6 More Great Picture Books

The NEW Small Person, by Lauren Child – After reading aloud the entire Clarice Bean series the kids are very familiar with Lauren Child’s distinctive artistic style and spot her books easily in the library. While The NEW Small Person is not a new book, it was new to us and we really enjoyed it. Elmore is quite content being an only child, he gets to do everything just the way he wants to, he doesn’t have to share and things stay where he puts them.

But like all eldest children, he is uncertain and unhappy about the new small person that comes to live in his house. Suddenly there is someone else in his space, touching his things and talking to him.

While the concept of the story is actually very unoriginal, Lauren Child is so masterful at writing and illustrating that you won’t even notice. She writes genuine characters that are completely relatable for young children. All children will understand Elmore’s struggles to share and be kind to his younger sibling.

Wombat, by Philip Bunting – Philip Bunting must be one of the most hardworking creators in the Australian children’s book industry. It seems he is releasing new books all the time. For those who loved the hilarious Mopoke, you definitely want to check out Wombat. The concept is similar, with each page putting a different spin on the wombat, though this one has a very simple plot as well.

Though the book is very simple, everyone in our family was laughing out loud, some were laughing at the book and others (the parents) were laughing at the kids laughing hysterically at the book.

Aesop’s Fables, retold by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Marla Altes – I wouldn’t say we have read a lot of fables and fairy tales. I know there are some families that collect and read as many different published versions as they can. We’re more of a dip-into-the-pond-type family. But with our youngest now capable of sitting through lengthier stories this book worked really well for us.

Each re-telling of a fable was done in excellently rhyming verse, which is always a great way to create interest and engagement with the story. The illustrations were also wonderful. The colours were vibrant without being garish and the depictions were comical which balanced out the serious messages that the stories try to teach.

This is a really great option for those wanting to take a step beyond picture books, but before chapter books.

The Hugasaurus, by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton – We are huge fans of Rachel Bright’s work. We loved The Worrysaurus, and this is the next book in what I assume will become a series.

Rachel Bright is an expert at telling stories that are filled with heart and truth, all in rhyme. Chris Chatterton’s soft illustrations are a wonderful match to the text, they help the story progress, give us more information about the characters and help young readers focus. Perfect for 3-6-year-olds, this is a must-read and a really sweet gift option.

Free-Range Freddy, by Rachel Bright and Izzy Evans – Like I just said, we adore Rachel Bright’s books. This one is about a much anticipate chick who hatches and is immediately very different from what everyone expects. Freddy is colourful, energetic, and a little bit naughty. But will the others look past their expectations to see the wonderful joy being an individual can bring?

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown – Again this is not a new book, we’ve read it before, but I do try and re-borrow books we’ve had before for nostalgic reasons, as well as to benefit Toby who probably doesn’t remember them. I personally just love Peter Brown’s style (evidenced by the fact that we have a print of his in a prime location in our living area); the colours, shapes, and vibe of his work are calming, classic and just genius.

Where Mr. Tiger lives, everyone behaves properly and dresses very formally, (I get a great opportunity to do my stuffy British accent when we read this one.) but he feels like something just isn’t right. Walking upright feels wrong and he isn’t comfortable in this suit and top hat. He begins to find ways to feel more true to himself and to find a place where others won’t tell him how he should be. Luckily for him, the place he should be is not too far away.