Mirror by Jeannie Baker

A picture book is text, illustrations, total design; an item of manufacture 

and a commercial product; 

a social, cultural, historical document; and foremost an experience for a child. 

As an art form it hinges on the interdependence of pictures and words, 

on the simultaneous display of two facing pages, 

and on the drama of the turning page. 

Bader, B. American Picturebooks from Noah’s Ark to the Beast Within.1976.

Think about the words - simultaneous display of two facing pages - Mirror by Jeannie Baker goes even further - it feels as though you are reading two books side by side.

To pick up a copy of Mirror was to experience something quite at odds with the whole tendency of books to enter the e-world, the virtual and slippery place where textbooks and novels cluster, waiting for the click of a button to whisk them into existence. Those experienced in handling picture books instinctively opened the cover to full width, to reveal two equivalent scenes, each one showing a boy looking out at the night sky from an upstairs window. One scene is of a building with lacy decoration, against a pink and green landscape of cultivated farmland; the other shows an urban skyline, with tall buildings many Australian readers would recognise as those of Sydney. Dr Robin Morrow

I have mentioned Mirror (2010) in several previous posts but I wanted to do a deeper dive into this innovative and important book especially after reading this essay from Reading Australia by Dr Robin Morrow. When Mirror was published I knew this was a book that readers in my library would need to experience closely and flat on a table for ease of opening SO I immediately purchased ten copies. Perhaps this was extravagant but in those days I had a very supportive Principal who allocated a generous budget to our school library. 

Mirror is one of those books that is sure to be found in every Australian school and public library and it is a book you should treasure in your own collection. Mirror is still available so it might be time to update your copy. Here are the teachers notes from the publisher Walker Books. You should also take a look at the NCACL Picture Books for Older Readers Database. 

The dual-book format illustrates the two disparate worlds, but also highlights the universal themes of family, community and home. Baker’s intricate collages are truly amazing, but the cultural respect and humanity in this book make it shine. Readings Melbourne

Here is the full Kirkus Star review:

This entirely original book is a strong contender to bring to a desert island, especially as it’s two books in one. Open the “books” simultaneously, in English from left to right and in Arabic from right to left. Scan the pictures and compare family life and global interdependence as the panorama of urban and rural scenes from two very different countries unfolds. Wordless, except for an introduction and an illustrator’s afterword in English and Arabic, the pictures allow readers to meet an Australian boy and a Moroccan boy whose lives become interconnected. The Moroccan boy and his father sell a rug woven in their rural home, and it ends up in Sydney, in a small house that is being renovated by an Australian family. As the boy in Australia draws a picture of his new “flying carpet,” the Moroccan boy sets up his computer, bought with profits from the rug. Baker’s entrancing collages, packed with visual information and created with fabric, sand, vegetation and other unusual materials, have the power to bring back child and adult viewers for infinite “readings.” Perfectly spectacular.

Mirror is a book to be treasured, to be read and re-read with children who will spot new details each time they look through the pages. The book stirs the imagination and creates countless opportunities to talk about our own culture and everyday life as well as exploring the culture of the people of Morocco in a way that children (and adults) will find relatable and personal. Kids' Book Review

Awards:

• British Book Design and Production Awards (2011) – Winner
• English 4-11 Book Awards Leicester (2011) – Winner
• Indie Book Awards – Children’s Category (2011) – Winner
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Gold Award (2010) – Winner
• Australian Book Industry Awards, Book of the Year for Younger Children (2011) – Short-listed
• NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature (2011) – Short-listed
• West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award – Picture Book (2011) – Short-listed
• Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, Children’s Books (2010) – Short-listed
•  Joint Winner CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2011
• Australian Indie Award Best Children’s Book 2011
• An International Youth Library White Ravens Award 2011

Melbourne and the Global Bookshop Crawl

The Global Book Crawl is a worldwide celebration of independent bookshops and those who love them. Readers, writers, and booksellers join forces for one week to create a tapestry of neighbourhood strolls and unforgettable encounters. The heart of the Global Book Crawl is the joy of discovery: wandering through bookstores, getting lost in conversations, and finding titles you didn’t know you needed. Visit two bookshops or twenty, you’re part of something bigger. Here is the list of countries and places participating. 

