Squares & Other Shapes

Squares & Other Shapes with Josef Albers (Phaidon) HB RRP $14.95 

ISBN 9780714872551

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

Focused on Albers’ modern series Homage to the Square, the second book in the First Concepts with Fine Artists series, Squares & Other Shapes, introduces young readers to shapes. From wobbly rectangles to sunny side up squares and bouncing circles, the most basic shapes are highlighted within Albers’ modern masterpieces.

Seeing various types of shapes in different formats creates a unique learning opportunity for the youngest readers. Squares sit within squares, circles come in many colours and sizes and triangles are oblong as well as flattened to reinforce the concepts of shapes. In addition, the back page with facts about Josef Albers life allows adults to expand on the lesson with information about the artist and his art.

These early concept board books are the first two in the First Concepts with Fine Artists series from Phaidon featuring famous artists and their art. It’s fantastic to see beautiful artwork re-imagined in a context suitable for the youngest eyes and in a way that helps them take their first steps into the art world. The next title in the series entitled Birds & Other Animals with Pablo Picasso will be published in Spring 2017.

Blue and Other Colours

Blue and Other Colours with Henri Matisse (Phaidon) HB RRP $14.95 

ISBN 9780714871325

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

Matisse’s bold use of colours has inspired many artists. In Blue and Other Colours, his collages are brilliantly paired with playful, read-aloud text that draws the child’s attention to specific colours. With a back page full of interesting facts about Matisse’s art and life, parents and carers can expand upon the simple colour lesson introducing children to the artist and his art.

Through simple statements matched with Henri Matisse’s famous art, young readers are introduced to the world of colours. One piece of artwork per page and simple statement such as ‘Ooh, blue and green!’ puts the focus firmly on the colours within the images. Matisse’s abstract cut-outs and range of vibrant colour palette, learning the world of colours just became even more engaging.

Hug This Book!

Hug This Book! by Barney Saltzberg, illustrated by Fred Benaglia

(Phaidon) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN 9780714872841

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

In this delightful picture book, children are invited to imagine all the things you could do with their very favourite book. From reading it upside down to giving it a hug or sharing it with friends, young readers involve their book in an array of situations. There’s almost nothing you can’t do with a book and nowhere a book can’t go!

Sometimes silly, other times thoughtful, the story is both humorous and sincere as it explores the love of a book. With easy-to-read rhymes and appealing retro illustrations, Hug This Book! is a story to read over and over again.

Saltzberg creates a heartfelt ode to books with his clever, whimsical rhymes. While Benaglia’s illustrations are bold and colourful putting the book and its readers at centre stage.

Engaging, simple and satisfying, this charming book will appeal to book-lovers of every age.

Phaidon also provides a wonderful activity pack for early learners aged 3 – 5: http://www.phaidon.com/resource/hugthisbookpack-uk2.pdf.

Undercover: One of These Things is Almost Like the Others

Undercover: One of These Things is Almost Like the Others by Bastien Contraire,

(Phaidon) HB RRP $29.95 ISBN 9780714872506

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

Undercover is a wordless picture book that presents a series of similar illustrations on each two-page spread including one that doesn’t quite belong. Fun abounds as the search for the odd one out can sometimes be a both a challenge and a bit ironic – a plane among bugs, a sole egg in the midst of a dozen birds, a horse on a page of vehicles measured in horse-power.

Created by graphic designer Bastien Contraire, Undercover is a visually stunning, large format, hardcover book with green and pink duotone colours and graphic stencil artwork. This style creates a deceivingly consistent look among the various items creating a puzzling game of hide-and-seek. Children and adults alike are sure to find favourites among the clever collections of images inspiring conversations about various items.

Even after multiple reads, there is always something interesting to discover in this 64-page book. In addition to being entertaining, its contemporary appearance makes Undercover a coffee table worthy children’s book.

Toto’s Apple

Toto’s Apple by Mathieu Lavoie, (Phaidon) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN 9780714872513

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

Meet Toto. He’s a worm. A very determined worm. He wants an apple, but it’s high up in a tree. That won’t stop Toto. He will do anything to get it. Through creative plans and his penchant for art, Toto tries a variety of ideas to get the apple. When Didi shows up and picks the apple, is Toto’s hard work all for nothing? The surprising ending shows that perseverance pays off even if it’s not in a way we expect.

Toto’s Apple tells a unique story aimed at 2 – 5 year-olds. With bold, hand-painted illustrations and sparse text, young readers follow tenacious Toto cheering for him and each of his clever plans. Although commendable, each ends in disappointment, but Toto keeps trying teaching children the importance of commitment and never giving up.  

Author-illustrator Mathieu Lavoie has created a charming, unconventional picture book with an endearing character that is sure to resonate with toddlers. His talent shines as Toto’s emotions are apparent in the slightest changes to eye shape or the direction of Toto’s gaze. So much is communicated in the tiniest details that children can easily recognize. This is a fun, sometimes shocking, sometimes humourous book that is a pleasure to read over and over again.

Cook in a Book: Pancakes! An Interactive Recipe Book

Cook in a Book: Pancakes! An Interactive Recipe Book by Lotta Nieminen, (Phaidon) HB RRP $19.95 ISBN 9780714872827

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

In bold, colourful spreads, Pancakes! takes young readers through the process of making the beloved breakfast food. Simple step-by-step directions of an actual pancake recipe instruct children to pour, measure and stir while the ingenious paper engineering allows little cooks to partake in the (mess-less) process. Children ‘pour’ the flour into the bowl by pulling on a tab and turn a wheel to stir the multi-coloured ingredients into a solid-colour batter. A clever round disc can be removed and ‘flipped’ into the pan to finish cooking, then ‘served’ on a plate.

This interactive board book is gorgeous as well as fun. The vivid colour palette and sparse text is visually appealing. Plus, the chance to see the pages change through direct interaction is incredibly enticing to young children aged 2 – 4. In just sixteen pages, children get the chance to actively participate in making the recipe. In addition, a variety of kitchen tools are used in the recipe subtly teaching children about basic cooking skills. 

Created by renowned illustrator, graphic artist and art director, Lotta Nieminen, Pancakes! is the first interactive recipe book and the first in the Cook in a Book series. If the rest are as compelling and attractive as Pancakes! this will be an awesome series to collect for budding chefs or children of foodies. Highly recommended.