This big, beautiful book should not be missed. And how could you not pick up a book with such a bold cover? My first impression was, Wow! that's how you sell a book. The inside doesn't disappoint - there are big reveals and fun, simple text. Appealing to younger readers and tired parents alike.
The art, by Kevin Waldron is a combination of gouache, pencil, and digital. The medium marries the jungle setting wonderfully. Also, definitely check out this great post by The Illustrated Book Image Collective about the book design. I love seeing the big double-double spreads all laid out. You'll see what I mean.
At the start of this month I published a list 50+ brilliant picture books with contributions from several illustrators I’m fortunate to have “met” (at least online). The list was intended to be an source of ideas and inspiration.
One interesting aspect for me of that list was how many of the books chosen were published 30, 40 or even 50 years ago. This observation made me want to look for the best picture books of recent years – to find some inspiration amongst the newest, brightest picture books available.
To help me in this quest I turned to this year’s winners of the Booktrust New Best Illustrators Award. These illustrators “represent the best rising talent in the field of illustration today, [they] demonstrate remarkable creative flair, artistic skill and boundless imagination in their work“, so who better to ask for some suggestions as to the best, fresh picture books?
So now, as the month draws to a close I offer you another springboard into a selection of amazing picture books. I hope the list will whet your appetite, stoke your imagination and make you hungry to visit the library. Here’s what our award winning illustrators chose and why they chose it…
Un Lion á Paris by Beatrice Alemagna
Absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful, beautiful art. Why isn’t this book everywhere?
The Enemy: A Book about Peace by Davide Cali, illustrated by Serge Bloch
I love the invention of Serge Bloch. Well delivered message.
Written and illustrated by Kevin Waldron
Templar Books, 2010
$15.99, ages 4-8, 48 pages
When Mr. Peek, the zookeeper, wakes up to find he can barely button his jacket, the zoo animals overhear him grousing about his bulging belly and think he's chiding them in this funny story about the folly of jumping to assumptions.
Setting off a chain of misunderstandings that only a mischievous boy can sort out, Mr. Peek begins his day thinking his green jacket, the one that makes him feel important, is much too snug and assumes it's because he's grown fat overnight.
Though only one button pops off when he puts the jacket on, Mr. Peek is baffled by the weight gain and grumbles about it as he goes about his job feeding and caring for the animals, each time getting more and more worked up.
At first Mr. Peek chides himself for being too plump, then his sour disposition gets the better of him, and he sees all sorts of bad things coming his way. Soon he's paranoid his bosses will see his expanding waistline and say he's too old to do his job.
All the while the animals think Mr. Peek is talking to them and they're becoming very glum. Mr. Peek, of course, is so busy wallowing in self-pity that he has no idea that his remarks are being misconstrued.
By the time Mr. Peek is in front of the monkeys, he's muttering to himself that he's a pariah. "Everyone's out to get you!" he declares, unaware that all of the monkeys behind him are bugging out their eyes with worry that they're no longer liked.
But what is Mr. Peek's son Jimmy doing giggling behind a tree in the monkey playpen and why is his jacket dragging on the ground?
What makes this book so fun is how absent-mindedly Mr. Peek goes about his day. He's oblivious not only to how irrational he's being (to think he can outgrow a jacket overnight), but to how harmful his words of self-reproach are to the animals and himself.
The instant I saw this book, with its nostalgic illustrations, I was transported back to my favorite Golden Books by Alice and Mart
Mr. Peek by Kevin Waldron (thank you to eva monleón !)
Check out Kevin Waldron’s work. His site doesn’t have a lot, but what’s there is so great. I now can’t wait for the version of The Owl & The Pussycat that he has illustrated.
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This big, beautiful book should not be missed. And how could you not pick up a book with such a bold cover? My first impression was, Wow! that's how you sell a book. The inside doesn't disappoint - there are big reveals and fun, simple text. Appealing to younger readers and tired parents alike. 
The art, by Kevin Waldron is a combination of gouache, pencil, and digital. The medium marries the jungle setting wonderfully. Also, definitely check out this great post by The Illustrated Book Image Collective about the book design. I love seeing the big double-double spreads all laid out. You'll see what I mean. 
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Oh I see what you mean Ggina.. This book looks fantastic! Thanks for posting about it :)
Beautiful characters
Advocate Art