Book Bites: Board Books with Heart



One of the most sensible, go-to gift ideas for any new parent is a book. Never mind newborn can’t even focus yet let alone read; the thought of gifting something so rich in inspiration and entertainment to share with baby as they grow and learn about their world softens and warms every heart.

Here are a handful of recently released board books that will fill any gift basket, or nursery bookshelf, with sunshine and joy.
Kindness Makes Us Strong
This sturdy little picture book is robust enough to endure the tug and pull of eager little hands (and mouths) and pretty enough to brighten any bookshelf. It’s part of a series (Love Makes A Family) by vibrant author illustrator, Sophie Beer featuring simple statements that underpin the quality of kindness; of having it, sharing it and living it. Beer’s trademark bold, bright retro-sque illustrations shout positivity and display strong themes of diversity and duality reminding us kindness is not only how we behave but who we are.

Title: Kindness Makes Us Strong
Author: Sophie Beer
Illustrator: Sophie Beer
Publisher: Little Hare Books, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 April 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760504144
For ages: 0 - 6
Type: Baby Board Book

 Buy the Book: Hardie Grant Publishing
The ABC of Musical Instruments
‘Without music, life would be blank to me.’ Jane Austen, Emma (1815) Jane Austen spent much of her writing life in Hampshire, England. This captivating series of board books is endorsed by the Hampshire Cultural Trust. This one features divine repeating patterns (of oak leaves) from a Pelisse Coast thought to have belonged to Jane. If that all sounds a touch too trite for a small picture book, fear not for the result is absolutely spell-binding and incredibly illuminating. Who knew there was a musical instrument that started with Y – yunluo (or Chinese cloud gong) if you’re interested. Compact and cute, these are collector keepers.

 Title: The ABC of Musical Instruments
Illustrator: Ailie Busby
Publisher: Catch a Star imprint New Frontier Publishing, $12.99
Publication Date: February 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781925594461
For ages: 0 - 3
Type: Baby Board Book

 Buy the Book: New Frontier Publishing, Boomerang Books


123 Tea Party

Like its former counterpart, The ABC of Musical Instruments, 123 Tea Party is a sublimely cute, pastel infused jubilee of colours and numbers. Fox is throwing a tea party rather like those aristocrats would have thrown in Jane Austen’s time. Beautiful floral patterns suffuse each numeral as fox assembles his high tea. There are plenty of opportunities to count and search and find especially after fox’s party of friends arrive and sit down for the feast. There is even an opportunity to explore addition and subtraction. Maths has never looked so appetising (for me!). 

'One cannot have too large a party.' Jane Austen, Emma (1815)

 Title: 123 Tea Party
Illustrator: Ailie Busby
Publisher: Catch a Star imprint New Frontier Publishing, $12.99
Publication Date: February 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781925594508
For ages: 0 - 3
Type: Baby Board Book

 Buy the Book: New Frontier Publishing, Boomerang Books
The Day Henry Met…series
If pastels and patterns aren’t quite your tone, check out this board book TV spin off series illustrated by Gilly. This collection is bold, bright and covers all the pre-school Edu-fun areas guaranteed to engage inquisitive little minds, including: the alphabet, numbers, colours and even doing words – actions. Fun and frolicsome, Henry leads the way in this spirited collection.

 Title: Assorted titles: The ABC, Colours, Numbers, Actions
Illustrator: Gilly
Publisher: Catch a Star imprint New Frontier Publishing, $12.99
Publication Date: February 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: Varied
For ages: 0 - 4
Type: Baby Board Book

 Buy the Book: New Frontier Publishing,



Comments

Norah Colvin said…
These look delightful, Dimity. I have a standard set of three books I give to new parents: Mem Fox 'Reading Magic' and 'Ten Little Fingers Ten Little Toes, and Michael Rosen 'Good Ideas: How to be Your Child's (and your own) Best Teacher'. I wish I could add more to the list. There are so many wonderful books available. These ones you have shared would be perfect too.
10 June 2019 at 21:31
DimbutNice said…
Agreed, Norah. I should also suggest Shelly Unwin's YOU'RE ONE!, YOU'RE TWO...series. Illustrated by Katherine Battersby. They are superlative board books and absolute keepers. :-)
10 June 2019 at 21:57
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