Peeking At Picture Books – August 2020 (Part One)

As children move from Board Books to Picture Books is a huge milestone in the journey to becoming a fluent reader, and one that reads for pleasure, it gives me such joy to bring attention to titles that will definitely grab younger audiences’ attention from the get go, make them laugh and smile, ensure they think about what they hear and see from each book, and that they go away having enjoyed themselves. All of those are hugely important as we look to help children make reading a key part of their daily routine.

Now You See Me Now You Don’t

• Publishing on 6th August 2020 by Little Tiger
• RRP – £11.99 (Hardback)

Introducing younger readers to Chameleons through rhyming text and incredible illustrations that tell of how one cheeky Chameleon goes around avoiding doing chores and bedtime routines, instead choosing to spend his time pranking the other animals around him because he can blend into the environment around him and thus not be seen to be held accountable! What Chameleon doesn’t know is that Frog is well hidden too, and watching his every move! When Frog then gives the colour changing lizard a taste of his own medicine he is quick to see the error of his ways! A great way to get younger audiences thinking about positive behaviour and attitude.

Slow Down, Monkey! – Jess French and Eefje Kuijl

• – Publishing on 6th August 2020 by Buster Books
• RRP – £ 6.99 (Paperback)

With lyrical text and gorgeous detailed illustrations to compliment, this is one beautiful title to share with younger readers who will delight in hearing how Monkey has his birthday and preparations are well under way for a party later on, except they aren’t to Monkey’s liking as he speeds from one friend to another checking their progress. It is after speaking with Sloth that Monkey slows down, and in doing so is able to pay attention to the beauty that surrounds him and all that it has to offer – which happens to be everything needed to ensure he has a party to remember with the friends that he loves, which all that really matters. Aa brilliant book to share with younger children that could often do with taking a pause before getting on with their day.

I Like Trains – Daisy Hirst

• Published on 23rd July 2020 by Walker Books
• RRP – £12.99

Celebrating how much a child loves trains in their many different forms, be it toys, drawings, play equipment themed like trains, or real life trains to enjoy a journey on. This is a brilliant adventure story timelining a child going from playing with his toys to being able to enjoy train themed play equipment with his grandma having taken a journey on a train with their mum. Combining using your imagination to strengthen play experience with spending time with family members, this is an utterly fantastic feel good story.

Ellie’s Dragon – Bob Graham

• Published on 9th July 2020 by Walker Books
• RRP – £12.99 (Hardback)

Ellie finds a baby dragon one day during a supermarket visit with her mum and takes it in, giving it a home in her dolls house, enjoying the companionship the dragon provides. Ellie’s mum doesn’t see the baby dragon, and neither does her teacher, but her friends do and they love him just as much. Delighting in seeing dragon grow as she does, the bond between the pair strengthens, but when Ellie gets older still she starts to see and think of dragon less and less, until one day he is gone, finding a home with another child looking for a friend. This is a beautiful story celebrating imagination, friendship and growing up.

Found You – Devon Holzwarth

• Published on 2nd July 2020 by Alison Green Books (An Imprint of Scholastic)
• RRP – £6.99 (Paperback)

This is such a beautifully written, feel good story about a little bird making a huge difference to a young boy called Sami’s life when she enters his life during his trip to the park, and shows him how many potential friends there are in the world if you just look, before giving him a final little nudge to making a brand new friend. Given that the boy has recently moved to the area and is evidently lonely at school as well as outside of it, there is even more significance to the achievements he makes then normal, and it really gives you goosebumps to witness his journey through this powerful story with its gorgeous illustrations too. Little bird doesn’t stop with Sami, and quickly finds another child in need of her help, making this a story that leaves younger readers thinking of what would happen next.

Be sure to check out other Peeking at Picture Book posts on my blog to date, and come back for more suggestions later into the month as I continue to enjoy sharing the brilliant titles entering the world of children’s literature.