The Fog Catcher's Daughter by Marianne McShane - Illustrated by Alan Marks

In this modern fairy tale by Marianne McShane, readers are whisked away to the coast of Ireland and to the mystical island of Lisnashee. Superstition and fear of the fairy folk have the villagers using charms and special herbs to deter bad luck. A powerful element used for protection against the supernatural is magic water collected from the fog at Lisnashee. Young Eily learns the skills of a fog catcher early as she braves the storm and her fears.

Watercolour paintings by Alan Marks sweep through the pages of this original tale as magically as the fog at Lisnashee. The wind, the mist and the waves feel cold and alive; illustrated with a sophisticated style often reserved for an older audience.

This compelling picture book recalls a simpler time when there was no dependency on technology, where most things were handmade and magic was the cause and cure for the unexplained. With a thoughtful, brave and quick-witted hero like Eily, readers will be guided through the fog to a satisfying end. Recommended for ages 5+.

More about Marianne McShane and Alan Marks.

Related post: Books by Horseback

 

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Candlewick Press 2022

Hardcover 48p

11" x 9.75"

Time for Bed Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez - Illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh

As the sun begins to set, it is time for bed. Grandfather gently urges Miyuki to go to sleep but she is too busy doing everything else. A canopy must be made for the dragonfly queen, the vegetables have to be watered and the snails must be lead home. Follow along with Miyuki in this tender bedtime story celebrating family and nature as she attempts to evade sleep.

The illustrations created with watercolour and coloured pencil are a striking mix of textured patterns, bold colours and clean composition. The kimono, bento box, lucky cat (maneki-neko) and other Japanese cultural references and designs are showcased throughout.

The dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter is one of patience and simple enjoyment in each others company. A warm and calming read for little ones at bedtime with pictures that will create wonder leading to dreamland. First published in French as Au lit Miyuki by De La Martinière Groupe, Paris 2017. Recommended for ages 4+.

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Princeton Architectural Press 2018
Hardcover 26p
8.9" x 11.9"

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson - Illustrated by Qin Leng

This mini biography of Jane Austen offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most widely read novelists in English literature. Condensed and aimed at young readers, Deborah Hopkinson focuses on Jane Austen's creative development, her keen sense of observation and her determination to pursue her dream at a time when women's main profession was wife/mother. It covers Jane's childhood, family and events that may have helped to inspire her writing. Growing up in a big loving family with a very supportive father, encouraged her to continue learning beyond her limited formal education. Jane Austen wrote about everyday people; like a soap opera for her time. The stories of ordinary lives written in the most extraordinary ways so that two centuries later, people are still reading her novels.

Rough lines and loose colours flow with seemingly effortless charm  in Qin Leng's ink and watercolour illustrations. Characters are lively and expressive; wearing the prettiest Regency era fashions. The illustration from the spread showing couples dancing while Jane observes on the side is especially lovely. At the end of book is a timeline of Jane Austen's life as well as a summary of each of her novels. Recommended for ages 8+.

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Balzer + Bray 2018
Hardcover 40p
7.7" x 11.2"

The Most Wonderful Thing in the World by Vivian French - Illustrated by Angela Barrett

While browsing the bookstore recently, the cover of The Most Wonderful Thing in the World really intrigued me with its circus-like image and its title. Some might say not to judge a book by its cover but I almost always do! For picture books it's a key factor in deciding whether I like the style of illustration and how interesting the contents may be. This book by Vivian French and illustrated by Angela Barrett came home with me.

A king and queen searches for a suitable husband for their daughter Princess Lucia. Only the young man who can show them the most wonderful thing in the world will be the right choice. But what can be shown or given to someone who has everything? Not pyramids, airships or even a piece of frozen sky will do.

This is one of the more romantic fairy tales that show love blossoming over time throughout the book and doesn't just happen at first sight. The many scenes of Lucia touring the kingdom is very picturesque. The watercolour illustrations are elegant, intricate and dreamy; set possibly in the jazz age are enhanced by a dynamic layout. The clever retelling of this fairy tale makes for more engaging characters and interesting story. Recommended for ages 5+.

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Candlewick Press 2015
Hardcover 32p
11.1" x 9.3"

The Complete Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem

Some time in the late 1990's I had come across a stop motion television program about a hedgerow community of mice. It was not particularly enjoyable so I didn't look into the books. Decades later, I came across Brambly Hedge once again but this time in book form. I was amazed; it was so different than I had remembered. It was so much better! If these books had been made for television using traditional animation or CGI, I probably would have found it more entertaining. The stop motion technique is really stiff and unfitting when the story revolves around quick moving rodents.

