Sydney and Taylor by Jacqueline Davies

"Sydney and Taylor live in a burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed."

Bookseller blurb: Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized.

There are eleven chapters in this 79-page book which is published in a sightly larger format than the usual sized paperback. The first book (above) was published in 2021 but I think these books are still available. 

Blurb for Book 2 Take a Flying Leap: When Taylor decides he wants to be the World’s First Flying Hedgehog, there is little Sydney can do to stop him. Will Taylor realize his dream? Will he forgive Sydney for not believing in him? And can Sydney keep his spiny friend in one piece? This hilarious story, illustrated with expressive full-color art, highlights the importance of friendship and the need to reach for the sky.

Blurb for Book 3 ... and the Great Friend Expedition: Sydney and Taylor have been best friends since before they can remember. But how does one make new friends? Taylor wants to try, so Sydney does what any best friend would do: accompany him on his biggest adventure yet! When sincere compliments and gifts of friendship don't lead anywhere, Sydney and Taylor may need to look where they least expect . . .

One of the MOST important sections of a school library (and a bookshop) is the space set aside for easy chapter books - those with very satisfying stories - not readers or formulaic series. And these books work best if they have colour illustrations and are from a series with a small number of titles. There are not so many good examples of this that have been published here in Australia in recent years and we rarely do colour illustrations but there are so many terrific junior series and easy chapter books that do come our way from the US and UK and luckily because we speak English our readers can access and enjoy them. There are three books in the Sydney and Taylor series. I am so happy I have discovered these - the stories in books one and three made me smile:

Read more about Jacqueline Davies here.

I recently read this comment about books which pair unlikely friends:

"Friendship is an important part of children's lives. And that's precisely why it's such an important part of children's books. Friendship is truly where so much of the drama, as well as the triumph and love happens between children's book characters. This is especially true in stories about unlikely friendships. Whether friendships are unlikely because of personality, character traits, or even species, there is an inherent tension in stories where there is some kind of perceived obstacle to characters becoming friends."

It is fun that many of books that fall into this category contain unlikely friends such as our skunk and hedgehog from the series I mentioned today. Other fantastic junior each chapter books I recommend:

Bear and Bird by Jarvis

Our Friend Hedgehog

Sadly these are way too expensive here in Australia

Mouse and Spoon

Look for other series by Cynthia Rylant such as Mr Putter and The Lighthouse Family

Orris and Timble

Cornbread and Poppy

Mouse and Mole

Houndsley and Catina

These are newer junior chapter and easy chapter book series from here in Australia that I also highly recommend:

Bitza

Bravepaw

Spud and Snowball -there will be more books coming in this series

Companion books to read after the first installment of Sydney and Taylor; Explore the whole wide world:

The trip to Panama

Pigsticks and Harold

Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall by LM Wilkinson illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Titch and her friends Huckleberry, Dollop and their new friend a squirrel named Briar are on a quest to heal a crack in the heart of Alluria. Titch has the Heartstone but ...

"It had been a wise old squirrel who told Titch that the Heartstone was incomplete - that there were other gems out there. One of them - the Clawstone - had hung around the nect of the turtle wizard. But there were more to find, which was why they were on their way to the library city of Lexhelm, to learn more about the Gems of Harmony and the history of Bravepaw."

All librarians and Teacher-Librarians will be thrilled that Titch needs to visit a library! BUT how horrid that they are confronted by armoured silversfish and they are holding the head librarian Master Sticklepin, a hedgehog, captive in his own office. Titch, Briar and Huckleberry fight the silverfish but while some are destroyed many just slither away (I hope we don't mee them again in the next Bravepaw book). 

Master Sticklepin explains to the group about the history of Bravepaw - the first was a rabbit princess named Hazel but more importantly they hear about an ancient monster of pure evil called the Deadroot. This monster is responsible for the danger facing Alluria because every hundred years he stirs again.

