Picture Books du Monde: April Review

Welcome to Picture Books Du Monde, a monthly link-up where bloggers from around the world share their love of all things related to picture books.

We’re your hosts- Cathy from Peregrination Gourmande and Shannon from Oh Creative Day.

Hi! I’m Cathy. I’ve always been a picture book lover.
When I started my job as a psychologist, I discovered the power of those books on the children with whom I was working.
The power of words combined with illustrations. After I became a mum there was no reason to stop me buying tons more picture books for the family.
Now I have 2 little bookworms and a well-used VIP card at my local bookstore.
I’m also married to a collector of graphic novels. The bookshelves are full!
I’ll share with you each month a selection of picture books that interested us. I might also have some suggestions from my 10 year old daughter.
I hope you enjoy the link-up and the good books.
Head over to Peregrination Gourmande to see Cathy’s Picture Book du Monde picks for this month!

Hello! I’m Shannon, a teacher and a mama to 2 kids under 3. I blog here at Oh Creative Day.
I believe that reading is as important as breathing.
I dream of having my own picture books published one day. I truly, wholeheartedly believe that there is a picture book to help all little ones (and big ones!) through most of life’s situations.
They really are a perfect vehicle for making sense of the world.

This April over on Instagram, Marcy from @usbornestagram and I formed our #ohbookwormsquad of like-minded children’s book lovers. We’ve had a ridiculous amount of fun posting books for our weekly themes and ogling all the beautiful books posted by squad members.
Here are some of the picture books that have been enjoyed at our place this month.

Traffic Jam Puzzle Book by Aino-Maija Metsola
Oh my heart! This is an absolute beauty of a board book.
It celebrates vehicles and things that move whilst also teaching prepositions.
Every second page contains a detachable puzzle piece that can be used to assemble a floor puzzle.
Our little boy turned 1 this month and received this book as a present. It is bright, engaging and interactive.
Metsola designs for Marimekko. My illustration-loving heart is so in love with this book.

Keats’s Neighbourhood by Ezra Jack Keats
The birthday boy also received this magnificent book as a present. I have visions of this book becoming a family heirloom passed on to my grandchildren.
Keats is widely recognised as a trailblazer of an author and illustrator. He was one of the first to depict realistic, multi-ethnic, urban settings in his stories.
This exquisite anthology features 10 of his stories including the 1963 Caldecott Medal-winning book “The Snowy Day” and Caldecott Honor book “Goggles .”
Renowned critic Anita Silvey provides an introduction, with five notable authors and illustrators also sharing their thoughts on Keats’ legacy to the field of children’s books.
What a man. What a book.Yoo-Hoo Ladybird by Mem Fox and Laura Ljungkvist
This is a look-and-find book. As suggested by the title, we are looking for a ladybird.
It is so easy to get lost in the vivid illustrations of Ljungkvist.
Mem Fox is the master of creating books that are deceptively simple but completely captivating.
I have never seen her work paired with this style of illustration before.

The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper by Terrizita Corpus and Maggie Prewett
This is a fun tale of a Lighthouse Keeper who must get out of bed in the midst of a wild, wet season storm to check that the lighthouse lamp is still shining.
Whilst he is out performing his duties, a host of sea creatures take shelter in his bed. I’m assuming this is what makes him grumpy!
The poor man returns from his rounds and just wants to go to bed but must evict all the sea creatures.
This book features some fabulous action verbs and I can see it being used in a classroom unit on verbs. Interestingly, this book was inspired by the Broome lighthouse, the surrounding landscape and the sea life local to that region.

Bob the Artist by Marion Deuchars
I predict that at the end of 2016, this book will be in my Top 5 favourites of the year.
Poor Bob the Blackbird is mocked for his skinny legs. He goes to the gym, restaurants- anything to try and bulk up his skinny pins.
One day he ends up at the Art Gallery.
Inspired by the techniques of different artists, Bob begins drawing attention to his beak.
Each day he paints his beak in a different style. Pollock! Matisse!
This book beautifully explores the themes of self-expression, the power of art and creative thinking.
Heavy paperstock, beautiful hand-lettering and the art of Deuchars. An amazing trinity.
Good Night Like This by Mary Murphy
A lovely bedtime read, perfect for younger children.
Simple rhyming text and sweet, soothing illustrations allow us to follow a cast of animals and their parents as they snuggle in and get ready for bed. Everything about this book is cosy!
Split pages and foil stars add an extra special layer to this already special book.
This would be a perfect Baby Shower or Toddler Birthday present.

What books have you been enjoying this April?

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