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Once again, Early Childhood Australia has compiled its list of this year's best picture books for young children.
The books were selected by ECA Publications Committee member, Jenni Connor. Jenni is a widely respected teacher, principal, curriculum manager and author.
Top 12 picture books for 2008
It has been an excellent year for Australian picture books for young children. A number of the titles below focus on 'young creatures' in the context of a caring family. As children move into the preschool period, books listed later in this selection engage children with stronger story-lines, humour and action. In interaction with trusted adults, stories with more serious themes can be shared.
Babies and toddlers (up to three years)
I'm still awake, still!
Elizabeth Honey & Sue Johnson
The theme of the baby who can't/won't go to sleep recurs throughout this year's book collection. This quietly multicultural story explores how Fiddy needs Nonno's deep voice singing about the dark, dark night sky with its twinkling stars to lull him, finally, into dreamland. The story and original songs are on the CD accompanying the book.
I'm still awake, still! (2008) is available from Allen & Unwin.
Sleep tight, my honey
Lisa Shanahan & Wayne Harris
In this story, the 'baby' is a bunny that just won't sleep at night, despite the best efforts of his mum Lily and dad Monty, Grandma, Tortoise, Possum, Butterfly and Bat. With motherly wisdom Lily realises what little Alice needs – her own 'bunny rug'!
Sleep tight, my honey (2008) is available from Lothian.
Baby bird's blankie
Margaret Wild & Gwyn Perkins
A gentle 'anthropomorphic' tale about a baby bird, who, just like a human baby, loves tossing his comfort rug out of the nest so that Mum, Dad and Granny have to go and fetch it. Soft wash illustrations, delightful use of language and the familiarity of this game make this book very appealing.
Baby bird's blankie (2008) is available from Working Title Press.
Cheeky monkey
Andrew Daddo & Emma Quay
The terms that families use to talk with their much-loved but exasperating young – funny bunny, sweet pea, chubby chops – helps us relate to this ordinary household trying to get organised for the day with a bouncing baby who'd rather play games than get ready.
Cheeky monkey (2008) is available from ABC Books.
Babies to preschoolers (three–six years)
Puffling
Margaret Wild & Julie Vivas
This magical collaboration between an exceptional author and illustrator results in a tender and heart-warming saga of a puffin family's support for the young chick's growth towards independence.
Puffling (2008) is available from Omnibus.
The littlest dinosaur
Michael Foreman
British illustrator Michael Foreman has produced over 170 books and twice won the coveted Kate Greenaway international award for artistic excellence. His evocative watercolours draw young readers and listeners into the emotional lives of the dinosaur mama and the littlest baby who saves the day and becomes everybody's hero.
The littlest dinosaur (2008) is available from Bloomsbury Books.
Toddlers to school-age (four–eight years)
Paraphernalia's present
Diana Lawrenson & Dee Huxley
Another 'egg-hatching' story, this time concerning the chook Paraphernalia and her human friend Dottie Devine. When Dottie doesn't appear for her morning breakfast 'goog', Paraphernalia broods and hatches seven darling little chicks. Then, with more eggs than she can possibly use, Dottie finds a way to make many new friends.
Paraphernalia's present (2008) is available from ABC Books.
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Cecily Matthews & Lorette Broekstra
It's the job of big, loud, strutting Basil the Rooster to wake the farmer and all the animals every morning; peaky, puny Leonard thinks he's too small to try. But, when Basil's bossy voice fails him one day, Leonard finds the courage to do his duty. From then on, it's Leonard's 'cock-a-doodle-doo' that gets everyone up and running each day.
Cock-a-doodle-doo! (2008) is available from Little Hare Books.
Fat Pat
Kilmeny Niland
Kilmeny Niland's simple line drawings effectively capture Pat, the happy pooch whose family's overindulgence renders him obese. Poor Pat, feeling rejected and lonely, takes to the streets of the big, bad world and finds that running for his life turns him into 'Perfect Pat'.
Fat Pat (2008) is available from ABC Books.
Preschoolers to school-age (five–eight years)
Collecting colour
Kylie Dunstan (with respect to the Fibre artists of the Injalak Arts community)
Two little girls – one white, one black – take part in a family day at the Top End of Australia. With the women, the girls collect and dye pandanus leaves for traditional weaving and catch and cook a glorious, big Barra for tea. This is a beautiful example of cross-cultural artistic collaboration and a message about what unites us, as well as that which makes us distinctive.
Collecting colour (2008) is available from Lothian.
Sunday Chutney
Aaron Blabey
Blabey presents us with a hero who is distinctly different. Sunday is a most unusual girl who has (so far) lived a most extraordinary life all over the world. Of course, that means that she doesn't exactly 'fit in' when she goes to yet another new school. A powerful story about self-acceptance for older children in the first years of school.
Sunday Chutney (2008) is available from Penguin/Viking.
Duck, Death and the tulip
Wolf Erlbruch
This is an exquisite book about living with the inevitability of dying. Heartbreaking, elegant and true, the book captures Duck's relationship with Death and his eventual passing on, accompanied by the tulip. It is a book to be shared between a trusted and sensitive adult and a well-known child in a secure and loving space.
Duck, Death and the tulip (2008) is available from Gecko Press.
Especially for December
Roland Harvey's big book of Christmas
Roland Harvey
Popular author/illustrator Roland Harvey has created a new book about the December festive season around the world. The book conveys information about the origins of Christmas and its traditions and rituals, but works hard at being culturally inclusive and environmentally sensitive. Educators and parents will value this as a resource for activities and explanations with young children. Suits ages three–eight years.
Roland Harvey's big book of Christmas (2008) is available from Allen & Unwin.
Further reading
View these related items on the Early Childhood Australia website:
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