Meet the illustrator Giles Laroche

Giles creates his award-winning books with paper collages in a process that is truly amazing. He starts with a sketch and then cuts, paints, and glues, to create illustrations that have as many as 7 or 8 layers. He adds spacers (small pieces of cardboard) to give his collages even more depth. Giles calls his technique “paper relief”.

Page from Extreme Places: The most remote homes on Earth

My friend saw the book Extreme Places (cover below) on our recent visit to Gleebooks (a wonderful independent bookstore in Sydney), and she exclaimed because she really loves art by Giles Laroche.

Bookseller blurb for Extreme Places: Journey around the world to some of the most challenging and remote spots on Earth in this stunningly illustrated book that celebrates human ingenuity, community, and the people who call these places home. Would you be lonely living atop a steep, snowbound mountain or bored in a tiny island village Could you find your way home through a dense jungle or a blinding desert sandstorm Our planet has many places where everyday life is made difficult by severe climates, isolation, or natural forces such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Yet in these secluded locations, families learn how to band together and rely on each other, and this spirit of teamwork helps to sustain extreme living. Master of cut-paper collage artwork Giles Laroche transports readers to the world's most extreme places through his exquisite illustrations and succinct explorations of what it takes to survive and thrive there.

Kirkus said: A brilliant and informative introduction to humans’ architectural and social adaptability.

The Giles Laroche book What's Inside: Fascinating Structures Around the World has a fabulous picture of the inside of our Sydney Opera House. It also has: Tomb of Tutankhamun in Thebes, Egypt The Parthenon in Athens, Greece Temple of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Mexico Buddha's Place in Shanxi Province, China Walled city of Toledo in Spain Alcazar Castle in Segovia, Spain Independence Hall in Philadelphia Shaker dairy barn in Hancock, MA A Circus big top tent, which traveled to many American cities The Guggenheim Museum in NYC The Petrona Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The Georgia Aquarium in Georgia, Atlanta.

I went hunting for other books and more details about this US illustrator. He has a book from 1998 called Bridges are to Cross - I would love to see that one too. Kirkus said: (Bridges are to Cross) will open young eyes to the marvels of bridge-building and carry readers to a whole wide world of wonder.

Here is a list of his books (this is not up to date)

WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY GILES LAROCHE

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, available October 25, 2011

What's Inside? Fascinating Structures Around the World, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009

ILLUSTRATED BY GILES LAROCHE

Now You See Them, Now You Don't: Poems About Animals That Hide, by David Harrison Charlesbridge 2016

What Do Wheels Do All Day? by April Jones Prince, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006

Down To The Sea In Ships, by Philemon Sturges, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005

Who sees the Lighthouse? by Ann Fearrington, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2002

Sacred Places, by Philemon Sturges, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2000

Bridges Are To Cross, by Philemon Sturges, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1998

The Color Box, by Dayle Ann Dodds, Little, Brown & Co., 1992

A Road Might Lead To Anywhere, by Rachel Field, Little Brown & Co., 1990

General Store, by Rachel Field, Little, Brown & Co., 1988

Sing a Song of People, by Lois Lenski, Little, Brown & Co., 1987

Here is a page from Who Sees the Lighthouse:

Image source: Giles Laroche

If you want to explore other illustrators who use paper techniques you might look for David Miller (Australia); Robert Sabuda; Clover Robin; the amazing book The Story of Snowflake and Inkdrop; and Susan Roth just to name a few. 

Image source: Gallerix (see more pages inside this book)

Soup's On Around the World by Denyse Waissbluth illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne

Delicious and nutritious. Kirkus

Bookseller blurb: Through vibrant illustrations and heartwarming text, Soup's On Around the World invites readers on a flavorful journey of soups across the globe, each with its own unique history and traditions! Every soup tells its own story, revealing fascinating stories such as: The popular Chinese dish, Wonton Soup, is over 1000 years old. In Finland, a unique Christmas dried fruit soup is served as a sweet dessert, topped with whipped cream. Bitter-leaf Soup, a traditional dish from West Africa, was first used to treat illnesses. French Onion Soup was possibly invented by a king!

