Art’bracadabra
Discover the Magic of Art with a Surprise on Every Page!
Raphaël Garnier
TOUCH, feel and observe closely the mysteries of art with
this magnificent and magical book which invites young readers and budding
artists to explore colour, shapes, perspective and texture. Art’bracadabra – itself a poetic and playful work of art –
is adapted from a series of short films called Mon Oiel (My Eye) displayed at
the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, by renowned modern artist and creative
director Raphael Garnier. Using organic and dreamlike language, Garnier’s show introduced
children to the fundamentals of art in an interactive and child-friendly way. Highly interactive throughout, this sumptuous book includes
different elements on every page, including a pop-up wheel, special inks, flaps
to lift and a variety of textures. Youngsters will love getting hands-on by lifting
flaps, spinning wheels, pulling tabs, marvelling at the pop-ups, and touching
the different textures as they embark on a journey filled with creativity and
discovery. Changing the images helps to unlock the secrets of art and
introduces the ten basic elements and principles of art... the dot, the line,
the shape, the material, the tools, the colour, volume, composition and
perspective. A perfectly imagined and unforgettable art lesson!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £25)
The Call of the Birds
How We Can Help Birds Everywhere
Séraphine Menu and Fleur Oury
TAKE flight with a superbly created and illustrated book
that reveals the unique relationship between humans and birds, from the impacts
made by early settlers right through to the modern-day challenges of climate
change. The Call of the Birds: How We Can Help Birds Everywhere –
translated from the French by Michele Hutchison – is the work of French author Séraphine
Menu, who enjoys exploring how nature and people interact, and is gorgeously
illustrated in vivid colour and rich detail by Fleur Oury who has ‘a very
special place in her heart for nature.’ Both the dodo and the moa have already disappeared from our
world... could the sparrow, the swallow or the robin be next, and what can be
done to save them? In recent years, ornithologists have been sounding the alarm
with bird populations declining all over the world and some species on the
verge of extinction. In recent times in the UK alone, five new species have
been added to the red list of most concern. This timely book helps readers to understand the vital role birds
play in our world by presenting key scientific findings in a clear and
child-friendly way. By offering helpful advice and easy, actionable steps, The
Call of the Birds inspires and empowers future generations to protect our bird
populations. On a wing and a prayer for tomorrow’s world of birds...
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)
The Jellyfish Garden
Explore Their Curious World
Paola Vitale and Rossana Bossù
FROM the deepest, darkest oceans to shallow coastal seas,
warm tropical waters and the cold Arctic Ocean, jellyfish bring colour, mystery
and endless fascination to our underwater world. But what do we really know about jellyfish? Are they
poisonous, can you eat them, is it true that they are immortal, can they really
indicate climate change? Welcome to The Jellyfish Garden – written by Paola
Vitale and exquisitely Illustrated by Rossana Bossù – where the intriguing and
awe-inspiring world of jellyfish is revealed in all its colourful glory. Brought to life by Bossù’s extraordinarily detailed artwork,
and accompanied by Vitale’s treasure trove of information, the Italian pair’s must-have
book is ideal for children who love exploring nature’s star players. Identified
by The Guardian as 2024’s unexpected style icon, jellyfish have been described
as ‘really weird and really beautiful’ and this book reveals both sides of
these fascinating creatures. Discover the enormous lion’s mane jellyfish which featured
in a Sherlock Holmes story, the huge and very poisonous Drymonema dalmatinum,
and the many-ribbed jellyfish which glows in the dark. The beautiful illustrations include cross
sections, top views and elegant graphics, all providing a visual feast. There
is also a jellyfish spotter’s guide, the anatomy of a jellyfish, the importance
of jellyfish in a biodiverse ecosystem, and an in-depth look at their varying
superpowers, not least their ability to self-heal and to glow in the dark. The final pages detail the Turritopsis nutricula, also known
as the immortal jellyfish, which appears to have the ability to regenerate
itself, a fitting tribute to a book that itself captures the endless appeal of
these amazing underwater creatures!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)
Tiger, It’s Snowing!
Daishu Ma
LOVE might make the world go round but friendships are the
glue that keeps us all together! And what could be more heartwarming than the
wintry tale of the very special bond between a little girl and a tiger? Tiger, It’s Snowing! is a gorgeous, snow-filled picture book
from Daishu Ma, a London-based Chinese illustrator and graphic artist whose work
expresses her keen interest in science and nature, and is the first book in an
enchanting new series starring two lovable characters, Tiger and Mei. Mei’s exuberant Tiger wants to play in the snow but Mei
isn’t quite so sure. It’s cold and it’s wet! But Mei soon changes her mind when
she tastes delicate snowflakes for the first time, makes fresh footprints in
the pristine snow, and enjoys a fun snowball fight with Tiger. As the day draws
to a close, the good friends return to the warm embrace of home – a perfect
conclusion to a day filled with wonder and delight. Little ones will love joining this delightful duo as they welcome
every new day, navigate fresh experiences, solve problems and enjoy a world
full of fun, adventure and friendship, and still manage to get home in time for
tea... tea for two, that is!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
A Little Sailing Lesson
Sara Stefanini
LIFE'S ups and downs can sometimes make little ones feel all
at sea... so steer them to calmer waters with this comforting and poetic
picture book which makes clear that what matters most is the voyage and not the
destination! A Little Sailing Lesson – created by author and illustrator Sara
Stefanini who was born in Sorengo, Switzerland – is a perfect reflection of the
old adage that not all of life is plain sailing. Aldo is an experienced sailor
and knows that the first thing to do when sailing is to set a destination... a
destination that can be reached even though there will be unexpected challenges
and a level of ingenuity required along the way. As Aldo says, you will always
get somewhere! Little ones will be more than happy to climb aboard with
Aldo and his young companion in this gentle story of resilience and
adaptability which blends Stefanini’s enchanting artwork with a beautifully a
simple text full of words of encouragement for any young ‘sailor’ unsure of
life’s ebb and flow. Don’t miss the boat!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Who Ate the Little Bug?
Hector Dexet
WHO ate the little bug? Not me, not you, so who? French
author and illustrator Hector Dexet has fun with a funny and playful board book
that has been ingeniously created for curious little hands and eyes! Dexet, who creates books which are designed to surprise and
awaken the curiosity of youngsters by adding interactive elements, asks young
readers to guess who ate the little bug. Was it the polar bear? The pelican?
The lion? The snail? A gallery of colourful animals all deny their involvement
right through to the delightfully funny twist at the end. With a succession of holes that get smaller and smaller, tiny
tots will love getting their hands on this bold and engaging book. Each vivid
double-page spread features a different brightly coloured animal, introducing
children to a whole spectrum of colour and creatures whilst fostering a joy of
reading. With giggles guaranteed at the final turn of the page, and robust
enough to withstand the attentions of the most enthusiastic little hands, Who
Ate the Little Bug? will be consumed over and over and over again!
(Post Wave Children’s
Books, board book, £9.99)