Christopher Silas Neal is the author and illustrator of the award-winning picture books featuring animals, a notable example being “I Won’t Eat That”. The Cat doesn’t want to be conventional; she won’t eat her Cat’s food. Determined by her choice, she meets other animals, such as the field fox, tropical animals, such as the chimp and the elephant, and savanna…

“A Cat Called Waverley” by Debi Gliori tells the story of an unusual ginger cat who experiences the impact of the war. Even though Waverley was born in a park, she lives a spoiled life surrounded by many friends. The best one of whom is Donald, a warm-hearted man who gives Waverley food, a bed during the night, and a…

“Max and Bird” is the third book of the ‘Max’ series created by the award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books, Ed Vere. Two distinctive characters with different ideas about friendship. Who will stay true to its values? “Max is a kitten.” He conforms to the notion that “kittens chase birds”, a statement not warmly…

A fantasy tale about kindness and forgiveness is the debut picture book “Umbrella” by the Guatemalan-born author and illustrator Elena Arevalo Melville. This book review contains spoilers. Clara is a primary-age girl who feels lonely because of the absence of friends. Otherwise, ‘the park would have been perfect ….’ Until she discovers a magical umbrella that brings joy to her…

“Gina from Siberia” is written by the American mother-daughter team Jane Bernstein and Charlotte Glynn. Jane Bernstein is the receiver of two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships in Creative Writing, and Charlotte Glynn is a filmmaker. The spectacular pictures created by Anna Desnitskaya, a Russian illustrator nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, enhance the book’s assets. “Gina from…

“The Secret Sky Garden” (2018, Simon & Schuster) is the creation of the team Linda Sarah and Fiona Lumbers. A book about making a difference in the world by creating something beautiful – a garden that leads to unique friendship. Funni is a girl who loves to spend her time in ‘the old airport car park’. She goes there with…