The cover of this book caught my eye and then to my delight my friend told me there is another book in this series (Taste the World) about tea. Both of these books would be fabulous additions to your school library and especially perfect if you have a multicultural school population or if you school celebrates days such as Harmony Day. And for families here in Australia, it is Winter so that is the perfect time to snuggle up and read a book about soup.

Bookseller blurb: Let's go on an adventure to discover new cultures and friends through tea! In this fun and lyrical picture book for ages 4-8, kids will learn how tea is enjoyed in Thailand, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Uruguay, South Sudan, India, and more countries! Did you know that po cha, the traditional tea in Tibet, is thick and salty like soup? Or that in Iran, tea is served with a rock? (A rock candy, that is!) Or that afternoon tea was dreamed up in England by a duchess who complained of being hungry between lunch and dinner? With vivid poetry, vibrant illustrations, and unique facts about different tea cultures, Teatime Around the World tells the delightful story of a beloved beverage.

Read the Kirkus review. In this video the author talks about creating her book Teatime around the World. Denyse Waissbluth and Chelsea O’Byrne both live in Vancouver, Canada.

An Anthology of Shells by Simon Aiken

A few weeks ago I was browsing the Non-Fiction section of Gleebooks Kids. I found some fabulous titles which, if I was still working in a school library, I would have grabbed to add to my collection.

Shells bookseller blurb: A beautiful collection featuring informative notes, spectacular photographs, and colourful illustrations of more than 100 types of shells. Find out how to identify, where to find, and what to know about the diverse shell species with this gorgeous anthology. Transportable in size and crammed with profiles of different shell species, this beginner's anthology showcases a wide range of shells from around the world that no collection would be complete without. Learn all about the shell shapes, colours, and textures, and get up close with the snails, crabs, and clams that live in them.

There are a number of things that I am slightly obsessive about - puffins, lighthouses, pelicans, picture books, and shells. I guess that is why this book caught my eye and then I saw there were others on terrific topics like beetles, fungi and rocks. My delight in shells links with the book Junonia by Kevin Henkes. 

If you have a library budget that can stretch to approx. AUS$27 per book it would be great to add a few of these to your library - pick out the ones that match the interests of the children in your school. I am sure the Gems one, for example, would have been a massive 'hit' in my library.

Gems (due November 2026) publisher blurb: Unearth the enchanting world of gemstones and discover the stories behind Earth’s most brilliant treasures! What secrets lie hidden within a shimmering amethyst? Which legendary gems have adorned crowns and royal collections for centuries? How do seemingly ordinary rocks transform into breathtaking jewels? An Anthology of Gems invites young readers on a thrilling journey through the world of precious stones – from deep red rubies and ocean-blue sapphires to opalescent moonstones and sparkling emeralds. Uncover the secrets behind every stone’s sparkle – how it forms beneath the earth’s surface and is enriched by the myths and meaning that make it timeless. Filled with vibrant photographs, detailed illustrations, and engaging text, this book is perfect for budding gemologists, history buffs, and anyone who dreams of discovering hidden treasures.

Bookseller blurb: Discover how to identify, where to find, and other details about more than 100 beetles that exist the world over. Did you know one in every four living things on our planet is identified as a beetle? Explore the fascinating world of these tough creatures in the beautifully packaged An Anthology of Beetles. Featuring colourful photographs and vibrant illustrations, this marvellous book helps you discover the lively world of beetles. From the ones that crawl under your feet to those that fly by your eyes or glide in the water, the book showcases these amazing creatures in all their incredible variety. Learn how different species of beetles help pollinate plants, improve soil health, and control pests - all while playing a key role in maintaining nature's balance.

