LJ's beautiful books

By Joseph Coelho and Freya Hartas Published by Walker Books Ages 8 and upwards. Zombierella describes itself as a gory 'Fairy Tale Gone Bad' and is true to form! This Cinderella, for example, is named so because she wears her mother's ashes in a skull around her neck and instead of a Fairy Godmother, The 'Fairy of Death' turns her into Zombierella to go to the ball. And this Prince has fangs...  Not for very young traditional fairy tale fans, but those who love guts, gore and ghosts will enjoy this tale that includes dead animals, bugs and an actual foot instead of a glass slipper!  Amongst the gruesome details, the text is written in free verse and there are touching moments like when Zombierella is reunited with her (dead) horse and the creation of her ball dress from autumn leaves is beautiful:  " Zombierella looked spectacular, frozen in time..." The front cover is truly stunning - it stands out for me, and both Cinderella and Zombierella have beautif...

By Elle McNicoll  Published by Knights Of Ltd. Ages 9 upwards This endearing story is about Addie, a caring, inquisitive and autistic girl. She sets about making a memorial for the women burned in her Scottish village during the Witch Trials, after learning about them at school. She feels that they were misunderstood, and, strongly relating to that, stands up both for these women and herself.  I was really drawn into this book, mostly by the character of Addie herself. I can relate to her passions and obsessions especially, my favourite quote of the book is about Addie and sharks: "No one likes them"...  "You like them. That's all that matters." I also love the scene where Addie talks to the cows: "Cows are naturally very nosy. They can't help themselves, they're extremely curious and far too trusting. But very good confidants." We are shown various negative attitudes towards autism through Addie's teachers, classmates and villagers - inclu...

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.