A Yuletide Bonanza!

‘The Yuletide season is almost upon us dear chums, the perfect time for sharing a picture book under a huge cosy quilt so here for your delectation and delight are a selection of absolute Christmas Picture Book Crackers.‘

Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan

Published by Hodder Children’s Books

A mesmeric addition to Shaun Tan’s eclectic array of thoughtful and surreal picture books.

Two brothers explore the boundaries of their relationship in a breath taking landscape inhabited by a menagerie of make-believe creatures. This book grows more sublime with every brush stroke and each turn of the page.

Herman’s Letter  by Tom Percival 

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

The best depiction of friendship since Bert and Ernie, Herman (the bear) and Henry (the raccoon) are best of friends but when Henry moves away Herman has trouble dealing with his own company and feeling jealous of Henry’s new life.

Herman decides to embark on an epic and at times hilarious journey to find his best friend.  A perfect book for sharing with someone you love.

Ernest and Celestine - Merry Christmas 

By Gabrielle Vincent

Published by Catnip distributed by Bounce Marketing

Dear old bear and little mouse are back in a beautiful classic, Using ingenuity and love Ernest organizes a wonderful Christmas party for Celestine and her friends. A wonderful traditional tale with a supremely relevant message about the joys of a homemade Christmas and sharing it with those you love. Home really is where the heart is with Ernest and Celestine, this book is as warming and comforting as an afternoon by a log fire with a cup of hot chocolate.

Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space 

By Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman 

Published by Flying Eye Books

Flying Eye Books are trailing a dazzling blaze with this utterly visually arresting book - Professor Astro Cat guides our intrepid space explorers on an amazing interstellar adventure – Ben's artwork is eye boggling, cool and cutting edge and compliments perfectly the fact filled text in a unique and engaging way. Complete with a fact file at the back and cheese stealing aliens – What’s not to love. 

A beautifully produced book which will leap off the shelves.

Princess Penelope and the Runaway Kitten 

By Alison Murray 

Published by Nosy Crow

A perfectly pink rhyming ‘tail’ about a mischievous kitten and a ball of magical pink wool. 

Penelope has the run of a most marvelous palace as she chases a playful kitten tumbling and skipping through the grounds of her home. With a wonderful vibrant pink glittery trail to follow on each page. Completely delicious .

The Story of Stars – By Neal Layton 

Published by Hodder Children’s Books

The third in the ‘Story of…’ series , The Story of Stars contains millions of stars and the rest of the cosmos squashed into 10 pop-up pages.. that’s all!!!!!

You will gasp and gawp at the incredible pop-up’s which spring, shoot and unfurl from the pages of this book. A chronological journey through the discovery of stars with Neal’s hilarious mad cap style and numerous funny details to spot  - this book will be shared over and over for millions of years to come.  

Stars the universe and EVERYTHING – what more could one ask for? Also a special mention to in mind boggling background research undertaken by Captain Layton – He certainly deserves a sit down and a cup of tea.

PERFECT STOCKING FILLER:

A Letter for Bear – By David Lucas 

Published by Flying Eye Books

A glistening gem of a book – a small hardback printed in the colours of frosted ginger bread this story tells the wintery tale of an earnest post man bear and how a cockle warming cosy Christmas cave party with his forest friends came to be.

CLASSICS TO COVET:

Alice Through The Looking Glass

By Emma Chichester-Clark 

Published by Harper Collins:

A beautiful re-imagining of the lesser known Alice tale including all of your favorite characters to spot.  

This version will engage and enthrall readers of all ages and make an enviable addition to any home library. 

Emma’s vibrant pallet and ability to create movement and character make this particular version a true treasure.

The Babar Collection – By Jean De Brunhoff 

Published by Egmont

An exquisite slipcased edition of a much-loved collection of stories featuring a regal family of elephants. 

With a beautiful mix of 5 classic stories including Babar and Father Christmas, fans of Babar new and old will relish this wonderful book.

This timeless collection would make a wonderful gift.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Special Edition

By Judith Kerr – Published by Harper Collins

A delectable celebration edition of what must be one of the most iconic picture books of recent generations. With vibrant technicolor illustrations which will transport you instantly into Sophie’s world. 

First created in 1968 this tale of an imaginary tiger and the implications of having one over to tea will continue to appeal to young readers for many many years to come.

Pug’s Picks of the year: 

A special mention for some of my 

particular highlights of 2013

I have been extremely lucky this year to have received an absolute abundance of wonderful picture books, but if I was pushed and HAD to choose 4 which I just KNOW you will love then these are the one's I'd pick.

The Storm Whale – By Benji Davies (@Benji_Davies)

Published by Simon and Schuster - Review here

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam

By Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton  (@TraceyCorderoy and @2dScrumptious)

Published by Nosy Crow - Review here

Primrose by Alex T Smith (@Alex_T_Smith)

Published by Scholastic - Review here

Bubble & Squeak by James Mayhew and Clara Vulliamy (@mayhewjames and @ClaraVulliamy)

Published by Orchard Books - Review here

Happy Reading Sniffers – See you next year! TOOT TOOT!

Please don't forget to follow me on Twitter this Christmas season @maybeswabey and join our fabulous Facebook page here

Dearest Chums ...

