Children’s Picture Books – Spring 2016

Spring 2016 has arrived with a bumper crop of beautiful and intelligent children’s picture books, so I am going to try to do them all justice in this one post. When it comes to authors, a major problem that most aspiring ones face during their initial stages is finding the best publisher to publish their book. However, that is not the end of their problems. Many publishing houses insist on maintaining a diverse roster of professionals to ensure authors of all walks of life are able to get in touch with people who can help. For instance, those looking for children’s book illustrators for hire might want only the best ones in order to connect the emotion they feel towards their intended audience. In that vein, there is only one exception when it comes to this particular post. The books below are all from New Brunswick authors and illustrators. Here they are, in no particular order:

Sea Glass Summer

This 32-page page hardcover is published by Nimbus Publishing and is the creation of Quispamsis author and illustrator Heidi Jardine Stoddart. The Nimbus press release states: “A gentle, lyrical story with vibrant paper-collage illustrations, Sea Glass Summer explores the powerful lure of the ocean, and the meaningful treasures within.”

My Two Grandmothers (Nannie and Mémère)

Also from Nimbus comes this 32-page softcover book by Memramcook author Diane Carmel Léger that celebrates Scottish and Acadian grandmothers. From the Nimbus press release: “Acadian Mémère and Scottish Nannie seem to have nothing in common but their grandchildren, but in this endearing picture book from bestselling author Diane Carmel Léger and noted illustrator Jean-Luc Trudel, difference is celebrated. A co-publication with New Brunswick’s award-winning Bouton d’or Acadie and simultaneously published in French, Nannie and Mémère is a whimsically illustrated, heartwarming tale of the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and a celebration of family, of all shapes and sizes”.

Double Trouble at The Rooms

From Newfoundland’s Creative Book Publishing comes this 32-page softcover picture book. From the Creative website: “There’s no room for Nat’s polar bear in her house. It seems there’s no space for him anywhere. On a class trip to The Rooms in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Nat wonders if they’ll let Bear in. But the museum has room for all sorts of fun and maybe even a bear-or two!”

Author: Lisa Dalrymple is the author of A Moose Goes A-Mummering and many other books for children. Illustrator: Elizabeth Pratt is a Visual Artist from St. John’s Newfoundland. She attended the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design in Fredericton.

Logan’s Many Hats and Logan’s Little Bug

These two large and colourful books are the products of Miramichi author and artist Rita Russell. She uses all sorts of things to create the illustrations in her two books which use her grandson Logan as the subject.

In Logan’s Many Hats, Logan tips his hat in different directions to see which one is going to suit him best.

In Logan’s Little Bug, Logan is fascinated by the world around him and when a little bug enters his world, they go exploring it together.

 

Follow the Goose Butt, Camelia Airheart!

This book is actually an early chapter book designed to appeal to grade 2 and up. Camelia Airheart is a lovable Canada Goose with a faulty GPS or Goose Positioning System. She also has trouble paying attention and quickly gets separated from her flock. When she gets lost, she starts on a journey around New Brunswick. By co-authors Colleen Landry and Beth Weatherbee and Odette Barr (who also provided the whimsical illustrations). All are residents of New Brunswick and this book is the first children’s book published by Chocolate River Publishing.

Website

James M. Fisher is the owner and editor-in-chief of The Miramichi Reader. He began TMR in 2015, realizing that there was a genuine need for more book reviews of Canadian literature. It has since become Canada’s best-regarded source for the finest in new literary releases. James has been interviewed about TMR on CBC Radio and other media sites. James works as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist and lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick with his wife Diane and their tabby cat Eddie.