
“ A magical story awaits your eyes”.
A book review by Hannah H age 8“ A magical story awaits your eyes”.
A book review by Hannah H age 8I go quiet
By David Ouimet
ISBN 9781786897404
Canongate Books
David Ouimet and his publishers have produced a stunning, imaginative sophisticated picture book. It deals with a girl who is extremely introverted. Shy and unassuming she doesn’t even have a name. She goes through life feeling overwhelmed and struggles to find a place where she can fit in. She longs to be heard. This is her journey.
I adore the fact that this solitary, nameless girl finds solace in books.
“When I read
I know there is
a world beneath
my branches.”
Books and reading helps her and gives her courage. The illustrations are dark and moody but they are also beautiful and hopeful. It is for the more mature reader but this would be a great book to unpack with a class and delve into the depths of its beauty and meaning. Love it.
Eekily, sneakily
By Anne Hunter
Illustrated by Dave Gunson
ISBN 9781869665036
New Holland Publishers
Simple poems introduce young children to some of New Zealand’s smaller wildlife.
We meet frogs, snails, stick insects, worms, spiders, butterflies and others and even a lizard. Lots of alliteration and made up words make this a fun learning read. Dave Gunson’s illustrations are bright and cherry yet well detailed.
There is a section at the back with facts for each creature to add to their poems.
Eeekily, sneakily is a simple non-fiction book in picture book format. Many of the insects are found in our own backyards so this is good to help children identify them when they see them flying around.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By J. K. Rowling
Illustrated by Jim Kay
ISBN 9781408845677
Bloomsbury
This is another beautifully illustrated collectors edition from Bloomsbury Publishers.
It doesn’t matter that I already have the set in paperback and hardback, this is something I just have to have, especially as I have the others in this beautiful format. Actually the original copies in the house belong to my now adult son, these illustrated ones are mine. The story is still the wonderful world of magic and mystery, although in this particular book the series takes a more dramatic turn and becomes darker and scarier, and sad too. It doesn’t really matter how old you are because if you are a fan of Harry Potter, then you are a fan for life. It also doesn’t matter how many times you read the books, there is always something new to discover that makes you suddenly think, so that’s why such and such happened.
Jim Kay brings a whole new element to the stories with his magical illustrations. There are stunning illustrations both in colour but also black and white which add mood and mysticism. Stunning.
Play around on the Wizarding World website to see much more.
My cat Dusty protecting my copy bought yesterday, one day after publication day.