Wednesday, August 4, 2010

4th August Laurence Anholt (1959) Tim Winton (1960)





Laurence Anholt has collaborated with his wife Catherine on a large number of picture books, among them the series about twins Chimp and Zee, but he also has a series of books that he has done on his own about artists. These are particularly good for introducing young children to famous artists and their paintings. The facts are embedded in a story which keeps the child's interest initially and then they can explore the art on subsequent readings. There are books about Leonardo (Leonardo and the Flying Boy), Picasso (Picasso and the Girl with the Ponytail), Matisse (Matisse, King of Colour), Van Gogh (Camille and the Sunflowers), Degas (Degas and the Little Dancer) and Monet (The Magical Garden of Claude Monet).

Laurence also has a series of books called Seriously Silly which plays with nursery rhymes and fairytales to mix them up to the point where although recognisable they have become very funny. These are just three of the fun titles: The Emperor's Underwear; Rumply Crumply Stinky Pin; and Snow White and the Seven Aliens.

Australian author, Tim Winton is better known as a writer for adults than children, but each time he ventures into the children's realm he comes up with a winner. The children in the library love the beginning novel The Bugalugs Bum Thief and the picture book The Deep.

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