Happy Easter!
KBR celebrates this Easter with a look back at some of the picture books we've enjoyed over the years - some relating directly to Easter or with the theme of eggs, spring and new life.
Some may be new to you, some quite old. If these titles are no longer on the shelf, consider giving them a second life by scouring second-hand stores or resale sites online.
Click on each cover for its review, and also check out this Easter Books post from 2014 and KBR Recommends: Vintage Easter Books from 2011, which is utterly fabulous.
No matter how you celebrate this time of year, we wish you a peaceful and uplifting time with family and friends - and maybe even a hint of chocolate.
The scene for Bush Turkey Easter Hunt it set with a reminder that bush turkeys like to create big, messy nests.
It’s while Bush Turkey is making a nest that he discovers a gold egg. This must be something special because it’s gold and shiny.
As he explores further afield Bush Turkey finds more and more eggs, in a range of colours, but all shiny.
Unfortunately, the humans are not happy with Bush Turkey scratching around. Not only is he causing a mess, he’s unaware that he’s wrecking the Easter egg hunt.
Is Boxing Day too early?
Banjo the Hot Cross Bun certainly arrives in store on Boxing Day, and it causes something of a stir.
Even Banjo is outraged. He feels it’s way too early to be on sale. Hot cross buns are for Easter!
Banjo throws a tantrum and causes chaos in the bakery.
Through the fruit and vegetables, chocolates and lollies, Banjo is intent on making a mess.
A
beautiful book for every family who celebrates the Easter holiday.
The First Easter, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, is indeed a beautiful and accessible narrative, depicting the events and special symbols of Easter in a child-centric and compassionate way.
Santa has checked his list not once but twice and put
the gifts in his bag. If only he was as careful when he was attaching all the
tags!
This is Jackie
Hosking and Nathaniel Eckstrom’s third Christmas offering together, and it is
as delightful as the first two.
At the cake shop, Ladybug and Beetle are squabbling about what they are going to choose, and Leo waits in line, frustrated at the delay.
He leaves without a purchase.
Leo lists all the extraordinary things he’d like to buy for Kimbo, but also all the reasons they are inaccessible.
Leo decides a poem from the heart would be the most appropriate present for his friend. He writes a rhyming verse but at the end he can’t rhyme the last line.
It's that time of the year again when the KBR team like to do their bit for the festive season. This year's question has the potential to give SC the rest he deserves - or at least, according to some of our responses - relieve him of a few calories! So without further ado, from us to you all, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Question: If you could relieve Santa of just one task this Christmas this season, what would it be and why?Tania
– KBR Founder: Oh,
Santa – talk about overloaded! I would 100% relieve Santa of his children’s
picture book deliveries, for two reasons… Firstly so I could take a peek and
enjoy them all before delivery (remember that time stands still on Christmas
Eve, so yes, I’ll be able to read them ALL… with a mug of gingerbread hot
chocolate, of course).
And
secondly so I could take note of all the addresses they were delivered to. Then
I could pop back on Christmas morning to peek down the chimney and watch the
wide-eyed delight as little ones unwrap their books and tumble into magical
stories from all over the world.
What better way to celebrate the milestone of 20 books in a series than to write a story about a birthday, Greg Heffley's birthday.
Greg's sure his family is planning a surprise party for him. Unfortunately, although he's excited about it, he's also a bit nervous, too.
What could go wrong? Well, his family forgetting his birthday is what.
How can that happen? Well Greg soon finds out what led to it, then in true Heffley style his family decides to make it up to him and plan a super dooper party.
That means decisions for Greg, or so he'd like to think.
Like whether to have a family party at a restaurant, or friend party somewhere like the trampoline park or an escape room or the museum.
It’s a question that needs answering because Barney Gumnut and his bushland friends are tree-deep in Christmas Eve preparations.
Each Aussie inspired critter
including Wilfred the Budgie, has their own take on this festive time of year.
Suggestions are made. Convictions confirmed that Christmas is …
Family’s
here when you need them most.
Just picking
up this book with its shiny title and soothing green cover containing people under
a blossom-smattered tree, feels delightful. Couple that with the fun and love
of a bestselling author/illustrator duo of creators - and there is magic in the
air.
This glorious ode to families in all their various forms is definitely told with the warmth of ‘hot buttered toast.’
Step into a
world of micro-tales that pack a mighty punch of humour!
Italian
creative Siliva Borando has made a brilliantly funny book of strange animal
pairings that provide some hilarious and unexpected moments.
Deceptively
simple, with lush colour and strong line work, the book’s endearing characters
and unconventional ideas made me laugh out loud.
My Language Rights offers young children information that they can use in daily life, and that may not be accessible to them by other means.
Drawing on
the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights from PEN International, the book
empowers children and their families to use and protect all languages - be they
big or small, strange or familiar, easy or difficult!
Do the reindeer talk?
And can I ride your sleigh?
Even before you open the cover, this book makes you love
it just a little bit.
It has raised lettering, slightly glittering stars, a crescent moon and a cloud upon which sits Santa (with the kindest, warmest face you’ll ever see).