You could pair the Beetles title with this fantastic series:

Beetle Boy; Beetle Queen

Here are all ten titles from the DK Little Anthologies series:

And a page from Fungi:

How to Survive an Apocalypse by Cameron Hardy and Coby Coonradt illustrated by Victoria Stebleva

On a recent visit to Gleebooks here in Sydney I spied this book. I do need to read it more closely so I will need to make a return visit to the store or hunt this title out in a library, but I just couldn't resist sharing it. The publisher of this book is called Neon Squad and now I also need explore many of their other titles. 

Publisher blurb: In this fun and practical illustrated guide, you’ll learn prepping 101, from basic first aid and water purification to packing a useful emergency kit and how to communicate during a tech outage. Then you’ll discover how to survive all kinds of disasters, including a zombie apocalypse, a supernatural takeover, and an alien invasion. Packed with useful tips, tricks, and strategies, this laugh-out-loud handbook will have you hoping for the worst!

Read the full Kirkus review "Thrilling reading for armchair survivalist".

Zombie outbreak, asteroid strike, or alien invasion? No problem! Coauthors Hardy and Coonradt... help young survivalists prepare for almost any kind of emergency in this lively guide for the end of times... this tongue-in-cheek manual has a direct but amusing style and boldly coloured, action-packed illustrations... While some topics poke fun at Hollywood-inspired calamities... there’s also a wealth of information for weathering real-life natural disasters. - Booklist

I love the idea of presenting readers in the library with book pairs. I would bundle How to Survive an Apocalypse with one or two of these:

Water, Water

The world ends in April

Higher Ground

Alone

After

The Blue Book of Nebo

Across the Risen Sea

The Last Human

Cameron Hardy and Coby Coonradt are the hosts of The Casual Preppers podcast. They’re passionate about helping people know what to do in emergencies, and they believe that learning how to prepare for disaster is a crucial life skill for individuals and families. They both also LOVE talking about the apocalypse! How to Survive an Apocalypse is their first book.

Victoria Stebleva is an internationally published illustrator and artist based in Niš, Serbia. Her portfolio includes non-fiction, middle-grade, and picture books, as well as a graphic novel, editorial illustrations, and more. Here is an Instagram post.

Woodlore by Cameron Miller illustrated by Dominique Falla

I picked this book up in a library a couple of weeks ago from their discard pile. You will want to linger over the endpapers - they are so detailed. The illustrations for this book were done on plywood primed with Gesso, using water soluble pencils and each illustration is framed with actual wood which is described in the text and other timbers are used for inlay work and decoration.

"Yew trees, grown throughout the ages, have the wood the bowyer favours."

I do remember when this book was on the CBCA shortlist back in 1995 and at that time many of us decided not to purchase it because the topic was quite niche and the book was very expensive at the time. I see from this library copy it cost AUS$20 which seems okay now. The bowyer, from the quote above, is a man making a longbow.

Here are some other text quotes:

"Maple and Spruce are always kings for the makers of lutes and violins. ... Alder wood is cut into logs, seasoned, taped, and carved into clogs. ... Blackwood and Box are hard and dense to make sweet woodwind instruments."

My favourite illustrations are of the rocking horse and the draft horse pulling the cart loaded with barrels made by the cooper. And the back notes are very detailed and add a good layer of richness to the text. The woods yew, maple, spruce, beech, alder, mahogany, blackwood, box, ash, walnut, cherry, teak, yellow pine, oak, camphorwood and willow. And there are new words to learn such as wane, spindles, cabinetmakers, lathe, felloes (curved parts of a wheel), trenails (used in shipbuilding), and bodgers (they made legs and spindles for Windsor chairs). Do you remember sharing this book with groups of students in your library?

In 1995 Kirkus said: An elegant and informative book about the art of woodworking, the varieties of wood, and their traditional uses. Falla's detailed, historically accurate illustrations show busy woodworkers in various settings—in interiors and exteriors, from the 14th to the 19th centuries, from Europe to China and the U.S.—in scenes of the finished products in use. Each of these is tastefully framed with the type of wood depicted in it. The entire assemblage— picture and ornate frame—is photographed; the result is a series of icon-like compositions, each one devoted to a particular type of wood and its function. The rhymes about each type of wood—yew for longbows, maple and spruce for lutes and violins, beach for chairs, teak for decks of ship—that are printed beneath each frame are rather mediocre, but the detailed explanatory notes at the end of the book are a pleasure to read. These are full of historical information and descriptions of how the objects in the pictures are made. An original conception, masterfully realized.

