Once more, I’ve been so busy with so many things that I haven’t had the time to read much or write. Each day, I spend such a large chunk of time planning what to do during my reading and writing sessions that I end up unwinding by doing something that rests my eyes, instead of taxing them some more! But picture books are an exception, aren’t they?
One Ted Falls Out of Bed
One Ted Falls Out of Bed by Julia Donaldson and Anna Currey is a book about numbers written in a way that only Julia Donaldson can carry off. I am not usually a fan of books that also teach you something, but this one is such an imaginative adventure that I loved it! One teddy bear, two eyes, three mice … This midnight escapade is lovely from start to end.
Sadiq Wants to Stitch
I’ve wanted to read Sadiq Wants to Stitch written by Mamta Nainy and illustrated by Niloufer Wadia for a while now, especially because I love Niloufer Wadia’s illustration style. I picked up Why Is My Hair Curly? because of her illustrations, and I loved her work in Flying with Grandpa. Sadiq Wants to Stitch didn’t disappoint me either!
The story was simple and believable, reminiscent, in some ways, of The Elves and the Shoemaker. Perhaps the change in the mother’s attitude towards her son’s love for stitching is a little too sudden and convenient, but I cannot deny that I enjoyed it! Sadiq knows he wants to stitch; what could be more important to him than his mother’s support?
Bear Snores On
I adore books in rhyme and Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman is such a delight! I also have a soft spot for books about unlikely friendships, so this one is a win on that front too.
On a wintry evening, several animals discover the bear’s lair. Together, they light a little campfire and have a party as the bear snores on. But when the bear wakes up … oh, I chuckled with delight!
The Night Monster
I wonder if there’s anyone who has never been scared of the dark. Somehow, I think not, which is what makes The Night Monster by Sushree Mishra and Sanket Pethkar a book that I think would have universal appeal. It is a heart-warming story about little Avi, who is terrified of the howling, hooting monster that creeps in after dark. Drawing the monster does not help. So, Avi’s sister suggests that he should write a letter to the monster.
The monster writes back, and Avi is surprised, but his fear takes a while to disappear.
I’ve loved epistolary novels for as long as I can remember, but this is the first one I’ve read for this age group, and it was such a treat! A huge bonus for me was the bond between Avi and his sister – sibling bonds are always precious.
My No, No, No Day
All of us have grumpy, tantrummy days, days when we just don’t feel like doing anything. They’re days when everything goes wrong and even things we liked earlier are no longer fun.
My No, No, No Day by Rebecca Patterson is about one such day, a day when things go wrong because you want to be angry and irritable and upset with the world. I love the patience in this story and the sense that even after the worst of days, things can get back to normal and you can be happy again!
After everything I’ve read on StoryWeaver in the last month and these picture books, it really seems as if it’s going to be a year of picture books and chapter books, much more than the middle grade and young adult I usually veer towards!
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