A little spotlight on our store, as we start to get some lovely new stock in for the new year.
In the box I opened today was one of the books that quickly and quietly ran off our shelves before Christmas. Before we even had a chance to promote it, this book sold out!
My Village is a collection of twenty-two rhymes from around the world, each one presented in its original language (and script where applicable) accompanied by an English translation. A colourful double-page spread illustration accompanies each rhyme, fashioned from beautiful collages by Mique Moriuchi. As in all good picture books, Moriuchi’s illustrations compliment and build on the text, and help to bring further meaning to the rhyme with the inclusion of culturally appropriate details.
It’s never too early to help kids to learn that other people have a different way of communicating than they do, and that a language can convey much about a culture. At the same time, this book serves as a lovely introduction to poetry – the short rhymes and colourful illustrations will hold even a small child’s attention. The rhyme chosen for France is one of my favourites, Que fait ma main? and I’m sure all the others have been selected with fondness and love.
Danielle Wright, who collected the rhymes, has a great website, with information about her journey working on the book, and lots more, including a collection of great tips on ‘raising a reader’.
I’m also thrilled that another of our favourite books with an international flavour is now in stock. A while ago I reviewed Laura Ljungkvist’s Follow the Line, and we love her follow-up, Follow the Line Around the World just as much. Using one single continuous line, on bold graphic backgrounds, Ljungkvist cleverly traces a whole world of animals, plants, people and planets. It includes interesting facts about individual countries. The funky design in this hardback makes it a book that grownups will cherish too.
||My Village available at the We Heart Books store||
||Follow the Line Around the World available at the We Heart Books store||
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