Australia

• Blue Mountains
• Hobart
• Melbourne
• Mornington Peninsula
• Newcastle
• North East Victoria
• Sydney

I was in Melbourne this week and so unable to do the Sydney bookshop crawl - instead I visited some of the shops on the Melbourne list plus other Melbourne bookshops that didn't feature in this promotion. My extra shops were - three Book Grocer stores (Northcote, Melbourne City, and Melbourne Southern Cross station), The Sun Bookshop in Yarraville and Readings St Kilda.  I was very surprised that The Little Bookroom did not participate. I also ran out of time to visit Readings Kids which is a shop I do enjoy browsing and shopping in. And last time I was in Melbourne I discovered North Melbourne Books - I will go back there on my next trip. 

Participating shops Melbourne (see links here).

• Readings Carlton | Readings Kids | Readings Emporium | Readings State Library
• Amplify Bookstore
• Books for Cooks
• Dymocks Melbourne
• Hill of Content
• Kay Craddock Antiquarian Booksellers
• Mary Martin Southgate | Mary Martin Queen Victoria Market
• Paperback Bookshop

Image from Facebook

I visited ten bookshops (four from the crawl) and purchased four books! 

I spent a long time in Hill of Content. They have a good children's selection. I was able to read a few picture books but they were too heavy for my luggage. I didn't spy any middle grade titles that I wanted to buy - they had many that I had already read. 

I visited their Emporium store - it is beautifully set out. I did get a stamp there but I didn't purchase any books. They had a terrific selection of picture books.

I visited the Melbourne city Dymocks store twice. It surprised me that they were included on the Global Bookshop Crawl as they are a chain store and interestingly the Sydney store was not part of the crawl. The Melbourne store has a huge children's section which is well set out. I find the new layout in Sydney very unappealing. In Melbourne I bought this book:

Why did I select this? It's fairly new (2024); I read some very positive reviews; and the setting is a coal mine and I used to teach in a NSW town based around coal mining.

The Paperback Bookshop is a tiny store which is perfect for book lovers because they hold tons of back stock. Their children's section is very very small because that is not their main focus but I was able to find a book there - an old Australian classic in a new edition with a charming cover:

Here is the Sydney bookshop crawl page with stamps. 

Image source Facebook

If I had been able to take part in Sydney, I would most certainly have visited The Constant Reader; Three Sparrows; Gleebooks; and possibly Abbeys and Kinokuniya even though I go to these last two nearly every week. Sometime over the next month or so I plan to visit a couple of the bookshop crawl stores with a book friend - Gertrude and Alice and the bookshop in Potts Point. 

In an era dominated by algorithms and next-day delivery, the value of independent stores goes far beyond their shelves. “What most local bookshops provide that the digital world [can’t] is curation of the experience. We have incredible knowledge about local and international things. We can help people find the book they’re looking for or recommend things. There’s an incredible wealth of knowledge in the staff, so it’s just a much better experience.”  Anna Low, owner of Potts Point Bookshop

Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue by Alan MacDonald illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa

Huxley is a koala. Flapjack is a penguin. They live together in a rambling house in the woods. Huxley lives high in the treetops (I hope this is a gum tree) but Flapjack is afraid of heights, so his bedroom is on the ground. 

Image source: Francesca Gambatesa

Huxley is a bit of a dare devil while Flapjack tends to be more cautious. It is clear there will be several disasters when the friends head into the city to explore a brand new, six-storey department store. Adding the mayhem, a robber is a at work. The store manager is sure Huxley is the thief but our friends have seen the real thief and so they set up a trap to catch him and hopefully recover all the stolen items. 

Oddly this is book contains information that might surprise Australian children. Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue comes from the UK and it contains a serious factual error - Koalas are not bears! But if you can look past this issue, this book and the next one in the series would be a good addition to your easy chapter collection. There are colour illustrations; and easy to read text; and a fast moving story with touches of humour. Here is an interview with the author. Here is the webpage for Alan MacDonald.

A fast-moving fun story, ideal for new solo readers with zany, dynamic full colour illustrations by Francesca Gambatesa on every spread. I suspect this duo will gain lots of young followers who will eagerly anticipate their further adventures. Red Reading Hub

This charming young chapter book is full of energy, and the fabulous colour illustrations on every page perfectly reflect the vim and vigour of the adventure. Huxley is perhaps a little too quick to act before thinking, and this can provide a talking point. Meanwhile, the very sweet and sensible Flapjack is always there to counter-balance the impetuous koala. This would appeal to young readers who enjoy animal stories that aren’t too cutesy. Book Trust

From its zingy yellow cover to its wonderful colour illustrations, this gorgeous early chapter book is bursting with energy and adventure, sure to capture the imagination- and hearts- of its readers. Huxley and Flapjack prove that opposites attract and that true friends can be quite different to you in both tastes and backgrounds. Through the Bookshelf

The second book from this series will arrive mid year.

