We love books – obviously – and we often review latest releases. But I’ve been a parent for nearly twenty years, and I know that the older books sometimes get overlooked by new parents – and they’re missing out on a gem or two of bedtime reading. I think we all know the Very Hungry Caterpillar, of course, but I find newer parents may not know Albert Le Blanc, Little Tiger or Spot. There have been some beautiful picture books that we’d like to re-introduce into your life – I welcome you to the Sunday Picture Book series :)
We’re already big fans of Ernest, so when we saw Catherine Rayners ‘Augustus and his Smile‘ land on the mat, we were a bit keen to step inside.
So we just sat on the bottom stair, the then-3yr old Bear and I, and immediately did just that. Transporting ourselves away to somewhere utterly, totally, deeply enchanting.
Oh Augustus. How I do LOVE you!
Honestly? This is probably one of my very favourite books on Bear’s shelf. Beautifully, elegantly illustrated with the rather wonderful – but sad – Augustus, who is looking for his smile.
When he notices it is missing he does a HUGE tigery stretch (tell me you’re stretching? You have to stretch REALLLLLY big for that bit) and sets off to find it.
Along his excitingly beautiful journey, words are used sparingly. But with style and evocative grace, they carry the story forward in a reading aloud rhythm that is perfect.
It’s difficult to convey the sheer beauty of this book. You should jolly well buy it and read it for yourself.
