What Pete Ate A-Z

Is there anything Pete won't eat? Dog food is off the menu in this hilarious book that takes us through the alphabet discovering what it is exactly that Pete has consumed. Accordion sandwich anyone...

Buy the book here and visit Maira Kalman's website here

Around The World With Mouk

I'm not sure why I didn't get a shot of the cover of this lovely book before I wrapped it up for Christmas but hey ho there's plenty of lovely interior pictures for you to enjoy. I bought this for Zeph this year but I happen to know quite a few little people who own it. It's just such a cool book with so much gorgeous detail to pour over. It reminds me of the legendary Richard Scarry series which used to keep me entertained for hours as a kid. The book follows little Mouk the bear on his travels through eleven countries around the world, learning about different cultures through all the colourful characters he meets. As a bonus the book also includes reusable stickers so your little one can interact with the scenes and have adventures of their own. 

Buy the book here and see Marc Boutavant's portfolio here.

You can also watch Mouk as he has his own tv series!

How To Hide A Lion

A current favorite in our house is this charming and funny book for preschoolers all about Iris and her Lion. Kx

Buy the book here and visit Helen Stephens' website here

A.MAZING MONSTERS

 

The A.Mazing monster series has to be the weirdest yet most brilliant series of children's books that have ever been written. In 1977 Jim Slater spotted four drawings on his kitchen noticeboard, drawn by his ten year old son Christopher. His imagination was sparked and he scribbled down the first story, The Great Gulper. A week later Christopher had illustrated the whole story and so the first book was born. They went on to write another fifteen stories and the books went on to be bestsellers in the UK, USA and Japan. 

We just love the A. Mazing Monster books here at KidPlayDo. Zeph (age 4¾) in particular is a huge fan and is completely fascinated with the drawings. He says Swiggo is his favorite because he's so funny, a fishy monster with a long nose who has issues with drinking water. Elf's favorite is Rainbow who can change things into the colours of the rainbow - who wouldn't want to be able to do that?

Each book is based around a different monster but all feature Mr A. Mazing, the monster expert who is often called upon by the Queen or The Prime Minister to help with a monster problem. He usually knows exactly what's needed but sometimes has to consult his friends, Mr A. Stonishing, Mr A. Musing and Mr A. Larm! 

The A.Mazing monster books are available to buy as a box-set here and make an excellent gift for the kid who has everything.

When I Was Born

I'm not usually a suspicious person but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to buy anything baby related whilst I was pregnant. And then there was this book. I remember standing in the Tate gallery gift shop trying to contain the tears that were welling up at the thought of this little being who had so much to see and learn. In fact I had to stop myself reading past the third page for fear of properly blubbing my way to the till. Ok, I was pregnant and therefore overly emotional but honestly this a beautiful book, a popular read for my little girl and a lovely gift for a new parent. Just make sure you include a packet of tissues! Kx

Wild

 

As an illustrator you sometimes come across work that you truly wish you created and Wild is definitely one of those for me. From the moment I picked it up in Waterstones and saw those beautiful creatures come to life across every page I just knew it was to become a classic, in our house at least. The words are very simple yet the illustrations are incredibly detailed and we always find lots of things to talk about. The story follows a girl who is whisked away from her forest home by strange beings, otherwise known as humans and forced to live by rules that don't quite fit with her wild nature. It's a charming idea, one that I'm sure many children and parents can relate too and although my little girl is most of the time quite amenable I still recognize (and positively encourage!) that firey independent spirit that inspired the title. Kx

Get your own copy here

Visit Emily Hughes website here and blog here 

For Just One Day

'For just one day I'd like to be a busy buzzing bumble bee'

For just one day, by Laura Leck, is a wonderfully simple tale. It's perfect for preschoolers with short attention spans who can shout out the animals the characters wish to be and it has a lovely sentiment at the end; the best person to be is always yourself. But what we like most about it is that it's brilliantly illustrated by Kidmakedo favorite Marc Boutavant. His drawings are loaded with personality and character, and there is so much to explore on every page. Who would you be?

Available at The Book Depository