While the British government continues its assault on arts education, picture books about artistic pursuits have never been better. From Phaidon’s fabulous Wasn’t Sorry visual arts series by Fausto Gilberti (for example, Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry) to Lola Saves the Show, a recent Walker Books/National Theatre tale by Katherine Halligan and Guilherme Karsten exploring the inner workings of a theatre, there’s no shortage of books fit for turning the youngest minds onto the transformative power of creativity.
Joining them is Isabelle Marinov’s Henri and the Machine (Templar). It features a school class on a gallery visit, and one boy in particular, Henri, who longs to be by the sea rather than looking at melting clocks and abstract portraits with their eyes “in the wrong place”.
Henri is, however, drawn to one deep blue painting that reminds him of “blueberries and summer skies”, but it’s not until he sits on a gallery chair that a chain of events is set off that will change his perspective on art for ever.
Illustrator Olga Shtonda’s gallery spaces brim with joyful depictions of children gazing at, leaning over or ducking under art works, and her interpretations of pieces by well-known artists – from Jeff Koons to Giacometti – are fun to spot. A simple yet profound dive into why art is for everyone, Henri and the Machine has a lovely overarching message: “The only thing that matters is how art makes you feel”.
The child hero of Nabil Steals a Penguin (Nosy Crow, 3 August) gets more than he bargains for on a trip to the zoo. A vibrant tale about being welcoming to others (and the deliciousness of curry), Nishani Reed’s debut co-stars Pierre the penguin, a lively chap in a crimson hat who is bored of the fish he’s fed at the zoo. When Pierre tries a mouthful of Nabil’s biryani he’s hooked – his cheeks speckled with rice in one of illustrator Junissa Bianda’s characterful pictures. Pierre promptly launches himself into his new pal’s rucksack, but with all the honking and hopping around, he’s not an easy bird to hide. Thankfully, when he’s finally discovered by Nabil’s parents they’re happy to make him part of the family.
Award-winning YA novelist Patrice Lawrence is also exploring family dynamics in Is That Your Mama? (Scholastic), with illustrations by Diane Ewen. Josie looks different from her parents and siblings, and when the constant barrage of questions on the subject gets too much her parents come up with a clever plan. They tell her, lovingly, about the heritage of each family member while sticking stars on a globe to mark their birthplaces, until it dazzles and shines – like her family itself – and Josie learns to ignore the questions and focus on her own happiness.
Just when you think the world has enough dog-themed picture books, in struts Doggy Dance Off (Little Tiger, 3 August) with its hard-to-resist verse. From Doug the body-popping pug, who looks like a canine member of 00s rap outfit Goldie Lookin Chain, to elegant 70s star Eva the golden retriever, Steve Smallman and illustrator Robert Starling have created a witty story with a feline twist sure to liven up story time.
Julia Donaldson, the queen of bouncy verse, recently celebrated 30 years since the publication of her first book, A Squash and a Squeeze, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and a new exhibition at the Lowry explores their rich partnership: Julia and Axel – Thirty Years of Favourite Stories (free, until 1 January).
Donaldson has also teamed up with another of her regular collaborators, illustrator Rebecca Cobb, with whom she created the exquisite The Paper Dolls, for a lift-the-flap playdate adventure called Who Lives Here? (Macmillan). When Dan invites a new friend over, his schoolmate must first find the right house in a neighbourhood of pirates and knights.
A gently reassuring jaunt, great for those starting school and making new friends, it suggests Donaldson’s knack for catchy rhymes and deeply resonant themes shows no signs of waning. Long may she reign over bedtime.
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