Sas' Top Ten Picture Books of 2019

Aroha’s Way by Craig Phillips

I was very excited when we finally got this book, as its initial run sold out pretty fast, and I heard nothing but glowing reviews. This book is about Aroha, and how she wards off nervousness, fear, worry and apprehension with simple mindfulness tools that can be used by both children and adults. At the back of the book there are two pages titled ‘Aroha’s ways to help with Anxiety”, as well as a third page with different websites, 0800 numbers to call, and numbers to text if you, your whanau, or your friends need help with anxiety or depression. A wonderful book that I will be recommending to everyone who has, or works with children.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty & illustrated by David Roberts

This is a fun picture book aimed at older picture book readers, as it is a bit long, and has a couple of concepts that might fly over younger kids heads. However it is a funny story about a girl with a giant imagination, and a thirst for knowledge. Ada is a young girl who draws on walls, makes stinky concoctions, and causes chaos wherever she goes, all in the name of science.






There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling & Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Rosie Butcher 

This is a book that celebrates all the things that makes a child different. A book about finding the awesomeness in your uniqueness - whether tall or short, thin or stout, outgoing, meek, no matter your skin colour, or hair type, whether you speak sign language, or with an accent, if your voice is booming, or just a squeak, if you need glasses, a wheelchair, or a hearing aid – this book is all about celebrating diversity. Top it all off with beautiful, colourful art and you end up with an excellent picture book.





I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong & illustrated by Nidhi Chanani

This follows a day in the life of a young girl going to school, attending classes, making new friends, and speaking in front of the class. While this may seem like a rather plain idea for a book, it is turned into an exciting read as our young hero compares it all to a fantasy story, with her colourful dress becoming her armour, the school bus is a ‘many-headed’ serpent, and (my personal favourite) the library contains a ‘mountain of knowledge’ with the librarian as the ‘Guardian of Wisdom’. This is a clever, sweet book about a young girl with a lot of imagination treating every day like an adventure.

When You Are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
A beautiful story about trying to be brave when things may seem scary. My favourite line was “At times the world can seem… Too big. Too loud. Too hard. Too much.” which I think will be very relatable to both children and adults alike. It then goes on to compare courage to a light hidden inside of you, before giving a couple of techniques to find and focus on feeling brave. A lovely story that may go over younger readers heads, so it would be best to read with an adult who can help them understand.

Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival

A wonderful story about what to do when you are feeling overcome by worry. Ruby is a typical young girl, until one day she notices she has a worry following her around. While it starts off small, it keeps growing and growing and she doesn’t know what to do about it. Thankfully she finds a friend, and the two talk about their troubles until their worries shrink. A beautiful story about the importance of friendship, and talking to people you love when you feel worried about something. A great way to introduce younger kids to looking after their mental health.


I Say Ooh, You Say Aah by John Kane
This is a super fun book that requires at least two people reading it together. It is one of my favourites to read to a class or a group of children, as it is interactive, very silly, and can become very loud! Just be warned, this book will cause any children you are reading it to to shout the word Underpants very loudly, and very often.




All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

Set in a class room, ‘All are Welcome here’ is about the beauty in diversity, and that no matter who you are, or where you come from, all children are wonderful, and that the classroom is a safe space for everyone. – “No matter how you start your day, what you wear when you play. Or if you come from far away. All are welcome here” and a few pages later “We’re part of a community. Our strength is our diversity. A shelter from adversity. All are welcome here.”



                                                      
Bottoms! By Nikki Slade Robinson
Another great book by New Zealand children’s picture book writer and illustrator Nikki Slade Robinson. She has written some of my favourite picture books, and this one is a great one for kids who love potty humour. Filled with different types of bums (both human, and animal) it is a fun rhyming book for those who don’t mind a bit of silliness. A line that is sure to make even the grumpiest child grin is “Your bottom follows you around (and sometimes makes a little sound).”


Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

This is the story of a young prince who finds his true love. At the beginning of the story he is told by his parents that he must find someone to marry and rule by his side, unfortunately none of the princesses his parents introduce him to are what he was looking for. One day a dragon attacks his kingdom, and the prince goes to battle it alone, until a mysterious knight shows up and helps him defend the village. The two fall in love, and the book ends with a beautiful same sex wedding as the entire kingdom cheers. It is a pretty standard fairy-tale, with a fantastic LGBT twist.

Reviewed by Sas