Picture Books

Yummy. My Favourite Nursery Stories

By Lucy Cousins

Walker Books, 2009

Hardback $39.99 – ISBN 9781406316216

The bright yellow cover of this treasury of nursery stories features a hungry wolf in striped trousers and the startled Little Red Riding Hood and it’s completely irresistible. It’s a big book with super-sized, boldly coloured illustrations that don’t hesitate to show the scary stuff. There’s just enough scariness to provide the necessary thrill, and some giant painted text to emphasise on occasion. Stories included are Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Henny Penny, Goldilocks, The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs and The Musicians of Bremen. Totally terrific!

A Right Royal Christmas

By Lucy Davey

Illustrated by Donovan Bixley – Scholastic 2009

ISBN 9781869438449 – Paperback $19.95

It’s Christmas morning and Princess Claire wants to spend Christmas with just her parents, but people keep knocking on the door – their Christmas celebrations have all been ruined by one disaster or another. Princess Claire insists “We haven’t got room, not even for ONE!”, but her parents set a good example and make everyone welcome. When a young man and his pregnant wife arrive Princess Claire finds out what it really means to enjoy Christmas. The rhyme and delightful vocab make this a great read-aloud for the festive season, and a timely message about sharing. 4+.

Aunt Concertina and Her Niece Evalina

By Paula Green

Illustrated by Michael Hight – Random House, 2009

ISBN 9781869790110 – Hardback $34.99

Go on an amazing adventure around the world with Aunt Concertina and her Niece Evalina. This sophisticated picture book has extensive, poetic text, making it a delicious read-aloud, and the intricate illustrations will also warrant leisurely examination. Aunt Concertina loves to spend time in junk shops but her niece wants to go on adventures. One day they find a kite which takes them off on their adventures around the globe. The text encourages you to consider what the next location will be and the illustrations reveal each in glorious detail.

Reviewed by Crissi Blair. Crissi Blair lives with her family in west Auckland and spends her time reading and writing, mostly about children’s books. Crissi organised the Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators for three years and publishes the useful guide New Zealand Children’s Books in Print which is updated every year. www.silvertone.co.nz