What makes you happy?

My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, translated by Julia Marshall is a great early chapter book about friendship, school and holding on to the good things in life, despite its ups and downs. Dani is probably the happiest person she knows. When she can’t sleep at night instead of counting sheep, [...]

Magnets, thieves, hats and Jon Klassen…

Tomorrow sees the publication of latest book by an author who perhaps created the biggest buzz in the picture book world last year. This is not my hat by Jon Klassen is clearly closely related to I want my hat back, Klassen’s widely hailed picture book from 2011 (here’s my review): There’s a hat, it’s [...]

Magritte, Midas and a magical book from Belgium

The Magical Life of Mr Renny by Leo Timmers (translated by Bill Nagelkerke) is a modern day take on the King Midas story, an exploration of the seductive power of stuff, but how what really matters at the end of the day is not what we own but rather the friendships we foster. Mr. Renny [...]

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