If you are one of these people, you will certainly begin to understand how I felt about these new baby board books by one of the UK's eminent designers - Orla Kiely. Put it this way - the books are out September, I am writing this in June, moments after opening the envelope that contained their bliss within.
Kiely's career began shortly after graduating from the Royal College of Art when she was commissioned by Harrods to design a small range of accessories. From there, this talented designer has grown her range to include a ready-to-wear collection, travel, homewares and stationery.
Her website is stacked with all things über stylish - and adding to that stash is now the most divine little board books you ever did see.
Cloth-bound with stunning design elements (including the designer's iconic leaf insignia), to-swoon-for patterns and sigh-enducing colours - these books are serious book designer bling for babies.
In Colours, the designer presents double page spreads featuring a colour (and we're not talking orange here, we're talking permission accented with coral, salmon, brick and blush) and a thoughtful graphic that's echoed across both pages, from a cup to a yacht, an elephant and more.
In Numbers, the author once again uses luscious design elements to create 1 house, 2 apples, 3 forks, and so on, utilising eye-inspiring pattern, colour and cleverness.
Simple, striking use of contrast and colour, along with those aforementioned graphic design stunners, these beautiful board books are real keepers. Best you get two copies of each because baby will want to eat them. So will you.
Title: Colours / Numbers
Author/Illustrator: Orla Kiely
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: September 2011
ISBN: 9781405258562 / 9781405258555
Format: Hard cover
For ages: 0 - 3
Type: Board Book
