Unity Books’ children’s book reviews for winter

Unity Books Auckland and Wellington booksellers review a handful of children’s books that will delight and inspire readers of all ages.

AUCKLAND

Reviews from Elka Aitchison and Roger ChristensenBookseller at Unity Books Auckland

The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story from Kate DePalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff (AAge 4+)

I’m a huge fan of sourdough and have had my own bread pet for 23 years, so I’m thrilled to see a picture book that celebrates the joy and responsibility of my slavish weekly ritual. After all, I’ve taken my pet on vacation with me due to the regular demands of feeding it, and in this fun story about a young girl and her mother entrusted with a friend’s sourdough starter, I can so relate to how the sticky bread pet soon takes over the house. The illustrations playfully demonstrate the mathematical magnitude of the takeover, but with some quick thinking and community spirit, the problem of the rising bread pet is solved. With a starter recipe and care and baking tips at the back of the book, you too will soon be spreading the love of sourdough. Reviewed by Understood.

Dinosaurs and all that nonsense by Michael Foreman (A(from 5 years)

How could we be so wrong? It’s never too early to develop a love for the planet, as demonstrated by Michael Foreman’s poignant environmental picture story, written over 50 years ago and featuring stomping, talking dinosaurs. This is a simple story about human greed gone awry and a valuable lesson about taking care of the place you live in for all to enjoy and share. I love the bold and playful illustrations combined with the succinct, concise text that convey such a powerful message that will resonate long after you’ve finished reading the book. RC

The letter with the golden stamp by Onjali Q Rauf (ages 9 and up)

In celebration of all the superheroes who keep their loved ones alive behind closed doors. Onjali Q Rauf is a deserving winner for her previous books, especially The boy at the back of the classand here she tells the story of nine-year-old enthusiastic stamp collector Audrey, who the sole caregiver of her increasingly ill mother and her two younger siblingsWith her family on the verge of falling apart, Audrey takes drastic measures to make things right. As she recounts her sometimes hilarious and often tense adventure, we end up where the story begins, in a London police station. Onjali has captured so well the voice and innocence of the young protagonist who is faced with very adult challenges. RC

How to Draw Almost Anything: An Illustrated Sourcebook by Chika Miyata (ages 8 and up)

The title of this quirky guide doesn’t lie. It offers visual instructions for drawing a plethora of things, from the mundane to the bizarre. The pages alternate between bright pastels and classic white or brown paper to create sections, which is what makes it such a beautiful object (satisfying for a book about art!). Miyata has captured a wonderfully quirky selection of objects: If you go to the Around the House section, you will find instructions on how to draw a deer head and an air conditioner on a single page! This is a nice reminder to pay attention, to get the reader to notice the mundane and to teach them to break down objects into building block shapes. They You can stitch together drawings from throughout the book and change the colors, medium, or details of your illustrations, adding endless possibilities to the 2,000+ things you’ll learn to draw. Reviewed by Elka Aitchison.

Snow White is indestructible by Beatrice Alemagna (ages 14 and over)

This darkly beautiful picture book is unlike any other, not least because it’s aimed at teens and adults alike. It’s stunning, right down to its format: its unique binding means it can lie flat, fully revealing Alemagna’s sprawling illustrations. The story is a retelling of Grimm’s gruesome version of Snow White from the stepmother’s point of view. Alemagna’s version finds a clever middle ground: it penetrates the villain’s mind and reveals dark, obsessive jealousy, but our queen’s violent acts are neither rationalised nor softened. It’s the layered illustrations that make this book so evocative and captivating. Eerie, surreal characters and settings are outlined in green and brown shadows, or leap off the page in fluorescent, bright pink and red. The beauty of the images is at once undeniable and ominous. They’re gruesome and haunting, but rich with emotion; every page is a surprise and something you can read for hours. EA

And Unity Books Auckland’s children’s book bestsellers for July:

1 Matariki by Gavin Bishop (Puffin, $16)

2 Maui and other legends: 8 classic stories from Aotearoa by Peter Gossage (Penguin, $40)

3 At the river by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper (Walker Books, $30)

4 Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by School of Life (School of Life, $45)

5 Edmonds My First Cookbook by Goodman Fielder (Hachette, $28)

6 Lego game book by Dorling Kindersley (Dorling Kindersley, $37)

7 The Grimmellings by Rachael King (Allen & Unwin, $25)

8th Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Picadilly Press, $19)

9 Tu, meke, tui! by Malcolm Clarke, illustrated by Flox (Mary Egan, $20)

10 The Observologist: A Handbook for Conducting Very Small Scientific Expeditions by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko, $40)

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WELLINGTON

Reviews by Rachel Pilois and Rei Henfield, Bookseller at Unity Books Wellington.

Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Diary by Hira Nathan and Jesie Eyre (illustrated by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho) (ages 7 and up)

From the bestselling author of Whakawhetai: gratitude, Piki te Ora is a fully illustrated wellbeing journal for children, based on the Māori principles of Hauora – looking after all the different parts that make you who you are. This book teaches tamariki how to practice mindfulness and gratitude through fun activities, and provides space for them to write down their thoughts, draw, doodle, paint and more. It will keep children entertained and show them how to look after all aspects of their wellbeing. This pukapuka really should be on the shelf of every family in Aotearoa. Reviewed by Rachel Pilois.

The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe (ages 6 and up)

This is a wonderfully fun graphic novel with chapters by local author Alison Tysoe. Truffles is a grumpy house cat who is not thrilled when she gets a new sibling, an excited new puppy named Poppy. Poppy is an intrepid detective with a knack for solving puzzles, even if she doesn’t always know what the puzzle is. Following mysterious paw prints, dodging traps, and defeating the Blanket Bandit are all part of this Puptective’s daily routine, much to Truffle’s chagrin. But when her investigations go astray, Truffle realizes her new sibling may not be so bad after all. The easy-to-read text is perfectly accompanied by Tysoe’s adorable illustrations, making this book ideal for anyone starting an early independent reader. RP

Enchanted Tales: Stories from Around the World by Laura Sampson (illustrated by Quang & Lien) (ages 6 and up)

This is an absolutely stunning collection of fairy tales from around the world. Retold by storyteller Laura Sampson and featuring captivating illustrations by Quang and Lien, this book will be treasured for generations. Discover distant lands full of mystery and magic, and lose yourself in stories featuring epic heroes and heroines on daring adventures. With stories from countries such as the Czech Republic, Wales, Vietnam, and even Aotearoa’s own story of Rata and the Hakuturi, this book will make bedtime truly magical. RP

Wildwood by Colin Meloy (illustrated by Carson Ellis) (ages 9 and up)

The The first children’s book by Colin Meloy, frontman of the rock band The Decemberists, Wildwood’s headstrong young heroine Prue travels through the Impassable Wilderness to rescue her little brother from the forest’s evil ruler, the Governess’s Dowager. As the names of the setting and villain suggest, Meloy’s style is both sophisticated and whimsical, resulting in fantastic world-building and a wonderfully entertaining read. You’ll meet coyote soldiers, bandits, talking mice and owl princes; it’s a blast. It’s also a beautiful book with worn edges and fantastic illustrations by Carson Ellis, Meloy’s wife, which only add to the atmosphere of old-fashioned mystery that permeates the whole story. Reviewed by Rei Henfield.

Mouse on the River by Alice Melvin (ages 3 and up)

It’s almost impossible to put into words the indescribable joy this book brings. The illustrations are beautiful, capturing the hazy wonder of a summer afternoon while maintaining a realism that makes the book almost an identification guide for wildlife along a river bank (there’s a section at the end that is just that, offering information about the nature depicted). The story follows Mouse on his journey to his friend on the coast, and readers can lift the side flaps as they go, revealing small details beneath the watery world and the cozy interiors of his neighbors’ homes. SECTION HR-V

And Unity Books Wellington’s children’s book bestsellers for June:

1 Dazzling Hands by Sacha Cotter & Josh Morgan (Huia, $22) 3+

2 The Observatory by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press, $40) 7+

3 A star cluster: Matariki around the world – Miriama Kamo & Rangi Matamua (Scholastic, $35) 4+

4 My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Scholastic NZ, $18) 5+

5 Dog Man: The Scarlet Coat Change by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic US, $22) 7+

6 Gracehopper by Mandy Hager (One Tree House, $30) 16+

7 The reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson (Farshore, $23) 14+

8 The Adventures of Mittens: Wellington’s Famous Purr Sonality by Silvio Bruinsma (Penguin, $20) 3+

9 The Grimmellings by Rachael King (Allen & Unwin, $25) 9+

10 Ultrawild: A bold plan to rewild all the world’s cities by Steve Mushin (Allen & Unwin, $38) 9+