|
Early Childhood Australia has released its shortlist of this year's best picture books for young children.
The list was compiled by ECA Publications Committee member, Jenni Connor. Jenni is a widely respected teacher, principal, curriculum manager and author.
The four categories are:
- Babies and toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Into school
- Books for the family to share
Babies and toddlers
Shhh! Little Mouse
Pamela Allen
Pamela Allen understands very young children.
She places her images firmly, colourfully on glowing white pages; she uses rhythm, rhyme and repeated refrains to sustain interest; and she provides a dramatic engaging story that is an absolute joy for reader and listener alike.
Shhh! Little Mouse (2007) is available from Penguin/Viking.
Just Like My Dad
David Melling
This story, described by the Guardian newspaper as 'a celebration of the father/child relationship,' is now available in Australia in paperback.
It features an appealingly scruffy lion dad and his adoring cub. The energetic and humorous illustrations perfectly match the simple, amusing story.
Just Like My Dad (2006) is available from Hachette Books.
Are You Hungry?
Tina Burke
This almost-wordless picture book is perfect for sharing with the very young.
The simple illustrations in soft hues capture the child's interest and bring them on the little girl's journey as she offers her picnic to each farm animal, asking 'Are you hungry?' The ending adds a touch of gentle humour.
Are You Hungry? (2007) is available from Puffin.
The Bear in the Cave
Michael Rosen & Adrian Reynolds
The poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen is the current Children's Laureate in the UK and he always composes with great child appeal.
The bright, warm and happy illustrations this time beautifully complement the read-aloud story of Bear's big trip to the city and his lucky rescue by four children.
The Bear in the Cave (2007) is available from Bloomsbury (UK) and Allen & Unwin (Aust.).
Preschoolers
Annie to the Rescue
Deborah Niland
A perfect book for preschoolers who are becoming rightly proud of being 'grown up'—no longer scared about tumbles, bugs and loud noises.
However, when Callisto the cat goes up a tree & Annie climbs up to 'rescue' her, she realises that it's still good to have mum around to give you the courage to get down safely.
Annie to the Rescue (2007) is available from Penguin/Viking.
What Will You Be?
Simon French & Donna Rawlins
A classic tale about 'what to wear for the costume parade' from this indomitable duo of author and illustrator: every one else has ideas about dress ups except Sacha, whose mum is very busy with a new baby.
The book is subtly culturally inclusive and respects a child's point of view and their ability to solve their own problems.
What Will You Be? (2007) is available from Allen & Unwin.
Piglet and Mama
Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King
This charming picture book (now available in paperback) is a hit with four-to-five year olds.
Piglet loses her mama and in a variation on an old theme, the other animals try to help by offering cuddles and games of chasey and a snooze in the sun. Piglet of course, cannot be consoled until, with an almighty 'oinkkkk' she and mama are reunited—and happily engage in the suggested activities, together.
Piglet and Mama (2007) is available from Working Title Press and Penguin Australia.
Into school
The Trouble with Dogs
Bob Graham
No one does families as well as Bob Graham; and this episode in the ongoing saga of the dogs brought home from the rescue centre has all the love and chaotic interaction that we have come to expect.
Graham tells a really good story, using really good language to extend vocab and embedding a really good lesson about kindness.
The Trouble with Dogs (2007) is available from Walker Books.
Henny Penny
Vivian French & Sophie Windham
A refreshing take on the very familiar tale of Henny Penny, her friends and the encounter with Foxy Loxy as they are on their way to tell the king that the sky is falling.
Henny Penny is the hero of this retelling, with her native wit and housekeeping skills enabling the animal friends escape to share the cake.
Henny Penny (2007) is published by Bloomsbury (UK).
Old Tom's Big Book of Beauty
Leigh Hobbs
Another episode in the life of Angela Throgmorton and her adored cat, Old Tom. Angela decides that Old Tom could do with a stylish new look but, unfortunately, The Big Book of Beauty goes to Tom's head—in more ways than one.
Hobbs' illustrations capture the personality of this lovable, scruffy feline with remarkable accuracy and Old Tom's hilarious adventures resonate with children.
Old Tom's Big Book of Beauty (2007) is available from Allen & Unwin.
The Most Beautiful Lantern
Sally Heinrich
Mei-Ling is determined to have the most beautiful lantern in the Mid-Autumn Festival. She examines a multitude of exotic and fancy lanterns, but finally chooses the simple red one in memory of her grandmother.
With many tales within the tale, this is an exquisite representation of life and love and family across generations and cultures.
The Most Beautiful Lantern (2007) is published by Lothian.
Books for the family to share
Crow and the Waterhole
Amberlin Kwaymullina
This is a stunningly beautiful production of a traditional tale about a crow that lives her life wishing she could be as bright, bold and talented as the crows she sees reflected in the waterhole.
Through a long and adventure-filled quest, crow discovers that 'your destiny lies within you. All you need to do is learn how to see it.'
Crow and the Waterhole (2007) is available from Fremantle Press.
Ziba Came on a Boat
Liz Lofthouse & Robert Ingpen
This gently told story of one family's flight from war-ravaged Afghanistan is captured with lyrical tenderness by award-winning illustrator, Robert Ingpen.
Amazingly, it is not only a story of loss and fear, but one of warm memories and hopes for the future. If shared by every Australian family, it could contribute to peace, cultural acceptance and a realisation of how blessed we are in this far-flung, relatively safe place.
Ziba Came on a Boat (2007) is available from Penguin/Viking.
Dust
Colin Thompson
Dust is a collaboration between Colin Thompson and 13 internationally acclaimed artists. All royalties from the sale of the book go to the Save the Children fund.
Dust was inspired by the terrible humanitarian crisis in Niger, Africa in 2005 in which drought and locust infestation brought death by starvation to 3.5 million people. (In Niger, the under-five mortality rate is more than one in three.) It is a confronting book, facing unflinchingly the truth of children who die far too young in a world rich in resources, but low in the will to act selflessly.
Mang, the Wild Orangutan
Joan & John van Loon
A story inspired by the author's visit to Melbourne zoo, it charts the incredibly sad journey of one orangutan from the leafy forests of Borneo to its current captivity. The power of the story lies in large part in its evocative, textured illustrations and in the courage—and intelligence—with which Mang deals with the daily reality of a new kind of survival. This is an important book as human intervention spells extinction for so many creatures and brings home everyone's responsibility for the planet and all that live on it.
Mang, the Wild Orangutan (2007) is
published by Lothian.
If you liked this article, you can 'social bookmark' it with others who might be searching for good content on early childhood. This means you can share your favourite webpages with others, or just keep an online list of your bookmarks so you can access them on any computer.
Read more about social bookmarks
|
|
