LJ's beautiful books

By Susan Herbert and Corina Fletcher Published by Thames&Hudson  Art/Adult £14.99 I am already a Susan Herbert fan - Medieval Cats are one of my favourite things ever! So when I saw this beautiful pop-up had come out I HAD to have it!  This book features six pop-up scenes of classical art paintings (including Boticelli see below) - reimagined as cats, naturally, featuring short humorous text descriptions opposite each one.  Susan Herbert's illustrations are an absolute delight in themselves - and these elegantly engineered pop-outs really bring the main subject out even more - 'Suzy the barmaid' from the Manet recreation is particularly mesmerising! To me, this is novelty publishing at its best. These paintings are completely charming for both art and cat fans and this format is the perfect gift book. Buy on Waterstones.com  

Illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine Cat expert Dr. Nick Crumpton Published by Thames & Hudson 2020 Ages 5 and upwards  Although gorgeously illustrated like a picture book (the inlays are lovely cat portraits), this is highly informative reference book about cats for young readers which also includes cat health tips and a glossary in the back.  Each double page spread features a different aspect of cats, including history, abilities, behaviour and famous cats. The text is presented in single sentences across the illustrations- which makes the information really easy to digest. A must for cat owners, young cat fans or those preparing to adopt a cat, this is a wide scope of cat facts presented beautifully. My favourite illustration is this happy leopard and domestic ginger cat side by side! Buy on Waterstones.com .

Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow Published by Thames and Hudson Published 2020 All ages I love that the unicorn is textured on the front cover, but INSIDE the inlays are prints based on the beautiful medieval designs of unicorns - WOW and instant gift book material!  This picture book is a delight for all ages, focusing on the power of the imagination, with lots of additional details in the pictures to point to (a pink cat - hooray!). It is inclusive, featuring a girl of colour, has bright and bold illustrations and is easy to read with simple rhyming text with a really sweet, excited tone of voice: "I really want a rainbow pet... with lots of extra superpowers..." It is perfect for fans of fairy tales, dragons or animals, but don't worry - for those who prefer dinosaurs or sloths - there are others in the series for them too!  Buy on Waterstones.com  

By Nadia Shireen Penguin Random House Children's All ages I love, love, love this book - I read it cover to cover with a smile on my face (apart from scary dragon bits). Billy and Fatcat (cat companion -sold already!) are at a fancy dress party with little animals when a dragon grabs and flies away with Fatcat! It's up to Billy to rescue her sidekick... This book has humour - including Fatcat's expressions, (just one example of the simple, textured and expressive illustrations). It has animals so adorable they literally have an 'adorable' prefix. It has a determined, brave heroine - dressed as a knight, who represents girls of colour. However, although Billy is physically brave and the rescue is funny, she is clever - she discovers why the dragon took her cat in the first place in a really smart plot twist. Cleverness, cats, girl knights and dragons called Simon... absolutely brilliant!

Edward and Aingelda Ardizzone Published by Puffin Ages 5 and upwards Bringing another classic to the fore here - because I have never forgotten this story of the little doll in a matchbox among the frozen peas and it's so touching! This short story is easy to read with one or two sentences and charming black and white illustrations on each page. The creativity of using miniature items in this story makes it and the illustrations unforgettable - the doll makes a match box bed and plays tennis with the peas using a spoon. Yet this tale has so much heart and depth, because the little girl is full of compassion for the little doll in the freezer that no-one pays attention to. She makes tiny clothes herself to keep the doll warm, she delivers them wrapped up as gifts, exciting the doll. These are beautiful, thoughtful examples of kindness - and what makes this children's classic, written in 1966, timeless.

By Patricia Hegarty Illustrated by Greg Abbott Published by Little Tiger All ages The story is a straightforward, lovely message of inclusion. On each page, different animals who have lost their home join mouse in building a big house for them all to live in - each time using an "everybody's welcome" refrain. However the highlight of this book for me is the illustration of each animal finding happiness in joining in. See? This board book is so beautifully made that it makes a perfect gift book, as well as a story book.

By Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton Published by Orchard Books All ages How can a book about anxiety also be adorable? Because Worrysaurus is a seriously cute little dinosaur! These soft, simple illustrations show not only Worrysaurus on a picnic, but also what he is worrying about. At the centre of this story however is how he uses techniques to refocus - my favourite is him hugging his teddy! Anyone anxious, big or small can relate to this heartwarming tale of a dinosaur overcoming his anxiety and learning to enjoy the present moment - or picnic!