By Maureen Tai, 21 February 2021

Teacup (ages 5+) is a gorgeous picture book written by Rebecca Young and sumptuously illustrated by acclaimed artist, Matt Ottley. In lyrical, almost musical, prose, Young tells the story of a young boy who bravely climbs into a boat with a book, bottle, blanket and a teacup filled with earth, leaving his home for unknown reasons, bound for unknown lands. Ottley’s stunningly painted seascapes show the boy’s long journey in grand detail – at times frightening, lonely, wistful, but always magical and hopeful – to its satisfying conclusion. This enchanting read is a gentle introduction to displacement and the yearning for home. (100 words)

By Maureen Tai, 14 February 2021

Pakistani-Canadian writer Rukhsana Khan’s charming picture book, Big Red Lollipop (ages 5+), tells the universally relatable story of sibling rivalry, temptation and forgiveness. Rubina is invited to a birthday party. Her Muslim mother, unfamiliar with Western birthday party etiquette, insists that Rubina take along her younger sister, Sana. The foreseeable disastrous consequences unfold, further aggravated by the theft by Sana of the titular red lollipop. When Sana later faces the same situation, Rubina must decide if she’ll save or punish her sibling. Khan’s first-person narrative is compelling, honest and direct, while Sophie Blackall’s illustrations are rich with details and expressions. (100 words).

By Maureen Tai, 5 February 2021

All in all, it’s been a beautiful life …even if at times a little strange.”

Grandpa

Ageing is an inevitable part of life. One of the hardest tasks for a parent is talking to young children about old age, in particular as it relates to beloved grandparents or other elderly friends and relatives. In her whimsical and imaginative illustrated story, Grandpa’s Angel, German author and illustrator Jutta Bauer manages to cover all the bases of this difficult conversation without plunging readers into the depths of depression. The book we read was also a delightfully compact A5 size, adding a subtle hint of playfulness to the experience.

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