Titch has the Heartstone on the top of the staff given to her by Prince Vetiver and she now has one of the four Gems of Harmony - Clawstone. The other three are Fangstone, Dreamstone and Songstone. Titch and her group are now on a quest to find the Fangstone and this will involve a journey deep underground to a crystal cavern. It also means their trust will be betrayed. (Spoiler alert) Why is Clover, a very small, white, delicate looking mouse offering to help them? 

The underground scenes in this third installment are so vividly written I felt utterly claustrophobic. Oh and those awful curseworms are at work again and thank goodness the group rescue and meet Raia, the lavender wolf who I am sure will be back again. 

In 2022 I discovered the first book in the Bravepaw series and I fell in love with the characters and these little chapter books. In 2025 I rushed out to buy the second book and it was an equally terrific quest story. Late last week I saw the author LM Wilkinson and illustrator Lavanya Niadu mention the third book had been published early in March - how did I miss this? 

Yesterday I picked up Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall and I read the whole book as soon as I arrived home. If you haven't found this series you do need to begin with the first book and please take a minute to read my first two blog posts. I wonder how long I will need to wait for the final two installments. If you work in a school library this book set will look so splendid on your shelves. If you haven't added these to your library make sure you do this now - especially because sadly Book One is from 2022 so, unless it is reprinted, copies could become scarce. 

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria

Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire

Is it Asleep? Olivier Tallec

Squirrel and his friend Pock (a mushroom) set out on a walk through the forest to the meadow. They love listening to the birds, especially the song of the blackbird but there is no song. Then they see the blackbird:

"It's lying there completely still. We've never seen a bird so close-up. It must definitely be asleep. So we keep very quiet and wait for it to wake."

The bird does not wake up even after they move in for a close look at the beautiful feathers, even after they whisper to the bird 'Are you asleep?', and then they clap their hands but nothing happens. Three heads are better than two so they fetch their friend Gunther. Guther says they should lift the bird to help it fly but they discover blackbird is too heavy and that's when we read something you and your young reading companion probably suspected:

"That's when Pock says maybe the blackbird is dead."

Here is an interview with Olivier Tallec and Gecko Press.

I seem to be sharing a few books lately about deep sadness, grief and death. Take a look at this video where the presenter talks about when and why to share picture books about these topics. Yes, It is Asleep? is desperately sad but it is also a gentle story about friendship and caring and memories. There is so little text in this book - it demands to be read very quietly and slowly. You should add this book to your library and don't be afraid to pop it on your regular picture book shelves - no need to hide it away in a parent or teacher reference collection. It is also a NSW Premier's Reading Challenge title (K-2). [1367138]

Children read a book about death like they read a story on a completely different subject. They don’t identify with it in the same way as adults. Children are not apprehensive about entering this story. And I believe we shouldn’t be afraid to read them these books. Death is part of life. Olivier Tallec

A laudably candid yet child-friendly examination of life and death. Kirkus

With moving reflection, and a tribute to life lived and lost, death is gently portrayed in a pure, uncomplicated way that children can comprehend.  Kids' Book Review

Olivier Tallec’s work has been called “sensitive”, “stunning”, “breathtaking”, and “beautiful.” Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the École Supérieure D’arts Graphiques in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books.

We have already met Pock and Squirrel and Gunther the mouse in this previous book:

A Better Best Friend

Here are a few other books to explore on the topics of grief, loss and death:

The Memory Tree

The Bear and the Wildcat

The Hare-shaped Hole

Our Friend Hedgehog series by Lauren Castillo

“I have never, ever been without Mutty, and he has never been without me,” Hedgehog explained. “We need each other.” Mole was a very good listener. She nodded in all the right places and rested a comforting paw on Hedgehog’s quills. It felt good to have someone to talk to in this big, scary forest.

The cover will help you anticipate some of this plot. You can see a woodland setting, a toy dog wearing a jumper (sweater), a girl with a camera, an owl, beaver, mole and some chickens. With only ten short chapters and 128 pages this is a perfect book for a newly independent reader. And as a bonus it begins with a map! I also loved the way each character has a distinct voice and personality and Lauren Castillo has included some little jokes along the way. 

Here is an example: “Peep!” Chick Two bounced off Chick One. “Peep, peep!” Chick One bounced off Chick Two. And the two leap-chicked right back into the brush. “For peep’s sake!” groaned Beaver.

Opening sentence - Notice the way the narrator speaks directly to the reader:

Sometimes you make a friend and it feels like you have known that friend your entire life. Hedgehog, Mutty, Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen and Chicks, and me, Annika Mae. You might think it has always been this way, but it has not. There was a series of events that brought us all together. This is our friendship story. This is the story of us.

Blurb from author page: Hedgehog lives on a teeny-tiny island with only her stuffed dog, Mutty, for company. When a great storm carries Mutty away, she embarks on a quest to find her friend. Following the trail of clues Mutty left behind, brave Hedgehog meets a wiggly Mole, a wordy Owl, a curmudgeonly Beaver, a scatterbrained Hen and Chicks, and a girl who's new to the neighborhood, Annika May. With bravery and teamwork, there's nothing that can stop these seven from finding Mutty, but along the way they discover something even more important: each other.

You will need to talk to your young reading companion about instamatic or Polaroid cameras!

Awards:

• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year SELECTION 2021
• Chicago Public Library Best Books SELECTION 2020
• Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books SELECTION 2020
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year SELECTION 2020
• ALSC Notable Children’s Books LONGLIST 2021

I saw the third book from this series mentioned on social media and I was curious BUT here in Australia these books are way outside the budget of a school library at over AUS$45 each. That's why I purchased the ebook version of Book One. I really enjoyed my dip into this series SO if these ever arrive here in paperback for a better price you might consider adding them to your school library - I am always on the hunt for simple early chapter books with colour illustrations and most importantly appealing stories.

Bookseller blurb: Autumn leaves are falling in Hedge Hollow, and the change in season brings with it a spiny surprise... another hedgehog! Is it friend or foe? Or is it . . . family? On the one paw, Hedgehog is excited to meet one of her own kind, but on the other paw, she has never felt so different—or distant—from her old friends. Where does Hedgehog belong, and who does she belong with? A journey upriver through an unfamiliar forest just might lead her home…

Bookseller blurb: When the humans of Hedge Hollow head off to school, Hedgehog and her furry, feathery friends decide to start a school of their very own! Owl will teach reading. Beaver will teach shop. Mole will teach geography. Hen will teach math. And Hedgehog . . . Hedgehog isn't so sure. After all, you have to be an expert to teach a class, don't you? Hedgehog doesn't feel like an expert in anything. Lucky for Hedgehog her friends are happy to lend a paw, sharing laughter and kind words as they figure out a solution.

Lauren Castillo studied illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art and received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is the author and illustrator of the 2015 Caldecott Honor winning book, Nana in the City, and new chapter book series, Our Friend Hedgehog. Lauren has also illustrated several critically acclaimed picture books, including Kirkus Prize finalist Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera, Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley, and Yard Sale by Eve Bunting. She currently draws and dreams in Harrisburg, PA.

The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos illustrated by Doug Salati

Use your milkweed: Read this! Kirkus Star review

Butternut is a young rabbit. She lives with her family in a burrow near a meadow and also near a human home. The family of humans regularly fill a garden bird feeder with delicious seeds for the many birds that live in and around the meadow but each morning one bird named Blue bullies the other birds and squirrels and so none can get close to the delicious treats. 

Meanwhile in the burrow each evening the young rabbits take turns as storytellers. I love the names of Butternut's siblings: Lavender, Clover, Thistle, Goosegrass and Baby Sweetcorn are the girls and Kale, Chicory, Watercress and Mallow are the boys. Mum is Nettle and Butternut's grandmother is aptly named Sage because she is the wise elder of their family.

There is a violent scene in the first chapter of this book I would say it is for readers aged 8+. Blue is angry with Mother Firstfledge and so he raids her nest and takes one of her eggs - his actions are truly awful and brutal. After a few more weeks the other eggs - three of them - do hatch and Piper, one of the new young birds, is determined to show forgiveness. Piper loves the way Butternut tells stories and they quickly become firm friends even though this is not usually allowed - friendship between species. 

One evening a young fawn catches her leg in the roof of the burrow. Her name is Winsome and she is badly hurt. Butternut lives her life in fear of 'what if' but Piper convinces her they need to go out late at night and find the hurt fawn and offer their help. Piper is also sure there is a way to help Blue - surely there is a deeper reason why he is such a bully. Oh, and Butternut also has to overcome her fear and take the test that all her siblings have had to do, learning to cross the busy road and avoid being squashed by a car. 

Here are some text quotes to give you a flavour of the story and storytelling advice:

"Everyone in Milkweed Meadow still talks about the rescue, and if you stop hopping around like a kit that's found a banana slice, I'll tell you the story."

"Mother encourages strong beginnings. 'Snare them!' ... I suppose that's what a good story does. It digs into your skin like a silver wire and holds you in its grasp."

"Stories matter.  Interesting characters. A thorny conflict. A wood-gnawing climax. Details that let you smell and taste and touch."

"I wanted to say that he had me all wrong. That I was the most fearful and timid rabbit in my colony. That with the way my mind worked, every trunk in the forest would become a wolf, every twig a snake. But saying these things our loud would make them come true. There was a part of me that wanted to imagine that I could be brave. That I could tame my mind's brambles to help the fawn."

"If you ignore the creatures that can make a midnight snack out of you, then the forest at night is an enchanted setting for a story."

"Helping a creature is a good reason to take a risk. Isn't that what so many of our stories tell us to do? To help others?"

Blurb from author page: Apprehensive by nature, Butternut the rabbit believes the warnings she’s heard from her mother and grandmother. Egg-laying birds are inferior species. Deer bring ticks. Coyotes are terrifying predators. Only rabbits have the smarts to practice strategies for survival and to tell stories that entertain and inspire. In Milkweed Meadow, all species do best when they remain focused on their own kind. When the bully of the meadow, a jay named Blue, steals a treasure of her burrow and compels her to scale a trellis to retrieve it, Butternut forms an unlikely friendship with an irrepressible robin nestling, Piper, and later with Winsome, a deer fawn whose leg injury is a blow to her vanity. For the first time, the dangerous and fun adventures the friends have make Butternut question her elders’ teachings—and whether holding on to old prejudices truly makes creatures safer and happier. When the trio discovers creatures in crisis, their compassion is tested: Do they forsake the creatures or attempt the most daring rescue ever to take place in Milkweed Meadow, one that will require the help of multiple species, including the young humans that live in the adjacent house?

Here are some detailed teachers notes. Listen to a five-minute audio sample. This book also contains a map of Milkweed Meadow. 

This enchanting animal adventure is made up of a series of interconnected short stories. In a beautiful narrative voice, and brought to life by Salati’s charming black-and-white illustrations, Butternut describes her own storytelling process. School Library Journal

This chapter book has a relatively rare and welcome level of depth, and the strong narrative voice, ecological awareness, and themes around the value of connection and community will call to many readers. Horn Book

Awards for The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow

• A 2024 Massachusetts Book Award Honor Book
• An ALA Notable Book
• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Book
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2023
• A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of 2023 with Outstanding Merit
• A 2023 Booklist Editors’ Choice
• On Vermont’s 2024-5 Golden Dome Book Award List

Here is the sequel which was published in 2024:

Companion books:

Cress Watercress

Heartwood Hotel (there are four books in this series)

Appleblossom the Possum

The Legend of Podkin On-Ear

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria

Kirkus relate The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow to this book Toaff's Way which I once have on my to-read list. Sadly there is no ebook version but Amazon do have a new copy for - gasp! AUS$140! I do find it odd that this book didn't really reach us here in Australia - Cynthia Voigt is such a famous author. I talked about this previously here. 

Meet Toaff: a lovable squirrel, and new standout character, searching for a place to call home in this gem of a story by a Newbery Medal-winning author. Toaff is a small squirrel full of big questions. Why must I stay away from the human's house? Why shouldn't I go beyond the pine trees? Why do we fight with the red squirrels across the drive? His sister shrugs--that's just the way things are. His brother bullies--because I said so. And the older squirrels scold--too many questions! Can Toaff really be the only one to wonder why?When a winter storm separates him from his family, Toaff must make his own way in the world. It's a world filled with danger--from foxes and hawks and cats to cars and chainsaws. But also filled with delight--the dizzying scent of apple blossoms, the silvery sound of singing, the joy of leaping so far you're practically flying. Over the course of a year, Toaff will move into (and out of) many different dreys and dens, make some very surprising friends (and a few enemies), and begin to answer his biggest questions--what do I believe and where do I belong?

You can see other books illustrated by Doug Salati here. 

Little Rabbit's Big Surprise by Swapna Haddow and Alison Friend

Little Rabbit is looking for something to do. Big Rabbit, her grandfather, invites Little Rabbit to tag along. He has work to do. First off they visit the Mole family. Mole is planning a big party for Little Mole but he is worried no one will want to come along because their new tunnel is so dark. The next stop is Granny Hedgehog. She is unwell with a bad cold and feeling a little miserable. Then Big Rabbit and Little Rabbit see a family of tiny dormice who are struggling to manage they little children and find food and make a new nest from twigs. Finally the pair of rabbits visit Squirrel. She has broken her leg and cannot collect food for her young family.

Big Rabbit is a problem solver. When Little Rabbit wakes up the next day she finds a list - shiny paper, twigs and flowers. Are they going to make a kite? No, each of these things can be used to help their friends in ways that are sure to amaze and surprise your young reading companion.

This is a book you could equally read aloud to a very young child (aged 3+) and later give this book to an older child (5+) who is learning to read.

Here is the web site for Swapna Haddow. Alison Friend has illustrated many books including the Sparks series about Maggie and her horse Bramble which are perfect for young horse lovers. 

I really love this series but I am a bit uncertain about what they are called. The publisher is Little Tiger so the library I visit each week use this as the series name but inside the book they are also called Stripes and some booksellers and the publisher call them Colour Fiction. 

I highly highly recommend this splendid series. If you used to have Aussie Nibbles, Young Colour Puffin books or the Banana book series in your school library these could replace your older books, which may be looking a little worn out.  I have read lots of books from this series and every story is so satisfying and the colour illustrations are just perfect. Here are some others:

Check out my posts about:

The Long way Home

Little Bird Lost

Two Sides

The books in the Colour Fiction range from Little Tiger Group are perfect for newly independent readers aged 5 and up, especially those still struggling to find their feet. Those in search of both a meaty story and the vivid illustrations you find in a picture book. The illustrator is credited alongside the author on the cover – pictures mean business, after all. The books celebrate collaboration, exploration and extraordinary acts of kindness, challenging stereotypes and empowering children.

Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire illustrated by David Litchfield

Cress, along with her mother and baby brother Kip, need to leave their home and seek a new place to live. Her father has disappeared and may never return. Mama has negotiated with Mr Owl, who is the landlord of a run-down apartment tree called Broken Arms. Cress, Mama and Kip can move into the lowest level as long as they can find the rent of ten dead moths each day. The building houses a myriad of characters. The Super is a nosy mouse. On another level there is a family of squirrels who have four wild children and near the top live a pair of songbirds who like to share all the gossip. 

Danger is always close. There is a huge honey bear called Tunk and the threat of a snake, who we never see but constantly feel is close, called the Final Drainpipe.  Adding to the mayhem as Cress, Mama and Kip make their journey to Broken Arms they meet a skunk named Lady Agatha Cabbage and her pet/captive chinchilla. Lady Cabbage is not exactly sinister but she is slightly dangerous. I also need to mention Kip's comfort toy - Rotty which is a soft toy carrot!

As the story unfolds we see Cress adjusting to her new life and testing the limits of her mother's patience. Each day brings new adventures, some quite exciting. Over the year Cress discovers so much about herself, about growing up and she gains an awareness of the way others react to events. She also explores her new environment and finds a way to share her true talent which is kindness. 

The production values of this book are simply wonderful. My hardback copy has a dust jacket and under the dust jacket the cover is different - a tiny gold silhouette of Cress herself. The end papers are also, as you would expect, perfect. They show the weaving done by Cress's mother. This book has 35 very short chapters and rich digital full page illustrations. 

David Litchfield explains his process: I like to experiment with textures a lot, so a big part of the process was taken up with making a mess with watercolour paints and just creating a lot of interesting and colourful washes to use as backgrounds and overlays. I also took a lot of close-up photographs of things like tree bark and sunsets. Once I had collected these many textures, I scanned them all into my computer and spent a fair bit of time experimenting with overlaying them with each other and just playing around with them. 

See more art from this book here

Here is an audio interview with the author. If you listen the presenter begins by reading the blurb. Here is a School Library Journal chat with Gregory Maguire and David Litchfield. 

Maguire’s narrative offers wry puns, rich vocabulary, and entertaining dialogue, and Litchfield’s glowing, slightly stylized, full-color illustrations present an enchanting, magical peek into this woodland world. ... Warmhearted and utterly charming. Kirkus Star review

With its brisk plot, witty details, and thought-provoking concepts, this gloriously illustrated chapter book makes an ideal read-alone or family read-aloud. Horn Book

This story has a Wind in the Willows flavour, characters that reminded me of the guys in Skunk and Badger and perhaps a slight feel of The Mouse and his Child. Commentators mention EB White and while I cannot link this book with Stuart Little I can link it to The Trumpet of the Swan.  Companion reads:

This is the first book in a series

This is the first book in a series of four

Heartwood Hotel book One

Mouse's Wood by Alice Melvin

See inside this book here

The story follows Mouse, who first ventures out in wintry January to visit his friend Squirrel. Mouse moves on to wake up Hedgehog for the arrival of spring and as he continues along the path in the wood, Mouse’s journey from friend to friend maps out the changes in seasons from January through to December, from picnicking among the bluebells with Mole in May and picking berries with Dormouse in June, to taking refuge in Fox’s cozy caravan as winter draws in. Thames and Hudson

When I saw the inside of this book on the Gleebooks Kids Instagram page I just knew it would be special and that it would be a book I just could not resist adding to my bulging shelves. Yesterday my friend and I spent a fun hour or two exploring the offerings of this splendid Sydney bookstore. We found lots of treasures and of course as you can see from this post I was able to see and then purchase Mouse's Wood.

In her Instagram post the bookseller said:

The trouble with working in a bookshop is I pretty much have a new favourite book Every. Single. Day! So forgive me if you hear me start preaching… “oh, have I shown you my new favourite?"   Which just so happens to be the new @alicemelvin experience, Mouse’s Wood. I am a massive fan of Alice’s work, they are not just beautiful picture books to read and delight in, but a completely immersive experience. The second you step inside any of her gorgeous books, you are transported into an imaginary world through secret little doors and hideaways; so much detail, so many glorious and magical places to visit. In Mouse’s Wood, we go on a journey through the woods to visit Mouse’s many woodland friends, peeking inside their cosy houses and learning about northern hemisphere seasons. Alice spent a year sketching from nature and observing the plants and animals in local habitats resulting in a divine mix of nature and imagination. ... such wonderful paper craft to lift and look behind…so you will just have to pop in to see Alice’s beautiful books in-store. I will be the one holding up this little masterpiece and shouting “oooh, can I show you my new favourite!” 

Oddly when I enquired about this book in the shop yesterday the younger bookseller (not the person who penned this post) had not seen the post about this book. Luckily she quickly located two copies on their shelves.

I agree with the reviewer who said: 

Delightful, whimsical, magically wonderful with secret doors to explore - Alice Melvin has given us a real treat.

Mouse's Wood is perfect for fans of Brambly Hedge and for slightly older readers try to find the Heartwood Hotel four book series by Kallie George illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 

Alice Melvin's work reminds me of art by the talented Louise Pfanner especially her two books Louise builds a House and Louise Builds a Boat and her sweet book Little Lucie's Diary. 

You can see some of Alice Melvin's work here.  Alice also designs greeting cards (I would love to have some of these). Here are some previous books by Alice Melvin including a set of four board books:

Here is an interview where Alice talks about this book