The Complete Brambly Hedge is written and illustrated by Jill Barklem (1951-2017). Barklem studied illustration at Saint Martin's School of Art in London, United Kingdom. It is during her commute to school there that she first conceived the world of Brambly Hedge. She spent five years researching prior to writing her first story and it is also her interest in natural history that makes her illustrations so accurate and detailed. Her illustration style resemble that of another British artist whose work I am fond of, Cicely Mary Barker. Barklem's paintings are however, superior, being a lot more detailed and with more variety of subject matter. Some of the best illustrations in this book are of the tree interiors. These are the homes and buildings of Brambly Hedge where the mice live and work. They have multiple rooms and tunnels; some are cozy and some are extravagant. There are a lot of pictures in this book, almost filling every page.

The Complete Brambly Hedge is a collection of eight stories: Spring Story, Summer Story, Autumn Story, Winter Story, The Secret Staircase, The High Hills, Sea Story, and Poppy's Babies. I prefer all the stories in one book as it saves space but these are published separately as well with slip cases for the newer sets. The book presented here is the 2011 edition. The text is large and the paper has a good weight. The stories are sweet and written with a child's view of the world set in the countryside. There is no danger of predators, the mice live idyllic lives. Each individual story reading length is about five minutes.

The Brambly Hedge series of books, first published in 1980, have sold over seven million copies worldwide and the characters have also been produced as collectible pieces. Recommended for ages 4+.

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HarperCollins 2011
Hardcover 248p
7.5" x 10.1"

Little Gold Star: A Spanish American Cinderella Tale by Robert D. San Souci Illustrated by Sergio Martinez

Adapted by Robert D. San Souci with Spanish origins, Little Gold Star is a variation of Cinderella with a religious theme. The usual fairy godmother is replaced by Blessed Mary. Saint Joseph and the baby Jesus also make appearances in this story. The setting is New Mexico; a beautiful and kind girl named Teresa lives with her widowed father. The father then remarries to an evil woman with two daughters of her own. The story is very familiar. What differentiates this version from the European Cinderella stories are the tests that Teresa and her stepsisters perform. Teresa's best attribute is not her beauty but her kindness and she is rewarded with the aid of Blessed Mary and the animals. Her stepsisters with their wicked ways, grow horns and donkey ears as punishment. There is no prince in this story but Teresa does meet Miguel, a handsome and wealthy young man at a party. There are also no glass slippers or pumpkin coach however, the book maintains the same moral that goodness shall be rewarded.

Sergio Martinez's water colour illustrations done here are so fluid and soft. Warm earthy tones provide a rustic feel. The night scenes are especially luminous; fitting for a story about a "Gold Star". Tall figures are loosely lined with charcoal. Facial expressions are effective without looking cartoonish. Sergio Martinez was born in Orizaba Mexico. His illustrative works are published internationally with clients in the United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Central and South America, France and Spain. Recommended for ages 4+.

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HarperCollins 2000
Hardcover 32p
9.2" x 11"

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney

Caldecott Medal winner Jerry Pinkney’s latest picture book is The Three Billy Goats Gruff. This retelling of a Norwegian fairy tale follows three hungry goat brothers who want to cross a bridge to greener pastures for food. The bridge however, is guarded by a mean troll that threaten to eat anything that dares to pass on the bridge. The suspense builds up quickly and the bully meets his match in the end and learns valuable lessons. Beginner readers will enjoy this easy to read and relatable story that introduces the idea of sharing and working together.

The artist uses pencil and watercolour for the illustrations that are printed full page. There is one fold-out page at the climax of the story. If you enjoyed Pinkney’s other books like The Lion & the Mouse or The Tortoise & the Hare, you will like this too.

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Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2017
Hardcover 40p/dust jacket
11.4" x 9.9"

The Crane Girl by Curtis Manley - Illustrated by Lin Wang

While passing by the library, this little book caught my attention, The Crane Girl. It’s based on a very popular Japanese folk tale, adapted by Curtis Manley and illustrated by Lin Wang. The story is of a crane, who after being freed from a trap, decides to repay her saviour’s kindness. There are many variations to this tale but in this book there is a love story and a happy ending. This picture book also has haiku written from the perspective of the characters alongside the story. The haiku added much more emotion to an already heartwarming tale.

Lin Wang’s delicate watercolour illustrations are the perfect companion to this story. Her portrayals of the Japanese people and costumes are beautiful. Gone are the stereotypical depictions of East Asian people with exaggerated slant eyes. The illustrations of the faces are detailed and expressive in a melancholy way. This is the first time I’ve seen Lin Wang’s artwork and I love it; the fact that it’s not overly stylized makes it more attractive. I will definitely look out for her other works. This book about love and magic will appeal to fairy tale enthusiasts.

Published by Shen’s Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc. (February 1, 2017). The hardcover has no dust jacket. More Japanese fairy tales can be found here: Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales.

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Shen's Books 2017
Hardcover 32p
10.5" x 8.8"