Picture books of the month: food for hungry young minds

First we meet Shane, who adores his mom’s rice and peas. But when he takes it into school, Yinka claims her jollof is better. Before long, other friends join in with the tussle – Chong (championing his fried rice), Sadia (pilau), Isabella (paella) and Antonio (risotto) – and soon one of the meals ends up on the floor. Happily, kindness prevails: the kids share their food to replace the lost lunch, and help serve up a hearty and inclusive tale celebrating friendship and cultural identity (and the role of food in both).

It’s great to see more diverse characters taking centre stage in children’s books. This month also brings See for Yourself (Bloomsbury) by author/musician Jordan Stephens and illustrator Beth Suzanna, the follow-up to their first collaboration, The Missing Piece. Suzanna uses smudgy pastels to create the dreamy world of Harry Arco, who comes from a long line of pilots – men who lived for the sky – but who longs to voyage to the bottom of the sea. We see Harry diving to the ocean’s depths, learning about courage and being true to yourself, but it’s the supportive relationship depicted between this young boy and his father, beautifully captured in the cover image of Harry snuggling on his dad’s shoulders, which gives the book real heart.

One to relish reading aloud, Kip and the Squiggledoodle (Farshore), by debut author Em Cosh, reminded me of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems, particularly The Quangle Wangle’s Hat. Resembling a giant peacock, with a penchant for dipping its feathers in custard, the Squiggledoodle is Kip’s imaginary friend, emotional support and fellow adventurer: “Every day they twoddlehopped, they pingalinged and frumped…” Fun, as well as poignant, the book asks what happens to our imaginary friends when we grow up.

Meanwhile, over in Hushville, a boisterous bird hatches out of a huge blue egg and brings chaos in Kerfuffle Bird (Oxford University Press) by Helen Docherty and illustrator Gwen Millward. The buttoned-up Hushlings, with their rabbity ears, Bagpuss-like stripes and repressed emotions, are horrified when Kerfuffle sets up home with them. Everyone except Maeve, who dislikes holding her feelings in and enjoys dancing rowdily under the moon with the new resident. Millward’s scratchy, wild drawings in bright pink, yellow and blue are the perfect accompaniment to this fabulous exploration of feelings and freedom.

Quentin Blake, the master of scratchy drawings, is 92 but showing no signs of slowing down. For his latest offering he takes on author duties, teaming up with Emma Chichester Clark on pictures for Liliana the Strong (Two Hoots). Starring a young girl who can bend iron girders, carry grand pianos and stop runaway steamrollers, but is currently nursing a cold in bed, it’s a witty reminder that just like mere mortals, even the busiest book characters need a rest sometimes.

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