And The School Library Journal said this, which might explain why I didn't buy this book for my school library:

Yew trees,/grown throughout the ages,/have the wood/the bowyer favors." In 13 double-page spreads of such rhymed couplets and an additional three pages of text at the end, this unusual book provides historical perspectives and description of the special qualities and uses of 16 particular woods. Resembling stained-glass windows with wood grain, Falla's luminous illustrations are done on plywood primed with Gesso, using aquarelles (water-soluble pencils). Miller framed each picture with the wood described in the text and "used a variety of other timbers for the inlay work and decorations." Turning each page, one expects to feel wood, not paper. Parchmentlike endpapers feature sketches of the trees, woodworking tools, and products shown throughout. Vocabulary such as "bodgers" (itinerant wood-turners) and "falloes" (curved section of a wheel rim) are used in the couplets and explained in the textual notes at the end. The volume is slim, beautiful, and represents untold hours of exceptional craftsmanship. Unfortunately, its primary appeal may be to an adult woodworker, especially one with an interest in history. While this title could possibly be used to support an interdisciplinary approach integrating subjects such as industrial technology, social studies, art, and English, it seems more likely to languish on the shelves of an elementary school library.

I See the Sea by Julia Groves

This book is "a work of art that we can all own" Seven Stories Newcastle, UK.

You might walk past this book if you see it in a bookstore or a library but that would be a huge mistake - please find this book and OPEN IT.  The illustrations are brilliant and the expressive language in the text will give you and your young reading companion a truly rich experience.

The paperback edition of I see the sea was published in 2022 but the good news is - yes - it is still available. In fact Seven Stories, as you saw above, mentioned it on Facebook this morning.

Can you see the die hole on this page - it grows bigger with each page turn.

Here are some text quotes:

"I see a dark shape gliding, majestic and serene." - whale

"I see the knowing grasp, slow and swirling." - octopus

"I see shimmers and flutters clasping tight for safety." - seahorse

"I see bold pigments masking toxic skin." - mandarinfish

There is a very detailed fact page at the back of the book along with all the practical ways we can help protect our endangered oceans. The ocean covers 70.9% of our planet's surface. It is one continuous body of water divided into five main regions - Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.

"Today the ocean and the creatures that live there face many big challenges: climate change caused by human activity; pollution from plastic waste, noise and chemicals; habitat destruction; overfishing and acidification."

There is so much to see and enjoy in Julia’s illustrations for this ocean foray that truly captures its awesomeness and majesty while her lyrical narrative beginning ‘I SEE’ on each spread evokes the wonders of the diverse marine life and flows beautifully from one spread to the next throughout. Red Reading Hub

Julia Groves shares her book on a video here. You could view this with your library group without the sound. The publisher Child's Play have some teaching ideas for using this book.

Here are some other books by Julia Groves:

In the Kelp Forest by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Reena Balding illustrated by Belinda Casey

Kelp are large brown seaweeds, a type of algae that are distinctive because they form forests. Common kelps in Australian waters include bull kelp, golden kelp, crayweed and giant kelp. Just like forests on land, a kelp forest shelters and feeds other plant life and animals.

Publisher blurb: A stunning picture book that explores the beauty and strength of Country beneath the waves and celebrates the living kelp forests, their creatures, and deep Cultural knowledge of Tasmania’s First Nations people. Kelp forests have intricate lives and play a key role in the balance of our oceans and seas. Myerlee, the giant kelp, sways beneath the waves, her forests alive with creatures that make her their home. Myerlee lives with the elements, shelters life, provides sustenance to those on the land and in the ocean and whispers her secrets to those who will listen.

