picture books – Bookmonitor – news from around the world

Ifeoma Onyefulu – New books about Africa – full of colour and life!

Ifeoma has recently visited Mali and some of her photographs can be seen in two beautiful books to be published by Frances Lincoln on August 2nd.

The images bring to life every day activities for children and families in Africa, full of vibrancy and colour. These are unique and culturally diverse word books, with lots to look at and talk about.

Let’s Look at This – Clothes

Hat, shorts, long skirt and top, wrapper…All kinds of things to wear, with a vibrant mix of Western and traditional African clothing.

Let’s Look at This – Food

Mango, rice, plantain, okra…All kinds of delicious things to eat, with a vibrant mix of universal and African foods.

Ifeoma makes frequent travels to different parts of Africa, carrying her camera and capturing smiling faces.

On her last trip to Mali there was much to see and I guess it is a different place today.

Ifeoma’s website tells of her adventures.

Ifeoma’s blog is packed full of journeys and unexpected happenings in some of the remoter parts of Africa. Click on the links to the journey to Mali and the journey to Nigeria, and take a few minutes to get a real sense of what Africa is like.
On her website you can also buy books direct through the Amazon link and get the best prices.

Sue Martin
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House Held Up by Trees

House Held up By Trees

By Ted Kooser
and illustrated by Jon Klassen is new this month from Walker Books UK.

Have you ever played in a house in the trees? Maybe you have a rope ladder that only you could climb. Or even a very special tree that was nearly flat and let you climb right up into its branches.

This very moving story in a picture book format has beautiful illustrations and leaves you with a real feeling of time moving on.

‘When the house was new, not a single tree remained on its perfect lawn to give shade from the sun. The children in the house trailed the scent of wild trees to neighbouring lots, where thick bushes offered secret places to play. When the children grew up and moved away, their father, alone in the house, continued his battle against blowing seeds, plucking out sprouting trees – until one day he, too, moved away. Then, as the empty house began its decline, the trees began to take over. At once wistful and exhilarating, this lovely, lyrical story evokes the inexorable passage of time – and the awe-inspiring power of nature to lift us up.’

Walker Books UK

A book to share or to read alone. but definitely a book that will leave you with past lingering memories.

Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureat for 2004 – 2006, a poet and essayist and writes across genres in amazing ways.

This book available from Amazon.co.uk here.

Dolphin Booksellers- the best in children’s books always on line

Children’s Laureate 2009- 2011

Anthony Browne, illustrator is the new Children’s Laureate for 2009- 2011.

Famous for many of his books, he is a brilliant choice and at Dolphin Books we send our congratulations.

It was fantastic to be present at the announcement and to feel part of the real uniqueness that the Children’s Laureateship brings to the future of children’s books for all our children.

Great to hear Anthony so enthusiastic about Picture Books, ” They’re special, perfect for sharing,. There’s a gap between pictures and words and they encourage a way of looking. They are for everyone, not just for younger children.”

His own picture books are certainly that, try Willy the Wimp or Gorilla. (…links to books below).

More details on the event and the speeches that were made will be added to the Dolphin site soon.

You can visit the home page of Dolphin Booksellers. Bringing information about the best in children’s books direct to you. Working with authors and illustrators in school book events and supporting literacy projects in a community nearby.

Amazon link for Anthony Browne

Amazon link for Willy the Wimp

Amazon link for Gorilla