It's only as I was looking back at all the wonderful books I read in 2023 that I realised that five of my favourite picture books and early chapter books were Hook Books! I love the series, and I'm always excited to read new additions to it.A usual, I begin my list with a disclaimer - not all the books that feature in this list and the ones that follow were published in 2023. I just happened to read them in 2023. One difference this time, however, is that I received many review copies last year, so an overwhelmingly large number were actually published last year too! Here are my top six for ages six and under (though, of course, I'm not under six, but I loved these books anyway!). What Feelings Do When No One's LookingWhat Feelings Do When No One's Looking was the very best kind of birthday gift. It's a book I would not have bought for myself, but one that I treasure, not … [Read more...]
Four Hook Books
At a workshop recently, I showed participants a few hOle books and Hook Books. I had Malhar in the Middle (one of my favourites), The Clockwala's Clues (because how could I not?), Cyrus the Whyrus (a delightful new Hook Book) and Passepartout, Is That You? (because I love how readers are active participants in the hunt for Passepartout).And not one of the teachers in the room had heard of either series. This made me realise (again) how much we need to leave reviews and talk about books we read! Wet Paint 4/5 Wet Paint, written by Asha Nehemiah and illustrated by Chetan Sharma, is a sweet, fun book. The illustrations are especially delightful: even on the cover, I love Paru's shiny, bright eyes! The enthusiasm and energy we see there take us through the twists and turns of a story about finding something … [Read more...]