Picture perfect for #ChildrensBookWeek

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies (PB £6.99, Simon & Schuster Ltd)

This book is a favourite in our household.  A heart-warming story about a young boy called Noi and a baby whale he rescues.  

Noi lives by the sea with his father who is often away as he is a fisherman.  This tale and the amazing illustrations is a must for any child (or adult) who loves picture books – a modern day picture book classic and one that is chosen many times as a bedtime story.

A follow up has recently been published – The Storm Whale in Winter.  It is just as stunning and continues this tale of friendship.  It’s on our Christmas list!

Oi Dog! by Kes & Claire Gray and Jim Field (PB £6.99, Hachette Children’s Group)

Its prequel Oi Frog!  is one of our most popular picture books both at work (Waterstones) and at home.  The rhyming words and the hilarious and clever illustrations have made it a hit for kids and adults alike.  

A grumpy cat (who sits on a mat) tells a frog to sit on a log because they are the rules.  The frog is not convinced as this would be uncomfortable, leading to laugh out loud explanations from the cat and a brilliant ending.  That is until Oi Dog!  which continues the tale.

Any picture book with lines like -“cheetahs will sit on fajitas” and “elephants will sit on smelly pants!” deserves a place on a child’s bookshelf.

I quite honestly cried laughing when reading Oi Dog! never mind the kids! Funniest sequel ever.

There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins (PB £6.99, Nosy Crow Ltd)

This is one of my favourite picture books this month.  There is a mouse who finds a bear on HIS chair.  No matter what he does to tempt the bear to move nothing works.

The rhyming words mouse uses make this book all the more funny.  The rhythm of writing reminds me very much of Dr Seuss and the illustrations are stylish.

When mouse finally gives up and goes, Bear returns home.  But where’s mouse… surely not in Bear’s house?

A very clever book that is a must for all children.  Winner of the Amnesty CILIP Honour and shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Award.

The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith  (HB £14.99, PB  £6.99, Penguin Books Ltd)

For anyone who visits a bookshop or library  you have probably seen Coralie Bickford-Smith’s designs on the cloth covered Penguin Classics covers.

She wrote and illustrated her first children’s book last year which went on to win the Waterstones Book of the Year.

This book tells the tale of a Fox, a star and their friendship through words and pictures.  I have bought this exquisite book many times – as much for adults as for children. This reads and feels like a classic.

To me it is as a beautiful work of art as much as it is a book especially in the cloth cover edition.

My 4 year old loves it as a story and my 8 year old is inspired by the artwork.  Now released in a paperback picture book format it is accessible to an even younger audience.

Dare I say a perfect Christmas present?

Deborah Holland runs a regular Sunday Storytime session in Waterstones Lincoln High Street store. Find out more on Waterstones Lincoln High Street Facebook page.