Affirming, Fun Picture Books by Affirm
Picture Books & More
Reviews by Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog
All books reviewed in this survey are published by Affirm Press
There’s something magical happening at Affirm Press. A small independent press, they are absolutely punching above their weight by publishing many of Australia’s best picture book creators (as well as nurturing newcomers) and producing outstanding books of consistently high quality with an ‘x-factor’. They have earned their place as one of Australia’s best picture book publishers.
The following books should be bought, borrowed and read all year round but also make great Christmas gifts.
*****
Neil, The Amazing Sea Cucumber by Amelia McInerney, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford
Among other dream team author/illustrator teams highlighted in this book review survey, the pairing of Amelia McInerney and Lucinda Gifford kicks us off with their collaboration in the hilarious Neil, The Amazing Sea Cucumber.
Who would have thought to write about a sea cucumber? Let alone make it so funny!
The deadpan, laconic voice sets the stage for the humour, “Don’t know why I’m in this book. Books usually just have the cool sea creatures.” And then, “Nothing exciting happens around here and I don’t really do much. Especially since Sandra floated away in the undertow.”
Neil describes himself as looking like a cucumber lying on the bottom of the sea. His stance is often passive but life and action is cleverly shown through his body language and expressive eyes.
There is a side-splitting complication when someone on a boat drops a gherkin overboard and Neil thinks it’s Sandra. When he realises it’s not, he thinks he’s a “dill” and Sandra later tells him she was “in such a pickle”. And the jokes continue …
It made me laugh out loud.
Neil, The Amazing Sea Cucumber is a well-designed, simple graphic novel in picture book form for the very young.
Also read Amelia McInerney’s guest author post about her earlier book Who Fed Zed? at PaperbarkWords blog
And read my review of This Book is a Time Machine written by Tracey Dembo, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford at Books + Publishing.
I’m Your Favourite Book by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
A few collaborations by our next dream team of Maggie Hutchings and Jess Racklyeft follow:
I’m Your Favourite Book is metafictional like another book published by Affirm Press, This Book is a Time Machine. But I’m Your Favourite Book is for the very young.
The book addresses the reader, referring to itself as “I” and “me”. It begins, “I’m your favourite book! And even though page 6 blew away at the beach, and page 10 got dipped in the bath, I’m your favourite book!”
More trials of the favourite book are outlined: “you” (the inferred reader) scribbled on it, dripped jam on it and drew a picture of your sister on it.
But despite the ill treatment, the reader remembers the whole story, is possessive and even obsessive about the book, cries when the book is lost and utterly loves it.
Also read my interview with Maggie Hutchings about her awarded picture book Your Birthday Was the Best! at PaperbarkWords blog
Read my interview with Jess Racklyeft and Claire Saxby about Iceberg at PaperbarkWords blog
The Book for Marvellous Minds by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Also from the stellar team of Maggie Hutchings and Jess Racklyeft is The Book for Marvellous Minds: Stories, Poems, Activities. This is a beautiful, high-quality, generous, gentle compendium that helps children use their imagination and find wonder and awe around them. Mermaids, unicorns and fairies abound.
Some parts of the book are interactive. For example, ‘Float and Flutter’ encourages children to imagine that they are a leaf and the journey it may take. ‘Comfort Creatures’ shows simply how to make a soft comfort creature.
The Book for Marvellous Minds is a very special book. It affirms children whilst helping them develop their minds and imaginations. It is an ideal gift book.
Australia: Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft
Jess Racklyeft has certainly been busy, as seen already (and to follow) in this survey.
Amongst a plethora of other books, she has both written and illustrated the vibrant non-fiction Australia: Country of Colour. This is an effervescent expose of Australia for children. Landscape and living creatures are explored through colour.
Jess brings herself into the book and explains how she grew up in Western Australia and her memories spring from the colours she saw. She references Dorothea Mackellar’s famous poem, My Country, and encourages children to also find colour in nature and immerse themselves in “nature’s paintbox”.
After an insightful, sensory introduction, the book is structured into colours. The ‘Red + Pink’ section begins with Uluru then moves onto the Redback Spider, Crimson Rosella, Tasmanian Waratah, Stuart’s Desert Pea, Quandong and more. ‘Brown + Orange’ begins with Purnululu National Park and is followed by examples of living creatures that include the Frilled Lizard and Superb Lyrebird as well as the Flame Pea, Boab and other plants. ‘Yellow’, ‘Green’ and ‘Blue’ have their own sections; ‘Violet + Purple’ features Bruny Island; and is followed by ‘Black, White + Grey’ with Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) and the Tasmanian Devil, Australian Magpie, Ghost Gum and more.
Australia: Country of Colour is an excellent, original and exciting book. It is also an essential guide and supplement to the other work of Jess Racklyeft. It subtly explains a lot about her ethos and process.
I highly recommend that teachers and teacher-librarians design an illustrator-study around Jess Racklyeft and her work. I realised while preparing this piece that I haven’t seen all of her books but Australia: Country of Colour is an ideal place to start.
Big World, Tiny World: Bush is in the same format as Reef and Forest. Each book has a die-cut foil – of a star, sun and now crescent moon – that ingeniously leads the young child through the natural environment from big to tiny.
Bush begins by acknowledging that children can feel small in the universe but “there are worlds of every size to see, worlds for each and all.” They can look up into space then be amazed at the native Australian land and water animals and creatures closer to home before finding “a smaller world beside that bushland creek. Spot shiny golden beetles and hear chirps and tiny squeaks…”
Also read Jess’s guest author post about Big World, Tiny World: Forest at PaperbarkWords blog
When You’re a Boy by Blake Nuto
When You’re a Boy is Blake Nuto’s debut picture book. As author and illustrator he is ably mentored by Jess Racklyeft.
This is a subtle, poetic story of nature and well-rounded masculinity where the free-wheeling, free-flowing illustrations conjure a sense of freedom.
Blake Nuto is a talent to watch.
You’ve Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils by Bethany Clark, illustrated by Sarah Acton
You’ve Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils is the first picture book by Bethany Clark. Its illustrator, Sarah Acton, is always a star.
This is a quietly exuberant book for babies. Executed in mainly pastel colours, it revels in messy food and fun and culminates in a birthday. One of illustrator Sara Acton’s signatures – a dog appears – to add to the enjoyment. Pitch perfect and highly recommended.
Sara writes perspicaciously about You’ve Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils,
It is a lovely one to share with little ones, celebrating the glorious mess of weaning with lots of opportunities for interaction and learning. It was enormous fun to illustrate and splatter around paint to create the splashes of food! You also wouldn’t be surprised to hear, knowing me, that there is a dog involved too to help hoover up the mess!
Sara Acton is another creator whose impressive body of work should form the basis of an illustrator study.
Also read my interview with Craig Silvey about Runt by Craig Silvey, illustrated by Sara Acton at PaperbarkWords blog
My extensive interview with Sara Acton appeared in Magpies magazine in 2015.
Sam Francisco and the Cat Disco by Sarah Tagholm & Binny Talib
Sam Francisco and the Cat Disco is a rollicking, sensory tale by British-based author Sarah Tagholm and the award-winning illustrator of Hark, It’s Me, Ruby Lee! (written by Lisa Shanahan), Binny Talib whose imitable pictures exceed themselves in bringing the riotous dance to life.
This book reminds me of the classic Crocodile Beat by Gail Jorgensen and Patricia Mullins and a new picture book about a chameleon at a dance, Sebastian Stands Out by Rory H. Mather and Sofya Karmazina. It would be fun to read these books together.
I could go on and on but will finish with a link to my review of The Sydney Harbour Fairy by Deborah Frenkel & Cate James at Books + Publishing
Thank you to Affirm Press for the review copies.
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