Last week I bought this absolutely divine little picture book for Ned and for, well, ME!

Ollie is the main character, a beautiful childlike zebra who loves to dance (I Love To Dance) and in the companion book loves to sing (I Love To Sing). Everything about this little book is pure joy, from the size and the way it fits in your hand perfectly, to the end papers illustrated with scribbly drawings that it looks like Ollie drew himself.

The text is very simple and joyful making it fun to read aloud “I love to dance like jelly and shake my wobbly belly”. I can even act the wobbly belly out to Ned!

Anna Walker has created such an endearing character in Ollie that when you see his smile you will smile too. She is an amazingly talented artist and I so look forward to seeing more of her work soon and of course more of Ollie.

While having a peek at Anna’s website I also came across the book The Miggy Tree (Hardie Grant)that she has stunningly illustrated. I hadn’t heard of it before but I really need to get a copy. The author of this book which is actually a poem died at only 33, his wife decided to publish this poem for their two year old son and for their son’s grandmother. It sounds beautiful and the website is gorgeous. From the website you can order the book, there is also adorable children T-shirts for sale as well as prints of Anna’s illustrations and greeting cards.

Detail from the Miggy Tree illustrated by Anna Walker