WARNING: I'm about to gush like Gwyneth Paltrow plunging down the Niagara Falls and no mistake..

I've been pondering this post for many weeks now, following a flurry of wonderful deliveries at Book Sniffer Towers.

SO in a mammoth extravaganza here are reviews by some authors and illustrators (and friends) so very dear to my heart I might just pop with pride. 

Troll Swap 

By Leigh Hodgkinson 

Published by Nosy Crow

Here for your delectation and delight is a modern day tale of mischief and mess!

Ever feel like you don't fit in? Well, that's just the problem Timothy Limpit the troll has, he's far too tidy and neat (a troll after my own heart). Fortunately Timothy meets Tabitha Lumpit who happens to be a girl with the manners of a stinky troll so together they embark on the great Troll Swap. 

A book with just the right balance of smelly burps and spick and span tidiness. Have you ever in your life seen such a bright and bonkers book jacket, it literally bounces off the shelf, Leigh's illustrations just get better and better. Grab a copy of troll swap as quick as you can!

We give Troll Swap 3 whiffy socks and some shake'n'vac out of 5! 

Smelly Footnote : OBVIOUSLY my own manners are faultless and I've not tooted in years 

Follow Leigh on Twitter @hoonbuton and check out her marvellous non-stinky blog here

Primrose 

By Alex T Smith 

Published by Scholastic 

Roll out the red carpet Sniffers this latest offering is a picture book worthy of a huge stamp of royal approval. 

Princess Primrose is a flame haired bundle of joyful frivolity but is her behaviour fitting of that of a perfect princess? HRH Grandma pays an emergency visit to teach the straight laced royals a very important lesson (in having fun!). 

Primrose is clever, entertaining, refreshing and most of all a jolly good chortle. 

This picture book will put a right royal spring in your step. 

Those Sniffers who are lucky enough to have a copy in their mitts may notice a certain familiar face in the form of Percy the royal pug who I am assured by Mr Smith himself is ever so slightly based on ME! Would you Adam and Eve it.  Actually-absolutely THE proudest day of my life!

DASHING

We give Primrose 5 plump pugs on a platter out of 5 

Actually-absolutely THE proudest day of my life!

I had to breath into a paper bag and sit on my comfy cushion for a good while when this little gem arrived on the doorstep. 

It is well documented that I am and always have been a HUGE fan of 

Alex T Smith, (read here...and here .. and here ) his work is clever, unique, charming and hugely tittersome, his characters and attention to detail are second to none and he is without doubt just an all round nice chap, you MUST follow Alex on Twitter @Alex_T_Smith - #bloominhilarious! #allhailprimrose #toot-toot

Bubble and Squeak 

Written by James Mayhew Illustrated by Clara Vulliamy

Published by Orchard Books

I always new my heart would be fit to burst if Clara and James created a book together they are without doubt a total dream team with a cherry on top. I had heard whisperings about Bubble and Squeak some time ago, a magical legend I dare not believe it until I laid my actual peepers on its magnificent pages.. It is a thing of purest wonder and joy. 

Roll up Roll up for a thrilling tale of dare devil adventure. With all the glamour of the golden age of the circus and a good smattering of mild peril Bubble the elephant and Squeak the mouse forge a very special friendship.

This beautifully written story is perfectly complimented with sumptuous and joyfully bright illustrations which are good enough to eat and bounce like a clown on a trampoline off the pages.

A picture book as sweet as candyfloss and as bright as a string of technicolor fairy lights.

We give Bubble and Squeak 4 hot dogs and a bucket of glitter out of 5 

Follow James and Clara on Twitter @claravulliamy and @mayhewjames also visit their blogs! here and here 

Mabel and Me Best of Friends 

Written by Mark Sperring Illustrated by Sarah Warburton 

published by HarperCollins 

An utterly charming story following the hilarious friendship between Mabel and her well meaning chum. Beautifully expressive illustrations bring this hilarious tale of misunderstandings to life. I have recommended this book over and over, it's just beautiful and funnier than a monkey in a fez.  

One to relish reading over and over with your very best friend. Congratulations to this dynamic new team who have created a very special book. Lets hope we see more of Mable very soon! 

We give Mabel and Me 4 love hearts and our last Rolo out of 5 

For a hilarious and touching insight into the creation of this book read this blog post by Sarah herself.. truly inspiring! 

Visit Sarah's blog here and follow her on Twitter @SarahWarbie 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam 

Written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Steven Lenton 

Published by Nosy Crow  

Move over Boney and Clyde, there's a new pair of mischief makers in town!

Two more lovable rogues you're not likely to meet, as Shifty and Sam turn their backs on a life of tricksy pinching to open a magnificent bakery. 

A sublime and chuckle-some rhyming text with illustrations good enough to eat. Move over Mary Berry, Shifty and Sam are the new patisserie du jour. This book will tickle your funny bone and have you immediately reaching for a sticky bun....or two 

We give Shifty and Sam  4 cream horns and a macaroon out of 5 

Read our full review here   

Follow Steven on Twitter @2Dscrumptious and visit his website here  and follow Tracey on Twitter here @TraceyCorderoy 

 With thanks to the publishers / authors and illustrators for sending me such a mind bogglingly fabulous array of pure gold picture book wonderment  - TOOT TOOT!