Thank heaven for little Gauls


auls


Asterix made a welcome return three years ago in a new story by a new author/illustrator team Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad, working under the watchful eye of original co-creator Albert Uderzo. Their second Asterix story, just out, Asterix and the Missing Scroll, sees them really getting into their stride. The story of Caesar’s attempt to edit that one annoying village out of his famous histories is funny and clever, full of the ingenious wordplay, slapstick comedy and social comment that makes the books so special. There’s a new character with a striking resemblance to Julian Assange, called Confoundtheirpolitix (check out the second verse of the national anthem to fully appreciate the joke!).


Story collections


There’s a welcome new edition of Mary Hoffman’s collection Queen Guinevere and other Stories from the Court of King Arthur, bewitching retellings of the stories of the mothers, wives and daughters of the Knights of the Round Table, full of magic and excitement; and of Robert Leeson’s The Arabian Nights, an equally spell-binding piece of storytelling. Christina Balit’s glowing illustrations add even more to the appeal of each.


As part of his tenure as Laureate na nÓg, Eoin Colfer has compiled an anthology of original stories and poems by Ireland’s top children’s authors, each inspired by a place. Once Upon a Place is a terrific collection with a delightfully varied range of stories and, while Ireland provides all the settings, the appeal is universal. Black and white illustrations by the peerless PJ Lynch make this even more special.


Outstanding non-fiction and information books


The past few years have seen a renaissance in non-fiction: Google might provide information, but it can’t match these books for beauty or for the skill with which information is presented. In Counting Lions Stephen Walton renders photographs of wild animals into charcoal, creating astonishing full page drawings that put readers eye to eye with the subjects: tigers, penguins and Ethiopian wolves amongst others. Short, inspiring pieces of text accompany each illustration and there are notes and suggestions for further reading at the end. Kristjana Williams takes a completely different approach in The Wonder Garden, another lavish exploration of the natural world. Step through the golden gates on the cover to enter five of Earth’s richest natural habitats; the plants, flowers, animals, birds and fish that live in each of these distinctive habitats are shown in detailed and brilliantly coloured double spreads, guaranteed to inspire readers of all ages. Katie Scott, illustrator of last year’s bestseller Animalium, is creator of The Story of Life: Evolution, which illustrates on concertina-like pages the first chapters of evolution starting with the single cell-organisms and ending with Homo Habilis. Scott’s elegant illustrations demand to be studied in detail and there’s information on the creatures on the reverse.


Another unusual book that combines natural history with myth in a picture book format is Hare by Zoe Greaves and Leslie Sadleir. The daily life of this most secretive of our wild animals is described in beautiful colour spreads and followed by pages of myths and stories about hares. This is a book to be savoured by children and adults.


Another u th lb k th t lhi t ith th i


For anyone who yearns for a life in the theatre National Theatre’s All About Theatre is a must have. This large and comprehensive book explains exactly what it takes to put on a show, from script through to opening night, explaining the roles of the many different people involved. It’s a fascinating read full of real back-stage information. For those dreaming of the stars above our heads, then the Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook will make them seem that bit closer. This is the essential book for would-be astronauts, telling you everything you need to know about how to become an astronaut, and what it’s like to live and work in space. There’s an introduction by the UK’s very own astronaut Tim Peake.


Festive fiction


A combination of first-class writing and beautiful illustrations make these works of fiction into superb Christmas gifts. The Wolf Wilder is a fairy-tale adventure of the wildest kind, but inspired by real-life Russian history, full of exciting scenes and ideas; it’s a perfect winter read for young revolutionaries aged ten and up. Heartsong by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Jane Ray is set in Venice’s Ospedale della Pietà and imagines the life of one of its young orphans, learning to make music with composer Antonio Vivaldi: author and illustrator are in perfect harmony, and this atmospheric, ultimately uplifting story will stay with readers. Michael Morpurgo is on typically heart-warming form in his little story Clare and her Captain, the story of a girl’s friendship with an old man and his horse. Catherine Rayner’s delicate illustrations bring to life all the characters, human and animal.


Pugs of the Frozen North is another brilliant co-production from Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. The story of a race across the ice in a pug- powered sled, it’s as wacky and eccentric as their previous collaborations but surprisingly poignant at times, and a proper adventure.


Stocking fillers


I hope there’s space to squeeze some paperbacks into their stockings and for giggles on Christmas morning try Squishy McFluff’s new adventure Secret Santa, which brings the invisible kitten face to face with Father Christmas, or Cas Lester’s bad-fairy story Wonky Winter Wonderland. Gabriel-Ernest and Other Tales by Saki with new illustrations by Quentin Blake is altogether darker, indeed often macabre, but a collection that should inspire a passion for short stories, as should Eva Ibbotson’s The Christmas Star, three typically brilliant stories that will light up Christmas.


Happy shopping! Click here for a list of all titles mentioned


Books for Keeps No.215 November 2015 13


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