We continue highlighting the independent books that were part of Simon Smith’s Best Picture Books 2020.
We do use affiliate links on this website, it helps support this site and the additional work we do to support independent publishing houses. All of the links are to Bookshop, which supports local independent bookshops. A fairer deal for all the smaller businesses in the publishing industry.
The Blurb
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year, and a Junior Library Guide Selection!
From one of China’s most beloved, bestselling children’s authors comes this touching story of friendship and empathy, which celebrates the traditional way of life for the Indigenous Ewenki peoples of Mongolia.
When a Mongolian elder named Gree Shrek hunts a female moose by mistake, her young calf is left behind. Saddened by her loss, Gree Shrek names the calf Xiao Han (“Little Moose”) and the moose and man form an authentic attachment. Xiao Han accompanies Gree Shrek as the hunter-gatherer herds reindeer, sets up camp, forages for food in the forest, and visits his peoples’ village, where many fun adventures happen. But as the little moose grows bigger, Gree Shrek knows he must return his companion to the forest.
Richly detailed, painterly illustrations by Chinese fine artist Jiu’er bring authenticity and beauty to this thoughtful book, which illuminates the traditional and vanishing way of life for the Ewenki peoples of Inner Mongolia.
The Blurb
A little boat sets out to sea and begins its voyage toward home. To get there it must travel across many strange, beautiful oceanscapes, full of fantastic creatures and deadly monsters, swept by terrifying storms and sailed by mysterious ships. Can the Wanderer pick a path through all these perils to a safe harbour?
This beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book is a gateway into a captivating marine fantasy world.
The Blurb
A graphic, bright, imaginative alphabet book, with a smart and laugh-out-loud whodunit twist.
This was meant to be a simple alphabet book but something has happened. Something horrible. The most terrible crime! The world’s most completely delicious, tongue-jinglingly, chocolaty cake has been … STOLEN!
As Bear travels from A to Z, visiting all sorts of characters, objects and extraordinary places along the way, can YOU help him search for the culprit? But, wait! Are those crumbs on Bear’s page? And are those Bear -shaped pawprints next to the empty cake stand? It seems our narrator might not be as reliable as we first thought…
The Blurb
The flood is over – but while Mr Noah builds a house out of the ark, Mrs Noah creates a garden. Luckily her famous pockets contain seeds and she has some help from the children – and the creatures. Midsummer morning brings some very special surprises!
This magical story from the creators of Mrs Noah’s Pockets explores new beginnings, care for nature and, above all, home.
The Blurb
An inspiring and kid-accessible biography of one of the world’s most famous poets.
Emily Dickinson, who famously wrote “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul,” is brought to life in this moving story. In a small New England town lives Emily Dickinson, a girl in love with small things-a flower petal, a bird, a ray of light, a word. In those small things, her brilliant imagination can see the wide world-and in her words, she takes wing. From celebrated children’s author Jennifer Berne comes a lyrical and lovely account of the life of Emily Dickinson: her courage, her faith, and her gift to the world. With Dickinson’s own inimitable poetry woven throughout, this lyrical biography is not just a tale of prodigious talent, but also of the power we have to transform ourselves and to reach one another when we speak from the soul.
* Fantastic educational opportunity to share Emily Dickinson’s story and poetry with young readers
* An inspirational real-life story that will appeal to children and adults alike.
* Jennifer Berne is the author of critically acclaimed children’s biographies of Albert Einstein and Jacques Cousteau.
Fans who enjoyed Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and her Poetic Beginnings, Emily and Carlo, and Uncle Emily will love On Wings of Words.