Ruby's Repair Cafe by Michelle Worthington illustrated by Zoe Bennett

Ruby loves to repair things and her family have a repair store. People bring broken toasters, kettles, radios, guitars, crockery and more. Things do not need to be thrown away - they can be repaired. BUT a new store opens right next door. It is the BIGG Department store. Over time (this is not shown in the story) everyone changes their shopping habits and eventually (we know this took some months not just one day) the Repair Cafe is forced to close down. Everyone wants new shiny things but in an interesting twist or perhaps an expected consquence, the town dump begins to fill up with "broken bits, old clothes and random rubbish. The stinky smell wafted on the wind."

One night there is a huge storm. The roof blows off the BIGG Department store and most of his stock is ruined. Luckily Ruby is a girl who loves to solve problems and she is an expert at repairs!

The end papers in this book are perfect. Here are some very simple teachers notes - I am sure you could think of deeper questions for your class. My only tiny quibble with this book comes from disparity between the important environmental sustainability message in this story and the use of children to run the repair shop and children who help restore the shops after the storm. Ruby is a child perhaps aged around ten and Mr Bigg is a young adult or a young man aged around twenty. We do see Ruby's parents and grandparents in their repair store but Ruby herself seems to be the main worker?

This book will be a good addition to your library or classroom because it will generate some terrific discussions about our disposable society, the role of garbage dumps, urban renewal, town planning, small suburban shopping strips, and community co-operation. There is also a layer here of the big corporation versus the small local business. ALL of that in a book aimed at readers aged 7+ - I hope you are amazed. Here is the website for the illustrator Zoe Bennett. You can see other books by Michelle Worthington here. Many years ago, two of her books were CBCA Notable titles (Glitch and The World's worst Pirate). 

Companion books:

The Fixer of broken things

Read more about this book here (published March, 2024)

Market Day by Carrie Gallasch illustrated by Hannah Sommerville

 

"Dad gives me a coin, it's for anything that I choose. I put it in my pocket and keep it safe with my fingers."

There are so many tempting things to buy in the market. The setting for this book is the famous Melbourne market but really it could be any market in a city. The family have arrived late in the day and as the walk around we see night begin to fall and lights turning on. Make sure you compare the front and back end-papers. The family buy tomatoes, avocados, dumplings, mangoes, olives, cheese, croissants, dolmades, oysters, dates and grapes. Then they eat some dinner while a young musician plays his guitar to entertain the crowd. He is a busker, and his music inspires people in the market to dance.

"The music gets faster and so do our feet! We wiz and swing and stomp."

Eventually it is time to go home. 

"But the coin is still in my pocket."

Can you guess what happens next?

Market Day was shortlisted for our CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Early Childhood picture book award in 2023. Here are a set of teachers notes. And here are comments and responses by the 2023 shadow judges. 

St Francis Xavier PS Box Hill

Here are the Early Childhood judges' comments:

Market Day narrates the story of a little girl that arrives at a market with one coin she can spend in any way. Several themes are explored, including community, generosity, the power of music, kindness, transience and appreciation. The evocative, detailed digital illustrations depict a bustling produce market and invite further investigation on each read. The language is simple as the girl narrates, yet also, at times, quite beautiful, matching the mood of the outing. It is punctuated by metaphor, analogy, alliteration and an interesting range of verbs. A busker is seen intermittently, and he turns out to be the girl's most interesting and worthwhile encounter at the market.

I love the potential this book affords for such a meaningful discussion with a group of children - How would you spend the coin? Is there a right way to spend money? How do you feel about the way the girl spent her coin? What impact will this have? What do you think her family will say when they arrive home? What might happen on their next visit to the market? What ideas do you think the author wanted readers to consider?

Here are two other books by Carrie Callasch:

Hannah Sommerville has a new book due in November - In the Rockpool. Here are three other books illustrated by Hannah Sommerville:

Anisa's Alphabet

Finding You

Amma's Sari by Sandhya Parappukkaran illustrated by Michelle Pereira

 

This book is a glorious celebration of cultural heritage, family connection and learning to 

appreciate the strengths and beauty in difference.

