Picture books – they’re not just for little kids

Our library has acquired a large range of picture books over the years. Some are very clearly directed towards our younger readers (for example Who Sank The Boat?  and Where Is The Green Sheep?) but many are definitely for older readers (The Watertower and Fox, which always makes me cry)

Some new books on our shelves are suitable for a wide range of readers however. They are clever, funny and beautifully produced.

First cab off the ranks and clear favourite with all classes is The Day the Crayons Quit. Imagine you opened your crayons to do some colouring and found nothing but a stack of letters addressed to you? The crayons are cranky and they want change!

“Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown. Blue needs a break from coloring all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking to each other.” – from Goodreads

A hilarious book, written by Drew Dewalt and illustrated by the very clever Oliver Jeffers.

Another favourite is Goldilocks and the  Three Dinosaurs by the inestimable Mo Willems.

It brings a fresh (and delicious!) new twist to the Goldilocks story, introducing three hungry dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur and a dinosaur who just happened to be visiting from Norway. Great fun, great reading.

Maude the Not-So Noticeable Shrimpton is a new book  by Lauren Childs, the author of perennial favourites the Clarice Brown and Ruby Redfort series.

It is a cautionary tale about how sometimes, just sometimes, it’s good to blend  in to the background.

Finally we have a book without words: Journey.

Journey

“Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.” – Goodreads

Journey takes us on a wondrous journey with beautiful, elegant and intricate illustrations. And not a word said.

Better get cracking if you want to borrow them!