Category: Ages 5-8

Flash Review: Another by Christian Robinson

Leave a comment

By Maureen Tai, 28 February 2021

Another is a delightful and imaginative wordless picture book (ages 5+) by illustrator Christian Robinson that explores the wonderful, carefree world that is childhood. With bold and vibrant mixed-media and collage illustrations, Robinson shows a little girl and her red-collared kitty cat climb through a portal, embarking on an adventure in a topsy-turvy, parallel universe. A diverse group of children read, walk their pets, draw or play with hula hoops, and if you look closely, you’ll notice that each child – including the little girl and her kitty – has a doppelgänger! This is enchanting, seek-and-find book for even younger readers.

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

Flash Review: Teacup by Rebecca Young & illustrated by Matt Ottley

Leave a comment

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)

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

Flash Review: Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan

Leave a comment

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).

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!

Flash Review: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Leave a comment

By Maureen Tai, 7 February 2021

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a unique graphic collection of profound, bite-sized meditations on friendship and kindness by illustrator, artist and author Charlie Mackesy. Framed as heart-to-heart conversations between the four titular friends, their friendship deepens with each page of Mackesy’s exquisite ink-and-pen illustrations, composed of masterfully executed undulating lines, bold flourishes and dreamy curlicues, sometimes with splashes of brooding watercolour, always with gorgeously handwritten text. The unnumbered pages are arranged so that readers of all ages can dip in, wherever they choose, alone or in company, and find solace, inspiration, wisdom and breath-taking beauty.
For ages 5 and up. (100 words)

NOTE: Thank you for reading my reviews! I’ll never take this website down, but in the interests of streamlining, from 1 January 2025, I’ll be posting new reviews on my writer website, www.maureentai.com, where I post lots of other bookish extras. See you there!