Mum (Amma) puts on her sari each morning and this is a very special ritual which her daughter enjoys but out in the world people stare. Amma is not concerned about this, but her daughter Shreya notices the way others look at her mum.

"Eyebrows arch into curious mountains when we step out Amma boldly marches on."

Her daughter can hear the comments and see the faces and it makes her feel uncomfortable in way that is confusing and perhaps even disloyal.

"My feet drag. Whispers make me feel anxious."

While they are shopping the little girl finds she is lost. Her mum is not nearby. How can she find her? The crowds of tall shoppers are noisy and rushing everywhere. 

"The crowd tosses me adrift. I frantically search for a stretch of shimmering silk. I wipe my eyes and breathe a wish - to feel soft silk, warmth and love. Then a glint of sunshine catches my eye."

The little girl has found her mum, and she has also found a new way to appreciate her mother's beautiful clothing and the way is now open to embrace all the wonderful cultural and family things her mother has to share.

The sari itself, in this book, is almost a character in its own right – it shimmers with confidence. Every child has had the experience of feeling embarrassed by their parents, but this book adds a cultural layer which will directly mirror the experience of some readers and hopefully inform other children and build empathy and understanding. 

The layering of the illustrations on the third double spread is especially effective and innovative as a way to show the past and the present. On some pages the illustrations seem to swish with the fabric of her sari. Michelle Pereira allows us to really feel the fear of Shreya when she is surrounded by the enormous legs and shoes of the crowd outside when she has lost her mum. The final words of the text are glorious – ‘I beam through the stares and whispers. Walking in the light of Amma’s sari'.

A truly wonderful celebration of diverse cultures. This book helps us to recognise and appreciate these different experiences and perspectives – and makes us challenge and think critically about the way we might react to the ‘otherness’ in the world around us.  Amma is so proud of her sari – which is a representation of herself, her identity, her culture – and how this is represented visually through the sheer size and vibrancy of it. I love the way the sari fills every page. 

Now take a look at end papers - talk to your young reading companion about the significance of the clothesline and peg basket. Link this to the story (that's easy) then try to link this to the wider themes in this book. 

The layout of the pages is so creative with the text intertwining with the illustrations in varied ways adding interest and meaning to the narrative. The illustrations are a feast for the reader’s senses as you are transported back to Amma’s childhood. The details stimulate your taste buds and you also feel like you can hear the hearty laughter ringing from the pages as Shreya and her mother enjoy such quality time together. There are a cast of culturally and racially diverse characters included in the illustrations which adds to the richness of the story and the celebration of difference and diversity. Reading Opens Doors

Amma’s Sari has one of the pinkest covers I’ve seen and it is absolutely gorgeous. The colours are  delicate and attractive, perfectly complementing this sensitively told tale of love and acceptance, the whole notable for its careful nuance and delicacy of feeling. Storylinks

Here is an ABC video of this book. Here are some useful teaching notes linked from Pegi Wiliams. And there are more ideas on Sandhya's own page. 

Michelle Pereira won the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) New Illustrator award in 2022 with her book and Amma's Sari was a 2023 Notable Picture book:

The judges said: An excellent production with high-quality, very appealing retro illustrations which have been created with a limited colour palette using bold strokes and ‘splattered’ detail. The illustrations and text are fully entwined conveying the difficult balance between being ‘different’ and celebrating cultural heritage. The elegant endpapers echo this heritage while the kookaburra outside the window gives an Australian flavour to the setting. The illustrations also appeal to our senses. There is skilled use of ‘white’ space and the night time page made with the green hues is a very effective contrast against the orange of Zimdalamashkermishkada’s name.

Sandhya Parappukkaran left her job as a Food Technologist so she could put her feet up and read. Then she rediscovered her passion for children’s books. She writes stories with themes of ‘embracing your cultural identity’ inspired by her South Indian heritage. Sandhya resides in Brisbane with her husband. Michelle Pereira is an illustrator who spent her childhood in Nairobi, Kenya and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Communication Design and became a professional illustrator after a somewhat extended, but enjoyable, stint of bar work. She has worked with a range of clients such as Penguin UK, Netflix, the New York Times and Marie Claire. She uses bright colours and textural elements.  Hardie Grant

Go Home, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

Let's begin with the cover. I really like the way the way the cover illustration stretches across the front and back with the boy walking towards but turning his head to look back works really well as an invitation to explore this story. I can envisage lots of discussion from the cover about walking on the road, crossing the road, talking a cat for a walk which is different from taking your dog on a leash, the quirky/smug facial expression on the face of the cat, the meaning of the title and the anticipation of their journey. Where are they going? And why?

