Grubbee Baby Gifts and Books

A super talented friend of mine runs her own business, Grubbee, selling hand sewn bed linen and baby-related products, such as bibs and blankets. She has a great eye for trendy fabrics and can do custom orders as she makes everything herself.

I often find myself stalking her Instagram page reminiscing about the baby years. Her photos are so well styled I forget about the sleep deprivation and only remember the angelic sleeping moments.

I thought it would be fun to suggest some books that are good aesthetic matches for some of the delightful Grubbee items. Then at the end I’ll give a few of my very favourite books to gift to a family with a new baby.

Spring Fling

Grubbee’s newest collection is called Spring Fling. It has a soft pastel colour palette with gingham and floral designs that are probably more traditionally suited to a girl. It is a gentle collection and my book suggestions match that vibe.

My first recommendation is Coco and the Butterfly, by Laura Bunting and Nicky Johnston. Coco is a cat who has moved to the countryside and is trying to fit in among the wide open spaces of her new environment. It has a lovely lilac cover with flowers, butterflies and bees and feels very springtime.

I also think The Fairy Dancers, by Natalie Jane Prior and Cheryl Orsini has a similar pastel-floral aesthetic and is suited to a girly-girl.

Australiana Theme

I really adore Grubbee’s Australiana themed products, the neutral-native vibe makes them both versatile and trendy. Below I’ve suggested some pairings for different designs that match well to some books from great Australian illustrators.

Julie Vivas

These protea, gum leaf and kangaroo patterns have a very soft, wispy watercolour style, just like Julie Vivas’ illustrations. Julie Vivas might not be a household name, but many of the books she illustrated are now classics, starting with Possum Magic. Other books by Julie Vivas include Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partidge, and I Went Walking.

Anna Walker

This next collection featuring eucalyptus foliage is a great neutral option for families. Botanical designs are very on trend, and these fabrics are divine. A great match would be Anna Walker’s books, particularly Florette, which has the most amazing greenery.

Sarah Allen

This next set have a bit more colour and remind me of Sarah Allen’s palette in her books Busy Beaks and Jumping Joeys. While Sarah’s artwork usually has animals and birds as the main focus, pay attention to her plant-life, because it is equally as spectacular.

May Gibbs

The final set features the quintessential Australian childhood images of May Gibbs’ gumnut babies. There are plenty of versions and re-makes of her books available including Gumnut Babies ABC, Gumnut Babies Colours, Gumnut Babies Opposites, and a soon to be released 4-book collection.

Christmas

A few of Grubbee’s Christmas designs are also very Australian and in all honesty, there is a lack of really good quality Australian Christmas books for children. I think it’s because it’s just too hot to wear a Santa Hat and gumtrees aren’t the stereotypical Christmas tree. My all time favourite Australian Christmas book is Christmas Wonder, by Vikki Conley and Cheryl Orsini. It is no longer easily available, but you could try here. My second favourite is What Do You Wish For?, by the wonderful creative team, Jane Godwin and Anna Walker. It’s not explicitly Aussie, but there’s no snow and all the kids are in shorts and T-shirts.

4 Books for a New Baby

If you are gifting Grubbee products to a family with a new baby or at a baby shower, you might also like to think about gifting a book that enhances a growing family library and will be used again and again. I’ve put together a list and have avoided recommending the very popular or classic books that will be easily accessible at a library, such as books from Julia Donaldson, Dr. Suess, Eric Carle, Pamela Allen or other prolific creators. Each of the books below are excellent for a family with a new addition. Some are for the baby, some are for the parents, but all of these will bring joy and inspiration for years to come.

1. All The Ways to Be Smart, by Davina Bell and Alison Colpoys – One of my all time favourite kids books, this rhyming ode bolsters every readers self-esteem. Readers are gently walked through all the ways people can demonstrate intelligence such as taking chances, saying sorry, noticing emotions and being creative. All families need to have this in their home library,
2. Baby Race, Bluey – Based on the Bluey episode of the same name, one of my very clever sisters bought this book for our youngest brother and his wife when they were expecting their first addition. Surely there aren’t many mothers who have watched this episode of Bluey and not cried when Coco’s Mum tells Chilli she’s doing a great job. It is pure genius to put this message to mothers in a form kids will want read again and again.
3. Busy Builders, Busy Week, by Jean Reidy and Leo Timmers – I adore Leo Timmers’ vibrantly colourful, strikingly detailed illustrations and would recommend any of his books for a home library. This board book is a great one for real littlies as it has rhyming text, anthropomorphic animals, and a surprise at the end.
4. This Is Not a Book, by Jean Jullien – another board book, I love to gift this to for a first baby because it is more of a toy than a book. With no text, each page is a prompt for the imagination, sometimes it’s a computer, sometimes a fridge, sometimes a piano. As a child grows, they will be able to expand the ways they use this very unique ‘book’. (Also there is a sequel)