Yes, this post is about five picture books I read last week, but Giggi and Daddy is special, so special that I think it’s probably one of my favourite picture books of all time! I bought a bunch of books at Pickle Yolk Books’ birthday sale and ah! I could read all of them over and over again.
And on that note, if you haven’t yet had a look at their sale yet, do. It is on right through the month of October.
Of my treasures, I read The Tree Boy first. I was intrigued by the title and the illustrations, plus, the writer is a friend. I’ve read and loved several of her other books – It’s a Laddoo Party! on StoryWeaver is one that I’ve used multiple times during workshops, I attended the launch of her award-winning The Clever Tailor … It was time to read another.
And I loved it! The artwork, the layout and the story itself come together to create a gorgeous, fun story that made me chuckle as I turned page after page. It all begins when the team captain tells Sid not to just stand there like a brainless tree. Sid knows he doesn’t want to be a tree, but sometimes, unexpected things happen …
This is the kind of book that I know will give me more each time I read it!
Isn’t the cover of Dance of the Wild beautiful? Right through the book, I loved the artwork. I love how light and shadows work together to show Shilu dancing nangu-pangu! Shilu feels free when she dances naked, like Pirate the cat and like the birds around her.
When Nannu scolds her for dancing nude because she’s a big girl now, Shilu, in turn tells her cat Pirate, ‘you’re a big cat now’. Through Shilu’s eyes we see the joy and innocence of childhood. I love that Shilu’s family is gentle even through all the scolds – for is being nude really shameful? Shilu is a wild child, all because she loves to dance like the animals. And through the book, we smile, for we see things her way.
Little Kroo and Mamma Konga are off to see the world! They see pandas on bamboo shoots and meerkats in the hot Kalahari. As they travel the world together, Kroo sees love in many forms. Mamma Panda won’t let her child fall. Papa Meerkat is training his little one to hunt. Kroo wants to know why Mamma Konga does not love him like that.
And Mamma always has the same reply – not like that, but …
As the story goes on, love, security and safety shine through. Momma Konga does not love Kroo like the penguins, the crocodiles or the polar bears, but she loves him in her own way.
Love Like That has all the ingredients of the most beautiful picture books for children – imagination, colour and warmth.
Gagan is teased mercilessly because he’s not like the other boys. He doesn’t want to stomp on the ants. He doesn’t like stories about battles and wars. He doesn’t like to fight.
His grandfather calls him a chooha and Gagan feels insecure, lonely and sad. Only Mummy seems to accept him as he is – lovely, gentle and brave.
Eventually, Gagan shows the others what it is to be unafraid, and I do like the tale, but I wonder how much the illustrations would have frightened me as a child. There are ghouls, monsters and the dead and though it’s not a ghost story, it can be frightening!
Even with all that, The Unboy Boy challenges stereotypes and I love it for that.
I kept my favourite book for the end. –Giggi and Daddy. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face!
The dedication says: ‘For the girl and the man and their million tall tales’, and that feels like we’re being let into a secret, which is the core of this delightful story.
Daddy is the coolest daddy of all, and it’s time for him to tell his story his way. Giggi, he says, began to grow big in his pocket. But–but–but what about growing in Mummy’s tummy? Giggi wants to know. But Daddy hushes her. It’s his story. His turn. And he’s the coolest daddy of all.
One tall tale leads to another, sparkling and full of fun. Giggi’s daddy is the best! I chuckled my way through the book, devouring page after page and enjoying each one.
Oh, and in the illustrations, I also love The Manic Panic hiding in there! It’s like a little treasure, amidst all the other treasures that make up this gorgeous book!
Whenever I make book lists, I can’t resist sneaking in a couple of extras. Earlier this year, I read by Richa Jha – the award-winning Machher Jhol and the beautiful Boo! When My Sister Died. Seven books from Pickle Yolk and not one has disappointed me.
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