6 New Picture Books to Bring Joy & Laughter

1. 'Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!' Written & Illustrated by Charles Fuge

This book is a wonderful take on an Aussie Christmas. A group of animal friends decide to have their own special Christmas at the beach. The fun starts with a lucky dip for all the goodies in Mrs Roo's pouch! Joey the baby Kangaroo went first and pulled a wooden whistle from mother's pouch. Echidna was next, but Mrs Kangaroo suggested perhaps Little Wombat should dip into the pouch - out came a shaker!

Soon everyone had an instrument and the party on the beach began. The band marched and sang "Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree" and even Platypus, and Rainbow Lorikeet joined in. Mother wombat came with goodies to eat and Echidna was decorated to act as the Christmas tree, with a Starfish on top!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE" they all cheered!  

2. 'Mr Santa', Written & Illustrated by Jarvis

When a little girl wakes up one Christmas Eve, she is very surprised to see Mr Santa delivering gifts! As you would, she gives him a cup of tea, she makes sure he has wiped his shoes, and gives him a tour of house. It's a great chance to ask him questions. Lots of questions!

Can Santa eat clouds? Does he stop at traffic lights? Is his belly button an innie or outie? Does he like cats or dogs? Can reindeer talk? 

And the little girl just knew her brother was on Santa's list as a 'naughty boy'! Finally, Santa takes her to visit his house!

With his signature warmth and visual humour, Jarvis channels the excitement and joy of every child who has dreamed of meeting the love able guy who personifies the most magical night of the year. The little girl had just one question later, "was it real"?

Such a lovely book. Children aged 3-6 will love it!

3. 'Socks: A Kid's Christmas Lament' by J.D. McPherson & illustrated by Anika Orrock

JD McPherson is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Her illustrator Anika Orrock is a writer and cartoonist from Nashville, Tennessee. This alone should tweak your interest! I'm sure many a child (and adult) has opened their presents to find the good old 'standby' gift of SOCKS!! Handy for the Dad or Granddad, who are hard to choose gifts for, but a little kid?!?!

In this book, the author "pays hilarious homage to a stereotypical bad gift―and its disappointed recipients―in a deftly extended picture-book version of his song."

One very disappointed little boy searches everywhere for his presents while Mum & Dad are still in bed. But no! Not socks again?!# He rummages through the laundry, but even there he finds just dirty sock. If only he'd peeked inside the dryer.

"Brought to energetic life in droll, retro artwork by Anika Orrock. Anika illustrated the album cover and liner, Socks will prove a perfect fit for anyone who has ever gotten stressed over holiday gift-giving―and everyone, big or small, who’s come to appreciate the love wrapped up in even the humblest present. Includes a QR code to the Socks song".

This is a very funny book that is beautifully illustrated by Anika Orrock, who makes a special contribution to the work with her hillarious illustrations.

4. 'Don't  Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh' Written & Illustrated by Mo Willems

Mo Willems is well known to readers of children's books. He is a #1 best selling New York Times bestselling, and winner of many awards as an author and illustrator.

We often feel as if there are no more new and novel Christmas stories to tell, but no! When Santa ducks off to wrap some presents, and says to Pigeon "can you watch things for me?" Pigeon sees an opportunity and thinks, "can I drive the sleigh!?!" In fact, he ponders, "it would be a Christmas MIRACLE!" Now what could go wrong? He's sure he can do Santa stuff! He could drive the sleigh. But "where's the clutch? Or the steer-y thing? Or the honky thing? What even makes it go?"

But when he notices a horrible smell and comes face-to-face with a big reindeer, he rushes home to take on a more modest task. He will deliver some wonderful Christmas eggs!

This would be a wonderful book to read to children aged 3-6. The three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems' delivers his ninth Pigeon book, and as usual, it will be well loved by many children.

5. 'The Welcome Cookies' Written by Kaye Baillie & illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan

Everyone loves a cafe. They might look a little different in Australia to cafes in France, England or the USA, but we love the fact that this special community 'hub' is there for us.

A visit each Friday was thing that meant normal, special, something always there. So, when she went on holidays for four weeks, it meant missing out on "four whole visits to the cafe". What to do? She decided to paint a surprise picture for Mrs Plum. But when she arrives home and skips to the cafe to give it to Mrs Plum, Mabel finds the café under renovation by someone new.

As the weeks go by she continues to miss her favourite cafe and Miss Plum’s smiles. Some weeks later, the café reopens, again and Mabel reluctantly visits it with her mother. Will this new place provide Mabel with the same joy she felt in the old place? And will she accept its differences?