Huge thanks to Magabala Books for sharing Into the Kelp Forest with me (Published April 7th, 2026).

IBBY and UNESCO are currently compiling a list of books that honour and celebrate indigenous languages from around the world. IBBY Australia will send a list of potential titles and I expect to see a display of these books at the IBBY Congress in Ottawa this year. In the Kelp Forest is a perfect example of a text with integrated Indigenous words and beautiful art and it will be eligible for submission with the next (second) selection round. Along the way you readin this book and your library group or young reading companion are sure to learn so much more about kelp and in this book you will also discover indigenous words for sea snails, sea urchins, crayfish, mussels, abalone and the sea horse (patterleenner in Coastal plans language). In the Kelp Forest is a book you should add to your library and then share it with your teachers so the class can discover more about this amazing underwater environment. 

As a way to find more books on this topic and for background reading take a look at these two posts from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything:

4th June 2025 Seaweed Day

1st March 2025 World Seagrass Day

The crew of Backroads (ABC Television) visit the kelp forests of Tasmania (4 minutes). And Nature Conservancy have some further information and photos.

Read more here from Jeannie Baker about her book

You can see nine pages from this book here.

Kelp is used as food for animals and humans, for products such as toothpaste, ice cream and shampoo but climate change, global warming and pollution mean that huge areas of kelp forest have disappeared. Kep also provides shelter for animals such as trumpeter fish, crayfish and seahorses. 

Aunty Patsy Cameron grew up on Flinders Island and can trace her Aboriginal heritage through her mother’s line to four Ancestral grandmothers ... Patsy has a Master of Arts in Tasmanian Aboriginal History and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Tasmania. She was inducted onto the Tasmanian Women’s Honour roll in 2006 and was invested with an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for distinguished service to Indigenous communities in Tasmania. Her first picture book, with Lisa Kennedy, was Sea Country, also published by Magabala Books.

Belinda Casey is a proud great granddaughter of legendary Tasmanian Aboriginal woman, Fanny Smith, whose traditional homeland is Tebrakunna Country in North Eastern Trouwerner/Tasmania. Belinda graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from the School of Creative Arts, University of Tasmania in 2018 and was a finalist in both the 2025 John Glover Art Prize and the 2022 Hadley’s Art Prize. Belinda’s art practice honours the legacy of her ancestral grandmother and the strength and resilience of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, their culture and connection to Country.

My Pet Goldfish by Catherine Rayner

"When I was four, I got my first ever pet: a fish no bigger than my hand, with red and orange scales. My very own goldfish! He didn't have a name yet so I got to choose one - and I called him 'Richard'".

Richard is not alone - he lives in a fish tank with her sister's fish. The young girl loves spending time with Richard - telling him about her day. Sandy, the boy next door also has some goldfish but this live in pond in his garden. When you turn to the page filled with the fish in Sandy's pond you will gasp at all the colours.

There are facts on each page of this book: did you know there are over two hundred different kinds of goldfish with names like comets, bubble eyes and pompoms. And did you know that a group of goldfish is called a “troubling” or that the oldest ever goldfish was 43 years old?

Eventually Richard grows too big for the fish tank and so the girl takes him over to Sandy's to live in his pond. 

Because this book is a combination of narrative and nonfiction it contains an index, further reading list, and a page of author notes. 

My Pet Goldfish was published in 2021 - I am not sure how I missed it. AND it is illustrated (and written) by Catherine Rayner which is another reason I should have been aware of this book. Here is a video of Catherine reading her book. 

The lovely and delicate mixed-media illustrations sparkle with color; we see Richard, other fish, bubbles, and aquatic plants drift serenely in gentle waters. ... Delightful and validating for first-time or would-be goldfish guardians. Kirkus

In the US this book has a different cover:

In the library where I spend a joyous day as a volunteer the Teacher-Librarian has gathered together all of her books from the Nature Storybook (or previously Read and Wonder) series from Walker books. I think she might have nearly every one of these splendid nonfiction titles. Recently she set up a display of books about goldfish and it proved very popular with the children and now this topic links perfectly with one of the CBCA 2026 Early Childhood shortlisted titles - Derek.

