The Children Who Loved Books - Reviewed by Ben

The Children Who Loved Books

Written & Illustrated by Peter Carnavas

First Published in 2012

Reviewed by Ben 

 

This book is about children who didnt have TV, a house or a car. But they had hundreds of books. The caravan they lived in got filled with books so they had to give them away. Things didn't seem the same. Bowls were falling off the table because usually there was a book under the table leg. Angus couldnt reach the window because he usually stood on books that were stacked up. With the books gone the caravan seemed very empty and everyone seemed bored. Then one day Lucy brought home a book from the library then they read it together. They enjoyed reading it together. In the morning they all went to the library together to borrow books.

This book tells us that you can be happy without lots of things. It also tells us it is fun to do things together as a family.   

 

I like the pictures.

 

Mum's comments

This is a charming sweet book with a lovely message. It is a picture book more suited for children younger than Ben but because of the underlying theme of the book we used it as a basis for discussions on commercialism. It also has a theme on the enjoyment of reading.

I would have loved this book as a child, as I lived in a caravan for some of my childhood and I have always been a book lover. 

The illustrations which are done in ink and watercolour are adorable and fun. The illustrations are mainly of the two children enjoying books. I wonder if there are prints available to buy as these illustrations would be great framed in a kid's book nook.

This would be a great book for ages 4-6. It is a lovely way to introduce how enjoyable books can be and also how special it is to read together. 

I rate this highly as a lovely picture and a perfect book for bedtime reading. 

Simpson and his Donkey - Reviewed by Tom

Simpson and his Donkey by Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac

Reviewed by Tom (age 9)

The book is about a man named Jack Simpson, who went to war. He was hoping to return to England but instead he goes to Egypt to train with the army. They then get sent to Gallipoli where he was stretcher bearer helping the people in the war who got injured. He finds a donkey to help him with carrying the injured. He named the donkey, Duffy. They did lots of trips up and down the hills. Jack was very brave to help the people when there were so many bullets. They would take water up the hill and bring back injured soldiers. Jack gets shot and he dies. He was buried and everyone was sad. He rescued over 300 men including his old friend from home.
The pictures made it look like the past because it showed horses and carts. I think it would be scary to go to war. The book showed what it was like to go to war.
I rate it 7.5/10

Mum's comments
I always struggle to read this book out loud without getting a lump in my throat. It is a lovely picture book to help children understand events such as ANZAC Day. It isn't gruesome but gives enough details of the hardships, for children to understand that war is not pleasant. I remember hearing of the story of Jack Simpson and his donkey when I was at primary school but have not heard anyone speak of it since. This picture book is a lovely way to teach the next generation about it.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore - reviewed by Tom

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
Illustrations by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm.

Reviewed by Tom (age 9)

This book is about Mr Morris Lessmore who loves stories and books. Every day he would write in his own book about his joys and sorrows and everything he hoped for. Then one day there was a big storm and everything was destroyed even the words in his books. He began to wander off and he saw a lady in the sky with a bunch of flying books. She gave Morris her favourite book and the book led him to a building full of books. Morris went inside and began living with the books. He read the books and looked after them. Sometimes he would become lost in a book for days. He would share the books with other people. Every night he would write in his own book of his joys and sorrows and everything he hoped for. The days, months and years passed and Morris became old. The books then looked after Morris. Morris Lessmore filled the last page in his book then he flew away into the sky with the flying books. Morris had left behind his own book. Then a girl came in and saw all the books. Morris Lessmore's book came up to her for her to read. She then starts to read the books.

I like this book because I like the pictures. I am not sure if this is a happy or sad story because Morris Lessmore leaves. It is a good bedtime story. Morris like to read adventures in books and I do too. 

I rate it 8/10

Mum's comments

This is a lovely book which I have to read to Tom's twin every night as he is fascinated by it. My children have some difficulty grasping some of the themes in the book due to their autism but the book provides a platform for later discussion. One of the themes is that you can find comfort in books during difficult times and also concepts of death and change. The first time I read the book I got a little lump in my throat and felt a little emotional but I do love the story and I especially love the writing style. This book has some lovely lines that I love reading out loud such as "Then a happy bit of happenstance came his way". Towards the end of the story Morris Lessmore grows old and decides it is time to leave. We then see that he has turned into a young man again as he gets lifted towards the sky by flying books. I think this is a lovely way of introducing the concept of death. Younger children may miss this reference and just think he is off on another adventure. 

The illustrations are lovely and have been done by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm. The pictures are quirky and match the vintage style of writing used throughout the book. 

This hard cover book will be a keeper for years to come. I would love to eventually find a signed copy of this book for Jack. He requests that I read this book to him every night and I think when he is older that this book will remind him of our happy bedtime reading times.

To find out more about the book, the app or the short story film then visit the book's website.  MorrisLessmore.com

Stuck! - Reviewed by Ben

Stuck! by Charlotte Calder & Mark Jackson

Reviewed by Ben aged 7

A Kite gets stuck in the tree. The children throw things up to knock down the kite but everything gets stuck. The cat jumps into the tree to try catch a bird and then it knocks everything down. But then the cat gets stuck in the tree. The cat has to be rescued. 

I like the pictures. It is a good bedtime story. I could read all the words except the names. Mum had to help me with those. 

Mums comments:

I agree with Ben that this is a lovely bedtime story book. The sentences are short simple sentences for early readers to manage on their own. The font is large which also helps little people to read. It is also a hard cover book which is easy for chubby little fingers to hold. 

This book is suitable for early readers and for younger children who like to have a story read to them.