Saturday, October 23, 2010

Book Review- Frances Lincoln Children's Books

I love UK books. I don't know what it is about them, but I have adored them, especially children's books, since my son was a newborn. I started collecting UK Children's books then and I still collect them now to read to my children. I was thrilled at having the chance to review this great Children's Books, from UK publisher Frances Lincoln.


By Saviour Pirotta
Illustrated by Linzi West
Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Released on June 11th, 2007
Source- The Publisher
5 Stars- A Wonderful Read

Patrick is painting a picture of a cornfield-but what colours does he need and how does he make them?Red for a squirrel, green for a frog, orange for a fox-as more and more animals sneak into his picture, Patrick has to put lots of colours on his palette. But his little dog has other ideas....

This is the perfect book for little ones learning about colors. Patrick and his Aunt Emily are sitting on a shaded hill over looking a cornfield. As Patrick sees various animals in a variety of color, he wants to add them to his cornfield painting. With easy to read words, and engaging, fun illustrations, this has become a favorite read in our house.


By Lis Jones
Illustrated by Jim Coplestone
Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Released on May 6th, 2010
Source- The Publisher
4 Stars- A Fun Read

Ruby is worried about the fox in the woods. Nonetheless she bravely agrees to go for a walk there with her father and her toy rabbit Raby. As they walk she and her father talk about fox's appetite for rabbits and that the fox wouldn't be interested in chasing her. Unbeknownst to her, Raby falls from her backpack and is spotted by the fox. Is this the end of Raby? In a surprising and reassuring ending Raby is returned to Ruby in the nick of time. This delightful and simply clever story about being afraid - a reworking of the theme of the classic We're Going on a Bear Hunt - has many layers that will stand repeated reading and discussion with young children (quoted from GoodReads).

We really enjoyed the illustrations in this great children's book. I liked the way Lis shows how hesitant Ruby is about going on a walk in the woods, as she's never been before. She's worried about Foxy. On their walk her father tells her all sorts of wonderful things about Foxy and the woods. Once she's walked through the woods, holding her daddy's hand, she realizes she's okay and Foxy and the woods aren't that scary. Through out their walk, her father keeps reassuring her they'll be alright, as Ruby constantly tells her stuffed rabbit, Rabby they'll be safe.

I think it's a great story for young kids, as often times they are hesitant to try something new and like Ruby, often times after they try it, they realize they are fine and can do it again. I would definitely recommend this cute, fun read.


By Paul Stewart
Illustrated by Tim Vyner
Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Released on October 9th, 2008
Source- The Publisher
3 stars- It's A Good Read

It’s bedtime, but in the warmth of the den, a young wolf cub cannot sleep. Papa Wolf knows why: the time has come to take his cub out into the dark night. As they walk deeper into the woods, Papa Wolf soothes his young son’s fears away. And when they reach the top of the world, he shows how big wolves make the night their own — and that the cub, too, is now part of the night. Magical watercolor illustrations of the wolves and their forest home are the perfect complement to this enchanting read-aloud story (quoted from GoodReads).

When a young wolf cub can't sleep, his papa knows it's time for him to join in the night song. He guides his cub through the woods and up to the rock, where the rest of the wolves meet up to lift their heads and sing their song to the full moon. Wolf pup starts off a little unsure, but at the end of his journey with his father he feels like he belongs, and shares his song with the rest of the wolves.

It's a good read with unique water color type illustrations that I enjoyed, though my youngest felt the picture of the wolves was a little scary.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~