Kate Greenaway, Freya Blackwood, Harry and Hopper

The 2010 Kate Greenaway Medal winner was Australian illustrator Freya Blackwood.  The text of the book was written by Margaret Wild.  The story is about a young boy, Harry, and the  effect the death of a much loved pet, Hopper,  has on him and his family.  It is sad, of course, but so beautifully done that it is very heart warming. The story draws on Blackwood’s own experience of her family’s dog when she was a child.  Though this is the perfect book to give a child when such an event occurs, it should be looked at by a much wider audience than that.  Paperback, $16

Leo the Littlest Seahorse

Potbelly and Polly are preparing to be parents. Potbelly keeps fit, eats a balanced diet and when the babies are finally born, there are one hundred new healthy little sea horses on the coral reef. And then there is Leo. Leo is very little, the littlest in fact. His tail won’t curl, his fin won’t flutter and his eyes won’t swivel. When a big groper swoops past their home, the new family has to swim to safety. Potbelly and Polly are soon worried when they realise Leo is nowhere to be found. The entire family start the search – is Leo lost forever? Or could he just be hiding?…

Margaret Wild’s story is very sweet and has a lovely message. Terry Denton’s illustrations are cute, colourful and the perfect accompaniment. Recommended for babies and up. HB $24.95

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Harry & Hopper

Having just won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal 2010, this beautiful picture book is a bookshelf must.

Harry and Hopper do everything together. Ever since Hopper was a bouncy puppy, he has been at Harry’s side. When they are young, Harry teaches Hopper how to catch a ball and fetch his lead. As they get a little older, Hopper helps Harry with his homework and Harry helps Hopper disappear at bath time. Then one day, Hopper isn’t there anymore.

Margaret Wild’s Harry & Hopper (PB $16)  is a touching story about love and loss and moving on. Freya Blackwood’s illustrations are simply perfection.

Top Ten becomes Top Fifteen

After the great success of our top tens for various age groups, we’ve recently had people telling us they’ve already got them all! So, as mentioned previously we’re adding to our tens, so here is the first Top Fifteen, Board Books for Babies.

New Titles

Frog Cloth Book

Kiss Kiss by Margaret Wild

It’s Useful to Have a Duck by Isol

Picture This by Alison Jay

Cuddle Time by Libby Gleeson

Existing Ten

Time For Bed by Mem Fox; The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle; Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins; I Went Walking by Sue Machin; Peepo! By Janet & Allan Ahlberg; Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen; Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox; Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox; Baby Touch: Animals

Keep an eye out for the next age groups coming soon.