For a child friendly list of picture books check out My (totally subjective) Best Picture Book Buying Guide Before Christmas 2014.
A Parody
Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees
Illustrated by Gillan Johnson
Just one letter can make such a difference. My kids drove me silly by wanting to hear We’re Going a BEAR Hunt again and again, close to the point of me needing a drink! That must be what these parents were feeling as they are on a night out hunting the bars for a good time and escaping the kids.
We’re going on a bar hung.
We’re going to find a cool one.
The babysitter’s booked …
We’re not old!
Unfortunately the fact that I could relate to the sentiment behind the story, did make me feel quite old.
A Parody
Josie Lloyd& Emlyn Rees
Illustrated by Gillan Johnson
Who hasn’t read The Very Hungry Caterpillar as a child or to young children?
This story follows perfectly on We’re Going on a Bar Hunt and illustrated what you would feel like the next morning, dealing with a hangover while having grown up responsibilities.
At 7 a.m., he has one paracetamol – but he is still hungover.
At 8 a.m., he has two cups of sweet tea and calls in sick – but he is still hungover.
Adam Mansbach
illustrated by Ricardo Cortes
This is quickly becoming a classic. All new parents will be able to relate and will have at least thought this if not actually said it.
There is a hilarious YouTube video of respectable Australian actress Noni Hazelhurst whom many will know from her many years on Play School.
A great gift for any new parents, give it a few weeks and they WILL appreciate it!
Adam Mansbach
Illustrated by Owen Brozman
By the same author as Go the F*ck to Sleep. I haven’t read this one yet, but I need to get a copy, with one child who has finally stopped vomiting when faced with any meat product or vegetables and the other one intent on copying anything his bigger brother does, this sounds like it could be a hilarious release from the frustrations of feeding toddlers.
Claudia Rowe
Bums running wild! This a parody on Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The author/ illustrator also has done a parody on Mem Fox’s Possum Magic (Bum Magic) and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar (The Very Hungry Bum).
Of course, this book has a lot of kid appeal and can definitely be shared with the little ones in your lives, especially if they are into poop and fart jokes.
Dan and Amelia Jacobs
Illustrated by Scott Brundage
Yes! Zombies! Zombie children! Zombie children looking for brains to eat!
These illustrations are awesome and beautiful in its goriness and so much fun.
Not for the fainthearted!
Andy Rash
A count down story with a romantic twist.
My favourite:
Five little zombies scratching at my door.
Acid through the transom, now there are four.
Mostly black and white illustrations with just a touch of colour here and there. Short, sweet and dark.
Michael Rex
This is a parody on The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown, sadly I have never read the original, but look at that cover, what fun.
A little mummy runs away from its mother and threatens to turn into all kinds of other monsters, until he threatens to turn into a little boy, and that is the one thing poor mummy Mummy can’t handle, she’ll have to do awful things such as take him piano lessons, the horror!
Another one to be appreciated by parents.
Ann Droyd
A parody on Goodnight Moon. I haven’t read this one, but here is the link to a trailer. A picture book for the digital age!
Maurice Sendak
So, children will enjoy this one as well, though perhaps not children who are easily scared. This is a gorgeous, almost wordless and elaborate fold-out book that I discovered by chance.
A little boy is looking for his mommy in a world full of mummies and monsters.
Michael Teitelbaum
Illustrated by Jon Apple
Here is another parody on The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This one is on my wish list! Zombie eats through a variety of foods, including astronauts, rock stars, fingers, and brains.
Edward Gorey
26 children (one for each letter of the alphabet) meet their untimely deaths. The book is written in dactyls. (Thanks Renee LaTulippe for introducing me to them.)
Edward Gorey has written and illustrated many ghastly stories and is worth getting to know more about.
A is for Amy who fell down the stairs
B is for Basil assaulted by bears
These illustrations are to … die for.
Florence Parry Heide
Illustrated by Carson Ellis
A story of deadly revenge by the same author of the Treehorn Trilogy (see below) and with art by one of my favourite illustrators.
This is one of my most loved picture books because of the story, the
irreverence, matter-of-factness and humour in the illustrations. And one that I am keeping away from my kids for a little while longer, though the main character of the boy does triumph in the story!
Florence Parry Heide
Illustrated by Edward Gorey
This has the author of Dillweed’s Revenge (see above) and the illustrative talent of Edward Gorey (see above that), so it has to be good!
This is dark, quirky, disturbing and there are three more in the trilogy.
Avery Monsen and Jory John
This book tells it like it is, short, sharp to the point and oh so lonely. Simple illustrations emphasize the existential angst.
