Great Picture Book

If you have a favourite picture book, visit my blog and tell me about it. I might put it on this page or feature it on a future installment of Bookmarks!

Mattland by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert

Illustrated by Dusan Petricic

This lovely picture book works for young children on so many levels: it is about moving and adapting to a new home, the joys and comforts of a child's imagination, and the importance of community. When Matt moves to his fourth new home in what looks like a new subdivision still under construction, the muddy ground becomes "Mattland". He is joined by another little girl who shyly helps him add elements to his little kingdom - and when Mattland is threatened by a natural disaster, he finds a whole community of children ready to help save it. What a wonderful message about the role of the global community in helping countries in crisis! Dusan Petricic's illustrations progress from dark colours to light colours and work very well with the story.

Chester by Melanie Watt

Kids Can Press            $18.95

Ages 4+

 

Chester is another hilarious picture book by Blue Spruce award winner, Melanie Watt. Young readers who are probably familiar with her zany Scaredy Squirrel books will love this new character – a fat orange cat with an ego the size of the CN Tower.

Poor Melanie Watt is only trying to write a story-book about a cute little mouse. But her cat, Chester, has other plans! He insists on becoming the hero of the story -everything must be about HIM!  No matter how many times Melanie tries to reclaim her picture book, Chester keeps barging right back in again, drawing his own illustrations and writing odes to his own superiority. Chester is so certain that he is creating a masterpiece that he has even reserved a “Place My Award Here” spot on the cover of the book.

In spite of Chester’s efforts (or because of them?), Melanie Watt succeeds in creating an uproariously funny story matched with colourful and engaging illustrations. Children are going to love Chester – almost as much as he loves himself!

 

Other fantastic picture books that our Bookmarks Reporters have recommended:

 

Gretzky's Game by Mike Leonetti

Mr. Fine, Porcupine by Fanny Joly

 

What Happened to Aunt Cordelia by Elizabeth Best

 

When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins

 

A Child’s Book of Poems edited  and illustrated by Gyo Fuzikawa

 

Robert Munsch:

            Purple Green andYellow

            Andrew's Loose Tooth

            Something Good

            I’m So Embarassed

 

I Love You More by Laura Duksta

 

Nothing to Do by Douglas Wood

 

 

The Birdman by Veronica Martinova Charles

 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak