PICTURE BOOKS
Just Because | Mac Barnett & Isabelle Arsenault | $24.99 | Walker Books | Ages 3+ I was an anxious child and a bad sleeper. I tormented my parents for years! So I can strongly relate to the little girl in this story, being put to bed by her father and delaying his departure with relentless, increasingly random questions. Why is the ocean blue? What happened to the dinosaurs? Why do we have to sleep? Her dad’s answers aren’t exactly what you’d expect, but with the incredible Mac Barnett penning the tale we shouldn’t be surprised! The poeticism and whimsy of his responses are exquisitely—and I mean EXQUISITELY—depicted by Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations. Just Because is a breathtaking, thought-provoking work of art that doubles as the perfect bedtime story. — Kate
Mr Chicken All Over Australia | Leigh Hobbs | $24.99 | Allen & Unwin | Ages 4+ Australia might be big, but have you met Mr Chicken? He’s HUGE! And after receiving letters from children all over Australia (make sure you have a good look at the endpapers!) Mr Chicken wants to see the entire country. With the help of a trusty marsupial friend to organise his itinerary, Mr Chicken is en route, and he is clucking excited to get here. Mr Chicken All Over Australia is a brilliant new book in the wonderfully funny Mr Chicken series by Australian Children’s Laureate and national treasure Leigh Hobbs. — Olivia
The Crayons’ Christmas | Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers | $27.99 | HarperCollins | Ages 3+ The wait for the next Crayons book is over! And this may just be the perfect kids book for the festive season. Coming from Daywalt and Jeffers it is, of course, hilarious. It’s also super interactive–readers join in the fun as Duncan, the Crayons and their families celebrate the festive season. There are folded letters to pull from their envelopes and read, games, press-out ornaments, a poster, and even a pop-up Christmas tree! It’s the perfect gift for fans of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. Like me, the Crayons know the best presents are the ones you give. Just be sure to give the gift of Crayons! — John
The Fate of Fausto | Oliver Jeffers | $29.99 | HarperCollins | Ages 4+ This is another Jeffers masterpiece. A modernday fable, this is a timely story about a man who sets out to own the world only to meet his comeuppance. The gorgeously retro, painterly style is both a product of Jeffers’ approach as well as the tools he sought out in the production of this book, including a 200-yearold lithography press in Paris. Combined with the smaller format, the unique printing process has produced a book more reminiscent of the classic storybooks from the 1920s and ‘30s. A must-read for kids and adults alike! — John
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All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors | Davina Bell & Jenny Lovlie | $24.99 | Hardie Grant Egmont | Ages 3+
Love Around the World | Fleur Pierets & Fatinha Ramos | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | Ages 4+
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors is, if you can believe it, not just a detailed account of why young Frank loves tractors. It is also a gorgeous tribute to childhood (and potentially lifelong) obsessions. Frank and his mother take a trip to the library and Frank knows exactly which book he wants to take home—one on tractors that he already knows by heart. When his mum despairs, he reassures her, “I like books–that’s what matters. Not what they’re about.” Us booksellers agree! — Kate
When Fleur and Julian decide to get married, they set out to experience the marriage traditions of the relatively few countries around the world where same-sex marriage is legal. Based on a true story, this is the first of two picture books and here they visit 12 countires, including Australia. The stunning, colourful illustrations depicting cultural and gender diversity would make both a beautiful gift for adults and a wonderful starting point for discussions with curious youngsters. — Mandy
