Sigh. This book is truly beautiful.
This is a trip through one Australian family's whole year, month by month.
January: "A time for games and sunny weather, Mum and Dad and us together". February: "New girls, new boys, a new class pet, 'Which new teacher did you get?'" And so on.
There isn't any corniness or commercialisation to be seen in this story. Christmas is celebrated with excitement, but beautifully rather than cheesily. Mothers' Day is treated in the same way, each one a nod to events through the year, but with a classic feel.
The rhyming text flows off the tongue easily, with a touch of subtle humour here and there.
And the illustrations? This is my first introduction to Walker's talent and, oh my goodness. The movement, the soft colours, attention to detail, the whimsy, the fun... I adore these pictures. One double page spread for each month? I would have loved more!
But this is a book for children, right? Well, they'll love it too. Toddlers, preschoolers and early primary school children are intrigued by the length of the year, the months and events and seasons - and this book shows it to them in both dialogue and picture form.
This book is divine, from cover to cover.
Title: All Through the Year
Author: Jane Godwin
Illustrator: Anna Walker
Publisher: Penguin, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: 27 September 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780670073993
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
