When little Simon goes on a walk with his Nan, she shows him (as only grandparents know how) that things aren't always as they seem.
A leaf that flutters away? A stick that eats? A sliver of ground the scampers? Exploring the great outdoors is certainly an eye-opening adventure when you look for things that are ordinarily hidden in the great expanse that is nature.
Tania Cox has told a simple tale that totally arrests the heart and makes you grin from ear-to-ear. There was even a long 'awwww' escaping my lips on the last page of the book, it's just that lovely. Cox shows that simple, emotive storylines do NOT need to be eye-rollingly formulaic, predictable, schmaltzy or boring. They can be fresh, gorgeous and totally engaging.
Blair's illustrations are pure delight, and her drawings of Nan and Simon wordlessly acting out each critter they find, are just the ants pants.
This retro-style book, with its 70s typefacing and beautiful illos, sends me back to my own childhood, and is one of my favourite picture books so far this year.
Title: With Nan
Author: Tania Cox
Illustrator: Karen Blair
Publisher: Windy Hollow, $27.99 RRP
Publication Date: March 2012
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9871921136122
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book