Now turn to the first spread - the end papers. The map you can see on these end papers is simply perfect. I love the way it has been drawn by the young boy showing his route to the sweet shop. The way the map appears on slightly torn paper is also interesting – perhaps it has been nibbled by the cat? Perhaps Nicholas has walked this route many times. Children who explore maps as a part of their school geography topic are sure to find this map fascinating and perhaps a good inspiration to create your own town or suburb map. 

As each scene unfolds we can see the places on the map such as the two arches he walks under. The town has a charming European feel. His coin has a cat image and looking closely we can see the coin above the dedication opposite the title page. The use of the word ‘marl’ is a better imitation of the sound a cat makes rather an ‘meow’. There are so many delightful extra details in the illustrations such as the no horns sign, the milkman van, an airship, all the city pigeons and that wonderful sweet shop window. Everything looks so delicious. 

Publisher blurb: When Nicholas finds a silver coin in the garden, he tells his cat,‘I can buy liquorice with this!’ Nicholas loves liquorice more than almost anything. ‘Stay home, cat,’ he says, and sets out for the shop. But as Nicholas walks down the street he hears a voice he knows . . . (it is his cat and she just won't listen. Then disaster strikes when he reaches the sweet shop and his cat stops in the middle of the road and Nicholas drops his precious coin - oh no). 

If children are allowed, in your school library or classroom, it would be fun to taste some liquorice after reading this book – I imagine this might be a new experience for many children. 

The page turns in this book, as you would expect from the award winning author Sonya Hartnett. are perfectly timed. The moral dilemma – save the coin or save the cat – is a topic well worth exploring and discussing. Here are some terrific teaching notes from Lamont books. Here is the web site for Lucia Masciullo. 

I was on a sabbatical year in 2012 so I missed reading Come Down, Cat! to groups in my library which is the first book about Nicholas and his cat by Sonya Hartnett (CBCA Early Childhood Honour Book) but I do think this new one can stand alone. 

I went hunting and found Come Down, Cat now and can say there is no need to be familiar first book in order to enjoy this second title although I am sure in every Teacher-Librarian will choose to read these side by side. I was interested to read that Come Down, Cat had a dust jacket – I guess these are just too expensive now but I do wish Go Home, Cat also had a dust jacket - they do add another layer of sophistication to a picture book but they are very rare here in Australia. 

Go Home, Cat offers a different take on the pet narrative where usually the stray cat follows the child home, this time the cat follows Nicholas to the shop with the child desperate for the cat to return home so that it doesn’t get lost, stuck up a tree or worse. Goodreads reviewer

This beautifully worded story magnifies the unspoken love between a human boy and an animal in the most endearing way; an unconditional relationship many young readers will recognise with their own pets. Desire clashes with duty but it is love that prevails. Dim's write stuff

Yesterday I talked about Floof another new Australian picture book that features a cat - I know this is slightly crazy because I am most certainly a dog person not a cat person but these two books are both so terrific I needed to share them here.

Hide till Day-time by Joan Phipson

This book is very very old - first published in 1977. The library I visit each week still has/had a copy but it is in very poor shape and so sadly it will now be culled. Very old Puffin books always go yellow and the print size is too small and while I do like the internal illustrations by Mary Dinsdale, they would not appeal to a modern child.

BUT this is a terrific short story and it is not at all dated. If you have ever visited a large department store you will recognise the scenes and if you have been to our David Jones store in Sydney then the story will really come to life especially for adults with fond memories of the Food Hall in their old store. Sadly the food hall has been moved and it no longer has the charm or delights of the previous offering.

It has been a long shopping day. The children - Agatha aged nine and her little brother are tired. Their father is exasperated and feeling cross and their mother just wants to pick up something easy for dinner as they make their last shopping purchase for the day.

The David Jones Food Hall is full of people. It is nearly closing time (which in the olden days was 5.30pm) and Agatha and George are separated from their parents. Then there is a disaster. George knocks into a woman who is waiting for honey to be poured from a huge container and he falls to the floor covered in honey and flour. Agatha knows her parents will be so upset and she is sure all of this is her fault so she hustles George away and up the escalator and lift trying to find a bathroom where she can wash off all the sticky honey. All of this takes a long time and when Agatha eventually arrives back in the Food Hall everyone is gone including her parents. The store is closed and it seems the children will need to spend the night but why do they need to hide?

