A week or so ago I returned home to find the red card through the door. The next day I popped off to the post office and was delighted to find some books from a publisher who I believe to be the most exciting children’s publisher at the moment.
A quick look on the site for Wide Eyed Editions will give you an idea as to why I find them so exciting. Their books are breathtakingly beautiful and a real work of art. My fondest memories as a child are those days spent browsing book stores. I remember my auntie taking me to the Waterstones on Manchester Deansgate and buying me books (it must have been for a birthday) and the choice was overwhelming. I can’t recall all the books I bought but one of them was The Selfish Giantand I still, to this day, recall the beauty of the illustrations. Of course books are about the words and the stories but for a child, the illustrations are just as important a part.
This is where Wide Eyed (and the other members of the Quarto Group) really excel. I was sent a copy of Nature’s Day and it is beautiful.
A large square book it follows eight different areas across the four seasons (the garden, the pond, the farm, the street) and documents how they change. I looked at the street sections with Daniel and we talked about what we can see from his window and how the trees will change, using the book as a guide. As we venture more into Daniel’s learning this book will be invaluable I am sure. The pictures are bright and engaging and it is just beautiful.
This is the sort of book that I hope will inspire that love of learning in Daniel and Emma, it can’t fail too as they explore the pages and the hidden details.
Wide Eyed Editions really are such an exciting publisher and I think I have all their forthcoming titles on my wish list – but firmly at the top is Creaturepedia which looks amazing and 50 States which too looks brilliant.
Included in the package of books were two titles from Frances Lincoln, another imprint of Quarto. I was sent Wild Adventures and The Story of Life
The Story of Life is a first book about evolution and will be perfect form when we explore this with Daniel and Emma. What I also like is that there are teachers notes available for download to accompany this and I will making use of those I am sure. The authors are qualified on the subject and it is written in a really easy to follow and accessible way with plenty of engaging features and images to engage children. At the bottom of each double page spread there is a timeline so the reader knows the time period they are looking at and the final page ends with a stark message about the effect of humans on earth – certainly a topic that can be explored further independently.
What I liked about this book was that Daniel was able to look through and we could have some very loose conversations about the dinosaurs he was looking at and the monkeys etc. I think this will be a good aide for science as he and Emma grow.
The final book, Wild Adventures is simply brilliant. It’s aim is to inspire and encourage awareness of the natural world – demonstrating how much fun nature is and it will absolutely succeed in this aim. The four of us will be making use of this book as the warmer months come along.
I like how there are lots of practical activities (such as picking berries and making a crumble with them) as well as how to make whistles. I can’t wait to get stuck into this and for Daniel and Emma to be choosing which adventure we will be going on!
Getting outside is so important and this books will inspire so many ideas I am sure.
tony says
Great review
over40andamumtoone says
These sound like just our kind of books – off to investigate. #weekendbookclub
educatingelsa says
These look awesome, definitely the sort of books I’d like Elsa to have when she is a bit older. I especially like the look of the evolution book. As a non-religious mummy I am keen to find books about science rather than the creation story.
sebsmummy says
Fabulous review Sarah, you know I love these books ♡
Chantelle Hazelden (@MamaMummyMum) says
Love the look of these, fun yet full of knowledge to be learnt!! thanks for sharing with #readwithme x
Catherine says
I love the cover of Nature’s Day, will definitely check that one out. Thank you for a great review 🙂
#readwithme
beamfrost says
The illustrations look great, will keep an eye out for these when M is a bit older #weekendbookclub