Derek

Robot Responders by Smriti Daniel

This is a very different book from the ones I usually see from CSIRO Publishing. Huge thanks for my review copy. 

What to expect from this book

1: A short history of robots

2: The digital revolution

3: Say hello to the robots …

4: Robots to the rescue: From dangerous to discovery

5: Dive into the world of roboticists

6: Humans and bots: Spot the differences

7: Biomimicry: Inspired by nature

8: Robots in different environments

9: The future from here

Blurb from Lamont: Explore the fascinating world of robotic innovation in Robot Responders. Uncover how nature inspires engineers, discover the latest life-saving technologies, and get a glimpse of the next

generation of robots that are already in development. Meet the robots that dare to go where humans can't! From blazing fires and crumbling buildings to radioactive zones and stormy seas, rescue robots are on the front lines saving lives, exploring the unknown and tackling tasks too dangerous for people. Whether they're diving to the ocean floor, fixing satellites or cleaning hospitals, robots are redefining what's possible. Behind every heroic robot is brilliant design and cutting-edge technology. Think flexible joints, precision flight, lasers for mapping, and fire-fighting abilities to spray hundreds of litres of water in seconds. But success also depends on seamless teamwork between humans and machines.

The Teachers Notes list these questions for discussion:

• Police should be allowed to use robots in public places if it helps keep people safe.
• Robots should be allowed to enter private land or homes during emergencies, such as bushfires or floods, without asking first.
• It is okay for robots like Reef Sweeper to kill invasive animals if it helps protect native species.
• Robots should replace humans in very dangerous jobs, even if it means some people lose their jobs.
• Drones and robots should be allowed to watch animals and people from above if it helps scientists collect important information.
• Medical robots should be allowed to work inside the human body if they can treat people faster and more safely than doctors alone.
• Robots should be used in war if it means fewer human soldiers are harmed.
• Robots that collect information (photos, sounds or data) should always ask for permission first, even in emergencies.
• If a robot makes a mistake and causes harm, the people who designed it should be responsible.
• Robots should only be used to help humans and the environment, not to make money or gain power

Over the last few days I read a new Young Adult title for readers aged 16+ Once Upon Tomorrow by Karen Comer due May 2026. Part of the setting of this confronting story is set in 2125 and in that imagined future robots are not to be trusted, humans have brain implants, and all thoughts are monitored. The future world described by Karen Comer is not one I would want to live in. 

Robot Responders contains ethical questions for further discussion. I have selected a few and if I was sharing this book in my school library (senior Primary level and High School) I would copy some of the questions and then link them with a suggested fiction title. I do enjoy fiction middle grade books that feature robots so I have quite a few I can suggest which you can link with this nonfiction title.

The Last Human

Troofriend

Roboethics "Some (people) think we'll see robots in every kind of industry. Others would like to see stricter rules and regulations put in place now."

Dogtown

Privacy paw-trol "Imagine if your pet could remember everything it sees and hears. While that sounds super cool, it also means we need to think about privacy ... What rules should be in place to protect information we don't want to share?"

Curiosity

A Rover's Story

When is it too risky for humans? "Robots can go places that are too dangerous for humans, such as deep under the ocean or far into space. Do you think that's necessary? What do we gain - or lose - when we send a robot instead of a human being."

Our sister again

The Wild Robot

Who is in charge? "Should robots always obey the commands of their human partners? Or are there some situations where a robot should act based in its own judgement?"

Runaway Robot

Friends or machines? "Some people think that as robots become more lifelike and useful, they should have certain rights similar to humans or animals. Others believe that since they are human creations and don't have feelings, robots shouldn't have rights."

Monstrous Devices

Robots at the frontlines. "Should robots be used in military conflicts? ... Do you think it is every right to have a robot fight a human? ... what happens when one side can afford advanced robots and the other cannot?"