an innocent walk, and the way the ‘wind’ sounds eerily like dinosaurs plotting, or rock’s falling, or a squirrel…I can’t do it enough justice. It’s up there with some of the greatest comedy writing in any medium, anywhere, ever. People should be quoting this as much as they quote Anchorman.

The illustrations are as delightful as ever, with Mo Willems’ easily recognisable style complimenting the cartoon feel of the story as well as they ever do. It’s all hilarious from start to finish. I’m flicking back and forth through the pages as I’m writing this, and I’m laughing again and again. Honestly, this is better than 99% of comedy shows out there at the moment. Whoever thinks that picture books are just for children is missing out.

An easy entry into the World of Children’s Books Hall of Fame. I honestly feel that if you don’t read this, you’re missing out on one of the funniest things you could ever read in life. Make sure you do.

10/10 and an entry into the Picture Book Hall of Fame

Picture Book Review – The Day the Crayons Quit – Drew Daywalt (Author) & Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)

Picture Book Review – The Day the Crayons Quit – Drew Daywalt (Author) & Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)

Recommended for Toddlers/Younger Readers

Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlisted Item

I remember reading This is a Book, and thinking just how clever the concept of it was. I have similar feelings about The Day the Crayons Quit. It’s such a simple, clever idea, and delivered absolutely brilliant, that I would be delighted if it won the Kate Greenaway Medal this year.

Its story is a simple one: one day, Duncan takes out his crayons, and finds a set of letters written by each colour addressed to him. Each of them details a complaint about how Duncan misuses them, such as Red Crayon being overused, or Beige Crayon tired of being second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Each complaint is recognisable in reality (I bet your child always chooses brown over beige), and there’s some wonderfully silly ones, particularly the complaint about the paper wrapping being peeled off. All of them are perfectly done, and a joy to read. It’s a shame there aren’t more crayon colours!

The illustrations are typical Oliver Jeffers, which is to say they’re fantastic. He’s got such an easily recognisable style, and it’s one of my favourites. I’m never sure how much the Kate Greenaway Medal is judged solely on the illustrations or whether the script comes into play, but if anyone deserved to win based on drawings alone then it’s Oliver Jeffers. His style just fits so well with the feel of a children’s book, it seems unfair for him not to win year in, year out.

I’m trying to read through all the Kate Greenaway nominees this year, but at the moment I’m not sure how any of them are going to be able to beat The Day the Crayons Quit.

10/10 and an entry into the picture book Hall of Fame.