The next scenes will remind you of books like From the Mixed up files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler and the picture book Corduroy. Do you remember the scene in Corduroy when the night watchman is hunting through the store after hearing a loud crash. In Hide till Day-time Agatha rides a scooter and knocks over a display and the night watchman comes up with his torch so, just like Corduroy, she quickly adds herself to a store display beside a store dummy or mannequin. It is very funny.  

Hide till Day-time contains a delicious amount of tension. I do hope one day someone will reprint this book with a new cover (the old cover above from 1979 is actually okay) and new illustrations.

Here are some older covers - I was pleased to see this was published as an Antelope book they were always terrific. 

Joan Phipson was born in 1912. She died in 2003. Two of her novels, Good Luck to the Rider (1953) and The Family Conspiracy (1963), won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. Maurice Saxby, the children's literature expert, wrote: "More than any other writers, Eleanor Spence and Joan Phipson have perhaps helped guide the direction of Australian children's literature in the past 30 years. They have both expressed in their novels of family life not only social changes but the concerns and preoccupations of a growingly complex Australian society."

Here is her obituary by Julia Eccleshare.

I would like to discover more about Mary Disdale - her art style reminds me of the fine line work of Charles Keeping, Edward Ardizzone, and Noela Young. 

A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray illustrated by Jenny Løvlie

Aunt Augusta takes Lucy shopping for a new dress. They go to the Fabulous Fashion Store and the manager proceeds to show a myriad of fancy dresses to Lucy. It is scene adults might link with the shopping one in Pretty Woman.

Apart from the title, there is a huge hint about Lily and her need for pockets when you look at the end papers - they are filled with tiny bits n' pieces perfect for placing in pockets!

"Sun dresses, fun dresses, blue dresses, green. Titchy dresses, witchy dresses, very very itchy dresses! Swirly-twirly-whirly dresses, fit for a queen.

Finally after all the flurry of over the top dresses, Lucy whispers her true desire - a dress with pockets! Lucy is an outdoor girl. She collects bugs, beetles, shells, feathers and leaves. Pockets are essential. 

Luckily the shop keeper has just the right dress - although I was hoping he might suggest something different such as pair of overalls or jeans. Anyway, Lily is delighted and so is Aunt Augusta - in fact they take two of these dresses - one each. 

It is fun to think about the way the author uses her own name for her young character. 

Gently whimsical and humorous, and underscored with a subtle feminist message, this is a joyous ‘read it again’ book and one that if shared with more than one child at a time, must be taken sufficiently slowly to allow for enjoying the wealth of detail and ongoing canine capers shown in every scene. Red Reading Hub

Jenny Løvlie is originally from Norway. She now lives in the UK. Here is her web site. 

Pockets are so useful and I find now, when I always need to carry a face mask (Covid), I appreciate pants and dresses with pockets even more.

Here are some other books about pockets - you could perhaps include this as a mini library theme:

Keep a poem in your pocket by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Keep a poem in your pocket

and a picture in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed

The little poem will sing to you

the little picture bring to you

a dozen dreams to dance to you

at night when you're in bed

So-

Keep a picture in your pocket

and a poem in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed.

Red Wagon by Renata Liwska

"A winner" Kirkus Star review

A small wagon can be a wagon travelling to the wild west; or a small caravan; or a boat to ride the wild seas; or the carriage on a steam train; or even a space rocket! It's a long way to the market. Lucy has an errand to complete for her mother but along the way she sure has fun with all her friends. 

I went looking for books illustrated by Renata Liwska last week. I love her soft illustrations of toy-like animals such as the fox, hedgehog, squirrel, rabbit and raccoon.  I first saw her work in the book series The Quiet Book; The Loud Book and Once upon a memory.

The bonus with my discovery of Red Wagon is finding another delightful book for very young children about the power of imaginative play. I was also delighted to discover Renata lives in Canada - in Calgary. She was born in Poland. Here are some of her illustrations. In this interview she talks about her technique. One more thing - the last Wednesday in March is National Red Wagon Day! In 2021 the date will be 31st March.  I need to find some more books about little red wagons and imaginative play. You can read about their history here.

I discovered some other titles illustrated by Renata Liwska: