Diane Johns – Page 7 – Diane's Picture Book Favourites

Cheyney McDonnell: Thank you for feeding Freckle

Illustrated by the author

Published by Five Mile, 2020

While the children were growing up, we had a variety of small pets that became part of the family. Hermit crabs, goldfish, guinea pigs and one very large dwarf rabbit called Muffin. She was white, fluffy, adorable and not very smart! Having them looked after while we were on holidays was always on the list of things to do before we headed off to distant hills.

More recently I have had the privilege of looking after a young friend’s strawberry plant (Uncle Barry) while he was on holiday with his family. I was impressed when I received a short note explaining how to care for Uncle Barry. Plants, like animals, need water, sunshine, attention and just the right amount of water and food.

This interactive picture book by Cheyney Mc Donnell is all about looking after Freckle the cat and the reader is the care giver. The dates are marked on the calendar and the house is at the end of a windy road you can trace with your finger.

The key to the house is under the flowerpot and you use it to open the green door. It’s so dark inside that the reader has to clap their hands two times to turn on the light. Freckle’s food is in the cupboard and with the help of some clever flaps and folds, it goes into the bowl for Freckle to eat. Freckle needs a sleep after lunch and afterwards it’s time to play with toys before putting them all away again. Before you go, you just might see where Freckle’s freckle is! And don’t forget to clap two times again to turn off the lights.

The format of this picture book is just right for little hands and the pages are made of thick, durable paper that won’t tear easily while all the flaps and folds are investigated. The illustrations are clear and uncomplicated, complimenting the text and reinforcing the written instructions, which are expressed with kindness and care.

I can highly recommend this picture book for children 1-4 years and below are more suggestions for picture books that encourage physical and imaginative interactivity which is especially helpful for young readers with lots of energy:

How Many Bugs in a Box? A Pop Up Counting Book by David Carter

Wiggle by Doreen Cronin Illustrated by Scott Menchin

I Spy Little Bunnies Jean Marzollo Illustrated by Walter Wick

This Book Just Stole My Cat
by Richard Byrne

The Game of Finger Worms
by Herve Tullet

Plant the Tiny Seed
by Christie Matheson

Don’t Wake the Dragon
by Bianca Schulze
Illustrated by Samara Hardy

Good Morning Yoga: a Pose by Pose Wake Up Story
by Mariam Gates
Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hindler

Animal Alphabet: Slide and Seek the ABC’s by Alex Lluch

Don’t Wake Up the Tiger
by Britta Teckentrup

That’s Not My Robot by Fiona Watt Illustrated by Rachel Wells

Captain Sir Tom Moore: One Hundred Steps

Illustrated by Adam Larkum

Published by Puffin Books, Penguin Random House, London, 2020

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

This wonderful picture book is about Tom Moore and his pledge to walk 100 lengths of his garden before his 100^th birthday to raise funds for all the NHS health workers in the UK. I remember seeing him on TV being knighted by the Queen and thinking that here were two people facing each other, similar in age, having witnessed and lived through almost 100 years of world history. One was royalty and the other an ordinary individual. Both, in their own ways, making and leaving their marks on the world.

Simply by walking, and declaring his intent to raise money, Tom Moore garnered the attention of the world, and reinforced the idea that you are never too old to have an adventure, make a difference and be the change that you would like to see.

In this picture book, the story of Tom’s life is told humbly, and with a sense of humour, and reflects a time gone by when the world was quite a different place. We learn about his love of cooking with his beloved mum and Tom’s passion for racing and riding motorbikes. Tom was 19 when WWII was declared, and he was sent to Burma when he joined up. Fortunately, Tom came home from the war and met Pamela, together they began the next stage of life’s adventures and soon had children of their own. There were many ups and downs, but family and love sustained him through it all. Even in his 90s, Tom made the trip to see Mt Everest, a long-held dream that finally became a reality for him.

Adam Larkum has illustrated this story with gentle humour and grace, enhancing the text and giving us an almost photographic glimpse of the world that Tom knew and lived. Scattered through the story are Tom’s pearls of wisdom:

“The first step is always the hardest, but unless you take that first step, you’ll never finish.”

“You can do and be anything you want.”

“For those finding it difficult: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away. Remember that tomorrow will be a good day.”

I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years and below I have suggested other picture book biographies that have inspired me:

On a Beam of Light
by Jennifer Berne
Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Born to Fly by Beverley McWilliams Illustrated by Timothy Ide

Wednesday is Jim Day
by Catherine McLeod
Illustrated by Andrea Radley

So She Did: the Story of Mary Wirth by Simi Genziuk
Illustrated by Renee Treml

Miss Franklin by Libby Hathorn Illustrated by Phil Lesnie

Anne Frank by
Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara Illustrated by Svetlana Dorosheva

The Little Stowaway
by Vicki Bennett
Illustrated by Tull Suwannakit

What Miss Mitchell Saw
by Hayley Barrett
Illustrated by Diana Sudyka

Brush of the Gods by Lenore Look Illustrated by Meilo So

Ned Kelly by Mark Greenwood Illustrated by Frane Lessac

24819508. sx318 — Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Drover by Neridah McMullin Illustrated by Sarah Anthony

The Cat Man of Aleppo
by Irene Latham &
Karim Shamsi-Basha
Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu

Philip Bunting: Give Me Some Space!

Illustrated by the author

Published by Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia, NSW, 2020

A dear friend recommended watching a short YouTube video of Carl Sagan talking about The Pale Blue Dot. In less than 4 minutes, while listening to Carl’s mesmerising voice, the enormity of the universe and our miniscule place in it overwhelmed me. Our vast, diverse world is so small compared to the infinite universe in which we move, spin and exist.

Bringing all of that largeness into a picture book, Philip Bunting has focussed on the cosmic details, the planets in our solar system and how space affects our individual lives, all through the character of young Una.

Una loves space. While she waits to become an astronaut one day, Una makes plans for her first imaginary mission into space to find life and maybe a planet better than Earth! When Una rockets into space, we journey with her through the Solar System learning fun, interesting facts about the planets, travelling all the way to Pluto tucked away in the Kuiper Belt. It is only when Una is as far from Earth as she can be, that she realises the shimmering blue dot in the far distance is actually Earth and that there is no place like it. This unique planet contains all the elements which sustains life: air, water, space, food and living organisms.

“We are all travelling through space, right now! The Earth is our spaceship and it’s the only home we’ve got. It is our mission to take care of the Earth so that we can explore the Universe for light years to come.”

You are so right Una.

Stop Press! Here is some information that I found on Philip Bunting’s website, if you are keen, register for this free event:

On May 19th 2021 (11am AEST), this book will be read simultaneously to over 1 million children across Australia and New Zealand. Better still, Give Me Some Space! will be read live… by an astronaut… from the International Space Station!

For those of us on the ground, I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years and space enthusiasts of any age. Below are more suggestions for picture books about space:

Pete the Cat Out of This World
by James Dean

Eight Days Gone
by Linda McReynolds
Illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke

Tiny Little Rocket
by Richard Collingridge

The First Hippo on the Moon
by David Walliams
Illustrated by Tony Ross

There’s No Place Like Space!
by Tish Rabe
Illustrated by Aristides Ruiz

Charles Santoso: Happy Hippo

Illustrated by the author

Published by Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia, NSW, 2020

You have probably heard that the grass grows greener on the other side of the fence, and you may have also been cautioned to be careful what you wish for. In a world where upended turtles can grant you nine wishes, it would be wise to keep these nuggets of wisdom in mind.

While looking at his reflection in a pond one day, Hippo wishes that there was quite a lot more to what he could see there. I can relate to that! Our reflections don’t always add up to the sum of who we think we are or how we would like to look. When Turtle grants Hippo nine wishes, Hippo eagerly makes the first change and adds a vibrant green shell to his back. Soon, there’s a gorgeous yellow mane, then a handsome long neck, throw in a handy terrific trunk and many more clever and useful additions…and you have a problem! Hippo has gone too far, and he finally realises that all these wonderful attributes on one body are too much trouble. Hippo just wants to be himself again. Fortunately for Hippo, he has one wish left, but what will he do with it?

This is an easy story for younger readers, the illustrations are bright, cute and enhance the text. The story has multiple themes that might help begin a discussion about what it means to be you, appreciating strengths and weaknesses in yourself and others, acceptance and self-love, being open to change and imagining what could be different in your life.

Here are a few more suggestions about picture books where animals take on the characteristics of other animals and become all mixed up. As well, I have included a few stories where animals change as they grow and even become more than what they thought they could ever be:

Giraffes Can’t Dance
by Giles Andreae
Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

Now You See Me Now You Don’t
by Patricia Hegarty
Illustrated by Jonny Lambert

Animals with Tiny Cat
by Viviane Schwarz

Corinne Fenton: One Lone Swallow

Illustrated by Owen Swan

Published by New Frontier Publishing, NSW, 2020

I have been fortunate to visit Italy and stay a few days in Florence. Standing on the rooftop of the hotel one night, we saw great plumes of birds weaving, swirling and soaring in the dusky, velvet afternoon sky. The birds were flying swiftly, and as one, with choreographed elegance over rooftops, dome and piazzas. They reminded me of the great shoals of fish in the ocean, but these birds were pirouetting not in the deep water, but gracefully flying in the autumnal air.

Corinne Fenton’s picture book about one lone swallow has taken me straight back to that magical moment. Beginning with the peel of bells, one lone swallow embarks on a search for her mate who has not returned to their shared nest. Over Brunelleschi’s dome, through cobblestoned streets, under bridges, through arches and over piazzas, the lone swallow searches for him. Finally, at the feet of the massive statue of David, the swallow finds him tangled in shoemaker’s twine. But can she save him before danger arrives?

Using a limited colour palette of browns, greys, purples and blues, Owen Swan has evoked the magic of Italy in this beautifully illustrated picture book. The story itself is elegant and poetic, giving the reader an insight into the drama that can beset a bird, or anyone, on any given day. The lone swallow’s bravery, persistence and ingenuity in this story makes the ending a happy one.

I can highly recommend this picture book for children 2-6 years and below are more suggestions for my favourite picture books about birds:

The Story About Ping
by Marjorie Flack
Illustrated by Kurt Wiese

Birds by Kevin Henkes
Illustrated by Laura Dronzek

A Nest is Noisy by
Dianne Hutts Aston
Illustrated by Sylvia Long

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Laura Carlin

Bird to Bird by Claire Saxby Illustrated by Wayne Harris

There is a Bird on Your Head
by Mo Willems

The Go-Away Bird
by Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Catherine Rayner

Just Ducks! by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino

Make Way for the Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson

On the Wing by David Elliott Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet: No-Bot, The Robot’s New Bottom

Illustrated by the authors

Published by Simon and Schuster, 2020

This is the second story about Bernard the robot by UK authors and artists Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, and once again Bernard is having trouble with his bottom!

It’s a simple, fun and colourful story about friends helping a friend who is in a fix. On the way to the park, Bernard’s bottom starts throwing out sparks and smoke. It’s also making funny noises and might just explode! Monkey, Bear, Bird and Dog all try to find a replacement bottom for poor Bernard, the robot with no-bot.

The bottom they are all looking for needs to be red and small, not too soft and not too hard, not too big and not too smelly. Along the way, Bernard’s friends come up with some silly and inventive suggestions but in the end it’s Bear who saves the day.

This is a fun, light, read aloud story with two very attractive elements…robots and bottoms, which is sure to appeal to almost every pre-schooler! Below are more suggestions for picture books that delve into the fascinating world of bottoms, bums, tushes and poo:

No-Bot: the Robot with No Bottom! by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet

What do they do with all the POO from all the animals at the ZOO?
by Anh Do

The Queen with the Wobbly Bottom by Phillip Gwynne
Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Are You My Bottom?
by Kate and Jol Temple
Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh

The Bum Book by Kate Mayes Illustrated by Andrew Joyner

Bums by David Bedford
Illustrated by Leonie Worthington

Animals Brag about their Bottoms by Maki Saito

Bottoms Up! by Jeanne Willis Illustrated by Adam Stower

Armin Greder: Diamonds

Illustrated by the author

Published by Allen & Unwin, 2020

I have always approached Armin Greder’s work with fear, trepidation and respect.

I have also struggled with the categorisation of his illustrated works as picture books. But, there they are, for all to borrow in the children’s section of the library.

For me, the art is confronting and powerful as Greder tackles complex issues like separatism, repression, exploitation, war, conflict, slavery and the plight of refugees.

Apart from a few paragraphs of dialogue at the beginning and end of Diamonds, the main story is told without words. It is the compelling, razor sharp dialogue between mother and daughter, however, that raises the hairs on my arms.

I have diamonds in my engagement ring. Have I ever wondered where they came from? No. Have I ever asked about which country in the world they were mined or whether the labourers were treated well and fairly paid? No. Would I buy diamonds again or have them bought for me? Not without asking a few questions about provenance and whether the process of the diamonds’ manufacture was without conflict. Could I ever really be sure of the answers?

In this picture book, Gerder has revealed the complex chain of exchange from impoverished mine worker to armed militia to anonymous men in black suits and dark limousines with briefcases full of money, to jewellery makers…ending up eventually in elegant boutiques where a thoughtful purchase of diamond earrings for a beloved partner is transacted in quiet, plush, genteel surroundings.

The story makes me think, and I am left feeling uncomfortable and prodded. There is an afterword by journalist Francesco Boille at the end of the book and a statement by Riccardo Noury, representing Amnesty International Italy. As well, there are two magnificent quotes by past statesmen, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.

I encourage you to read this picture book and share it with young readers who are over 8 years old. Below I have recommended other picture books that deal with confronting issues such as racism, war and repression as well as books about brave people (fictional and real) who have deviated from the well-travelled path:

Malala’s Magic Pencil
by Malala Yousafzai
Illustrated by Kerascoet

We Are All Equal by P.Crumble Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley

Skin Again by Bell Hooks
Illustrated by Chris Raschka

The Rabbits by John Marsden Illustrated by Shaun Tan

I Dissent by Debbie Levy
Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman Illustrated by Caroline Binch

Room on our Rock
by Kate and Jol Temple
Illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

A Different Pond by Bao Phi Illustrated by Thi Bui

Jackie French: Pandemic

Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Published by Scholastic Press, NSW, 2020

The last pandemic that affected many countries in the world was the Spanish Flu, arriving just as the Second World War was ending in 1918. Even though no one is sure where the virus originated, it is likely that soldiers brought it home with them on ships, planes and trains, and the virus spread quickly from person to person, home to home, workplace to workplace, country to country. Masks, quarantine and isolation measures, business closures and a rising death toll were commonplace. It sounds all too familiar doesn’t it?

By the end of 2020 every one of us will have their own story to tell about the way Covid 19 has affected them. For some, it will have been a time of great uncertainty, loss of work, increased stress in relationships and illness. For others, it may have been the catalyst for redefining their work/life balance, granting an unexpected opportunity to pursue new interests and flexibility in an otherwise entrenched lifestyle.

In Pandemic, Jackie French has written about her great grandmother’s tireless efforts to bring food, bunches of flowers, books, magazines and newspapers to people in her community who were in need and isolated from their work and their loved ones during the 1918 outbreak.

Marshalling help from survivors of the infection, whether they were children or adults, Jackie’s great grandmother organised help for farmers who could no longer work the land, milk their cows or collect eggs from their chickens. The story is set in a time gone by, but the heart of it is the same and we can still learn its valuable lesson: that kindness goes a long way on the road to healing and practical help gives people time to recover and get back on their feet again.

Bruce Whatley and Jackie French are a powerhouse team, having worked together on many picture book publications, some of which have focused on the natural disasters that have affected all of us as Australians: Flood (2011), Fire (2013), Cyclone (2016) and Drought (2018).

Amazingly, Bruce Whatley worked on the illustrations for Pandemic whilst quarantining for two weeks in an Adelaide Hotel and the illustrations reflect the limited art supplies he had on hand at the time. The muted colours give the story a historical feel, reminding me of old sepia photographs at the turn of the century.

I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years, it is a gentle and positive introduction to the reality of pandemics. Below are suggestions for further reading on a similar theme:

Windows by Patrick Guest Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley

The Great Realisation
by Tomos Roberts
Illustrated by Nomoco

One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Thomas Moore Illustrated by Adam Larkum

My Hero is You by Helen Patuk Developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health
and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

Coronavirus: A Book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson and Nia Roberts
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Martin Jenkins: Beware of the Crocodile

Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

Published by Walker Books, London, 2019

There is no time like now to be more aware of the importance of biodiversity in our world. All living things, from the tiniest plankton to the mighty blue whale, belong to an interconnected web of life, intricate in its complexity and vital to the health of our planet. Ugly or beautiful, scary or cute, gentle or terrifying, the creatures that live in our natural world deserve to be understood and protected.

Martin Jenkins is a conservation biologist, and he has written picture books which help young readers to understand the behaviours and habitats of some of our most endangered species.

Beware of the Crocodile starts like a conversation, “The main thing about crocodiles is they’re really scary – or least the big ones are. They’ve got an awful lot of teeth.” Jenkins goes on to describe the eating habits of crocodiles, the habitats they live in and how long it takes for them to mature. Surprisingly, female crocodiles are exceptionally good mothers, guarding newly hatched babies for many weeks from predators and other crocodiles.

There is more information about crocodiles at the end of the book and a description of the differences between alligators, caimans and crocodiles. There are web addresses to go to for more information and an index of important words in the text for older readers.

Other picture books by Martin Jenkins include Ape, The Emperor’s Egg, Can We Save the Tiger and Fabulous Frog. This is one of my favourite quotes by him:

When it comes to looking after all the species that are already endangered, there’s such a lot to do that sometimes it might all seem to be too much, especially when there are so many other important things to worry about. But if we stop trying, the chances are that pretty soon we’ll end up with a world where there are no tigers or elephants, or sawfishes or whooping cranes, or albatrosses or ground iguanas. And I think that would be a shame, don’t you? (Can We Save The Tiger?, 2011)

I can highly recommend this picture book for children 2-8 years and below are more suggestions for books that focus on crocodiles, mostly fictional and not so much fact!

Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

The Christmas Crocodile
by Bonny Becker
Illustrated by David Small

The Crocodile Under the Bed
by Judith Kerr

Solomon and Mortimer
by Catherine Rayner

The Unexpected Crocodile
by Kim Kane
Illustrated by Sara Acton

The Monkey and the Crocodile
by Paul Galdone

My Worst Book Ever
by Allan Ahlberg
Illustrated by Bruce Ingman

The Boy and the Crocodile: the legend of East Timor
by Martin Hughes
Illustrated by children from the Familia Hope Orphanage

Peter H. Reynolds: Be You!

Illustrated by the author

Published by Scholastic Australia, NSW, 2020

When my oldest daughter left home at 18 years old, I remember thinking to myself that there were so many things I had yet to tell her. Up until then, life had been full of learning experiences, but so much of it had been busy with the clutter of ordinary day to day living. Eating, sleeping, school, friendships, activities, family…the things that fill our days and calendars. I felt like I had focussed on the small things and not so much on the big things.

This picture book by Peter H. Reynolds starts at the beginning where we all start, babies in a world which we must learn to navigate. But instead of moulding ourselves to fit the world, he encourages us right from the start, to stay true and be ourselves, ready to embrace attributes which will carry us through life.

Each double spread explores a different inspirational quality: be adventurous, be connected, be different, be persistent, be kind, be understanding, be brave. Each precept is accompanied by a short paragraph and an illustration as an example of what it could look like.

I think my favorite spread is Be Brave: Try new things. Take a deep breath and plunge forward into new experiences. It gets easier every time you try. The illustration shows us a young boy peering over the edge of a diving board. You do need to be brave to take that leap into the unknown.

This is an uplifting picture book that reminds us to be the best person we can be as we go out into the world every day and gives us the vocabulary to start a conversation with a small someone you love.

I can highly recommend it for children 2-6 years and below are more suggestions about picture books which explore the themes of self-esteem, self-acceptance, persistence and individuality: