Category: Picture Books

Flash Review: Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan

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By Maureen Tai, 12 March 2021

One animal is featured in each of the twenty-five Tales from the Inner City, (ages 12+) a collection of pleasantly surreal and hauntingly philosophical short stories by celebrated Australian artist, illustrator and writer, Shaun Tan. Complemented by stunning and evocative artwork, Tan explores the troubled relationship between humans and animals. In deeply meaningful prose, he exposes the banality and pollutive effects of urban existence and suggests that nature – whilst fragile – is infinitely wiser and more resilient than humankind will ever be. This thought-provoking book will appeal to older children seeking to understand their place on this miraculous planet.

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: Thank you, Omu! by Oge Mora

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By Maureen Tai, 7 March 2021

Thank you, Omu! (pronounced “AH-moo”) (ages 5+) by Nigerian author-illustrator Oge Mora, is a heart-warming picture book about kindness, diversity and inclusion. In her apartment in North America, Omu, a kindly grandmother figure, cooks a red stew. The delicious smell wafts into the surrounding neighbourhood, enticing many hungry visitors to Omu’s door. Generous Omu graciously shares her food, but at the end of the day, will there be any left for her own dinner? The vibrant, pastel-hued, mixed-media collage illustrations and lively story will engage and entice even younger children reading with parents or with others in a group setting.

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: Another by Christian Robinson

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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

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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!