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celebrating extraordinary storytelling

Reviews and explorations of illustrated children's books

Discover new stories and revisit familiar favourites

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Picture Book Snob

Sep 24, 2021
2 min

Hoots, hollers and howls of laughter

Sing Like a Whale by Moira Butterfield and Gwen Millward, Welbeck Kids Hey little human, do you want to make noises like the wild animals of this world? This wonderful book takes children on an interactive and untamed world tour, teaching them how to sound and behave like twelve different animals. The human protagonists are diverse with lots of Black, Asian and minority ethnic characters, so every child can see themselves in the story. Animal actions as well as sounds are inc

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Time to Move South for Winter - Review + Interview with Clare Helen Welsh and Jenny Løvlie

Picture Book Snob

Sep 16, 2021
9 min

Time to Move South for Winter - Review + Interview with Clare Helen Welsh and Jenny Løvlie

There is nothing I can say about this book that will adequately describe how STUNNING it is and no photos could ever do it justice either. It’s definitely one of the most magnificent and impressive books I’ve ever held in my hands. You need to get a copy (as soon as possible!) and see it for yourself. Every time you think Time to Move South for Winter can't get any more beautiful, you turn a page and are proven wrong. This story documents the migratory journeys of terns and s

The Boys and The Girls: Q&A Tour + Review

Picture Book Snob

Sep 12, 2021
7 min

The Boys and The Girls: Q&A Tour + Review

Discover Lauren Ace's top tips for young writers and find out why we love The Boys and The Girls, written by Lauren and illustrated by Jenny Løvlie... We are absolutely thrilled to join the Q&A tour for two magnificent picture books - The Boys and The Girls by Lauren Ace and Jenny Løvlie. Out of all the picture books we own and love, we have probably read The Girls more than any other — and that's really saying something! The Boys arrived a few days ago and we have been just

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BLOG TOUR: The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom by Beach, Simon & Schuster

Picture Book Snob

Sep 9, 2021
3 min

BLOG TOUR: The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom by Beach, Simon & Schuster

Get ready for a dragon tale with a difference that will have you exploding with laughter! Poor Dragon has lost the ability to breathe fire and doesn’t know what to do. But fear not, brave knight Sir Wayne is on hand and determined to put things right. Can Sir Wayne restore Dragon's fiery glory, or is he destined for a flame-free future? The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom has just the right amount of rudeness and ridiculousness to hook the very young. There's even a revolting

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This vibrant book sheds light on some of nature's enigmas

Picture Book Snob

Sep 5, 2021
4 min

This vibrant book sheds light on some of nature's enigmas

Curious Creatures Glowing in the Dark by Zoë Armstrong and Anja Sušanj, Flying Eye Books "Our towns, cities and motorways glitter with electric light. Light that helps us to see, light that grabs attention and light that warns of danger. But humans use clunky equipment and the Earth’s resources to do what some extraordinary animals have evolved to do all by themselves. In nooks and crannies and under the sea, there are creatures that make their own light and use it just lik

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Picture Book Snob

Aug 7, 2021
3 min

True friendship will always find you

Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, Nosy Crow A beetle and a caterpillar become acquainted and are soon inseparable, sharing picnics daily and watching the moon rise together every evening. One morning, the beetle wakes up to find the caterpillar has vanished and sets off in search of his pal. Will they be reunited and can their routine stay the same even if they are irrevocably altered? Using very few words and a simple but clever premise, Chris Naylor-Ballesteros c

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Why we love The Cat and the Rat and the Hat by Em Lynas and Matt Hunt (Nosy Crow)

Picture Book Snob

Aug 6, 2021
2 min

Why we love The Cat and the Rat and the Hat by Em Lynas and Matt Hunt (Nosy Crow)

…and why you will too A cat and a rat engage in a battle of wits as they try to take possession of a much-coveted hat. When a bat appears, wearing an attractive cravat, who will emerge as the best-dressed of the trio? The Cat and the Rat and the Hat is a fresh and fast-paced, comic caper and a riveting, roller-coaster of a read! Find out why we love this enormously entertaining, playful and inventive take on traditional nursery rhyme, 'The House that Jack Built.' It’s extreme

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Picture Book Snob

Aug 3, 2021
2 min

Why everyone should have an octopus

All I Want is an Octopus by Tracy Gunaratnam and Valentina Fontana, Maverick Books Looking for a helper who could make you laugh, style your hair, wash the car, run your bath, paint the house AND give wonderful cuddles? It sounds like you need an octopus... All I Want is an Octopus is a whimsical and humorous celebration of the magic of owning a pet. A boy who longs for an octopus lists all the advantages of owning one as he tries to persuade his parents to permit it. Perha

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Picture Book Snob

Jul 19, 2021
3 min

A hug from your favourite aunt

Aunt Amelia's House by Rebecca Cobb, Macmillan Did you have a favourite relative when you were growing up? Were they slightly unconventional? Perhaps you didn’t see them as often as you liked, but being in their company always guaranteed plenty of fun. My mother had two sisters who were exactly like Aunt Amelia. They unfortunately both died within ten years of each other, by the time I was 26. I still miss them and think of them often, which is one of the reasons I love the A

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You take your eyes off them for five minutes

Picture Book Snob

Jun 30, 2021
3 min

You take your eyes off them for five minutes

Baby's First Train Robbery by Jim Whalley and Stephen Collins, Bloomsbury You take your eyes off them for five minutes and the next thing you know, they’re getting into all kinds of trouble. Sound familiar? Then this is the book for you! What's it about? This is the latest title in the Baby Frank series but it can be read as a stand-alone story. Following on from the events of Baby’s First Bank Robbery and Baby’s First Jail Break, this time Baby Frank is headed to the seaside

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BLOG TOUR: Ten Reasons why we love When a Dragon Meets a Baby...

Picture Book Snob

May 24, 2021
4 min

BLOG TOUR: Ten Reasons why we love When a Dragon Meets a Baby...

...and why you will too The blog tour for When a Dragon Meets a Baby starts today. We're delighted to be the first stop on a two-week celebration of one of the most adorable books ever published. Author Caryl Hart mentioned this story when we interviewed her back in January and we've been so excited about it ever since. The two previous books in the collection, When a Dragon Goes to School and When a Dragon Comes to Stay, are fantastic. Just when I thought this series couldn'

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What if this book could help overthinkers?

Picture Book Snob

May 20, 2021
10 min

What if this book could help overthinkers?

What if, Pig? by Linzie Hunter, HarperCollins We have been so excited about What if, Pig? by Linzie Hunter ever since catching a glimpse of it on Instagram earlier this year. This brilliant book will be published by HarperCollins next month. I was thrilled to get hold of an advance copy thanks to the author-illustrator and publisher, and even more delighted when Linzie agreed to be interviewed. What if, Pig? is an extraordinary story which helps children cope with anxiety and

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Picture Book Snob

May 17, 2021
3 min

Meet your new best four-legged friend!

Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat by David Melling, Nosy Crow What's it about? Ruffles loves jumping in puddles with his best friend Ruby, but he does not like his new red coat. After discarding this garment before splashing in puddles, Ruffles is cold and wet, while coat-wearing Ruby is warm and comfortable. Could there be benefits to wearing a coat after all? What can we learn? Outdoor clothing is not only practical, it helps us to enjoy our favourite activities too! What makes

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BLOG TOUR: Meet the Oceans by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin, Bloomsbury

Picture Book Snob

Mar 1, 2021
9 min

BLOG TOUR: Meet the Oceans by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin, Bloomsbury

Meet the Oceans by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin. Dive into our review and jump behind the scenes as we chat to illustrator Bethan Woollvin... What's it about? More than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water and this stunning new book takes readers on a magnificent maritime world tour. We encounter a variety of creatures, travelling through stormy seas, glacial landscapes, balmy tropics and sultry sunsets, in the comfort of a little submarine. What can we learn? T

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Picture Book Snob

Feb 2, 2021
3 min

Why monsters make the best friends

Lionel the Lonely Monster by Fred Blunt Lionel is a monster who longs for a companion, but unfortunately any potential pals are scared of him on sight. One day, Lionel's loneliness feels particularly overwhelming. As he sits in the park in tears, Lionel meets a little dog called Milo who comforts him. Lionel and Milo spend a glorious day together but when Lionel realises Milo is lost, he is faced with a difficult decision. Should Lionel ignore the "missing" posters and his co

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celebrating extraordinary storytelling

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