In 'The Welcome Cookies', Mabel witnesses what she perceives to be the destruction of a place she loved. But the story shows how even though we can mourn the loss of a place and miss seeing people, if we open ourselves to new things, they can offer new beginnings and a chance for new friendships. The story also shows how a child has the power to make someone feel special and welcome.

What a special picture book! You won't be able to read it to your children without a smile on your face. And your children will want to return to it again and again. Simply fabulous!

With sensitive illustrations giving life to Mabel’s emotional responses, the book will have young and old alike wanting to visit their local café to taste the welcome cookies.

Five Quirky New Picture Books that Will Make Everyone Laugh

Christmas is closer than we think so what better time to get some special Christmas books for children aged 1-10. Five new books from Walker Books. I know it seems early, but sometimes delivery times at Christmas can be very slow.

1. 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!' Written & illustrated by Mo Willems

Now here's a title to get your interest! You'd expect something a 'little' different from Mo Willems, but a pigeon who wants to drive Santa's sleigh?! What could go wrong? And why can't he sneak a drive while Santa's not looking? But, what's wrong with this sleigh? 

But there aren't any gears, or a steering wheel, or even a horn!?

And how does he get it to move? I'll leave you to guess, but better still, just get the book and find out.

2. 'Merry Christmas, Little Wombat' written & illustrated by Charles Fuge 

Now this is an Aussie Christmas story! With a Wombat, Echidna, Kangaroo, Platypus, Rainbow Lorikeet how will this work out? This might be an Aussie take on Christmas, but as the northern hemisphere is often buried in snow, how do they celebrate 'down under'?

But hang on, what might the Christmas tree be like? There are no pines or spruce trees in a southern summer. We need a tree! Help someone!

3. 'Socks' written by JD McPherson and illustrated by Anika Orrock

I love this book! What child doesn't drop hints for the special gifts they'd like at Christmas time? Then again, not all parents are wealthy and can afford many gifts at Christmas. But, while this is very much a wealthy class view of Christmas expectations and gifts it is very funny, it does end with the our cranky kid reflecting on how "love and cheer" don't come in a box. 

Wonderful illustrations from Anika Orrock, and a funny little story from JD McPherson.

4. 'Mr Santa' Written and illustrated by Jarvis

Jarvis (yes that is the full author name) offers a different take on Christmas in this beautifully illustrated and written picture book. What child hasn't wanted to catch Santa at work late at night when they should be sleeping soundly? Or, at least dream about it. This little girl (or perhaps boy) has quite the adventure.

With a stirring in their moonlit room, there's movement at the foot of the bed. Santa is caught 'red' handed! Had he wiped his feet? Well, Santa decides he might just as well sit down for a chat, a nice hot cup or tea or coffee with this little nosy one before heading off.

So Santa, "like to see my fish"? Have some ginger bread. "Do you prefer dogs or cats"? "Can a reindeer talk"? "Can I ride your sleigh"? Wow! Where are we now"? All those penguins, "Are we lost"? "Do you stop at traffic lights"? "Can we visit your house?" "Just one more question" he mumbles as he wakes. "Was it really real?"

5. 'One Wise Sheep' by written & illustrated by Ulrich Hub and illustrated by Jorg Muhle 

Now last, but not least, a short novel for older readers 8-10. Ulrich Hub has written a delightful story with an interesting traditional take on a special time in 4 BC. The sheep are all awake in the dark of night as a new star is in the sky shining as brightly. They're concerned as all the shepherds have gone! Shouldn't "shepherds abide in the fields; they have to stay with their sheep at night". They've even left their back packs behind. Here's an opportunity, there is food in their backpacks!

Then a sheep with a "bobble hat" (beanie) and cries "Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings!" The sheep shares how in the middle of the night "... suddenly a host of Angels appeared in our fields singing praises. I think I even heard trumpets-" "And the good tidings?" the other sheep asked? "What were they? "Oh, I've forgotten he replied."

But while this absent-minded sheep takes some prompting, he manages to remember and share the true meaning of the Christmas. He declares, "A baby was born unto us tonight.. he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger...". Not all the sheep were persuaded by the tidings. So they follow the star in the night sky for they hear that this baby was sent to save the world! It seems the mother and father and child had to come because the Romans had declared a census must occur. Sadly, the sheep arrive too late to see the baby in the manger but find out there is a happy ending, this is just the beginning of the story this little one had ushered in, for He would change the world.