Thursday, December 1, 2016

Little One by Jo Weaver from Peachtree Publishing [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: Have you ever sat down with a little one and taken a pencil and made simple drawings to entertain them? No color. Just a simple black lead pencil. To the child you have just done something wondrous and special.

In Little One the artist and author has taken the simplicity of black and white with muted shading and told a simple story. Simple visually. Simple text. A few words that share how the mama bear gently leads baby bear as they emerge from den and winter slumber into an awakening world of spring. She leads him on through the summer and into the fall until it is again time to sleep in the den for another winter.

Yes, a spot of color here and there (example: the spring flowers, the fall leaves) might have lent more interest visually; but I chose to enjoy the book as Joe Weaver has drawn it in its beautiful black and white simplicity.

I think this book is a treasure for its lovely story and also for its ability to detail beauty with stark simplicity.

About the book: Spring is here and new life is stirring. There is so much for Big Bear to teach her new cub as they step out into the forest. Together they eat, swim, fish, and play as one season becomes the next. With Big Bears help, Little One grows more and more confident, until winter comes once more and its time to head home. With gentle text and stunning black and white illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the first steps of independence, and the strength of parental love.
GIVEAWAY
Begins December 1
ENDS December 11 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing to facilitate a review of my own opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided directly to the winner by Peachtree.
ISBN13: 9781561459247

18 comments:

  1. Very often, the author's visual interpretation of what they write can be very different than what we may picture in our minds, and so can the illustrator's. It often is very enriching to be exposed to perspectives other than our own.

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  2. All books should have pictures. What is the use of a book without pictures, as Alice said.

    1. Jo Weaver has an MA.
    2. Jo Weaver did the book cover for "The Enchanted Horse."

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  3. I love picture books. It lets the children make up their own stories too. They HAVE to have a place in the world for children to continue to love reading.

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  4. 1) something about the author/illustrator, She lives in north London
    2) another book she has done. Little One

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  5. Jo Weaver has Masters in Illustrated Art.
    She went to Cambridge University.
    Another book she did is "The Enchanted Horse"
    Marilyn

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  6. 1. Jo Weaver has an MA in Children's Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art and was shortlisted for The AOI Illustration New Talent Awards 2014.
    2. Her first book, Little One, is published by Hodder Children's Books (Hachette UK) and Peachtree (USA) and has been translated into 5 languages.
    3. The Enchanted Horse

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  7. I would like to win this for my daughter who just turned eight last week. I love the illustrations; they just draw you into the story.

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  8. I think picture books are wonderful because it makes the story easier to understand for a young child.

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  9. I learned that she lives in north London.

    Another book she has done is "The Enchanted Horse"

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  10. Picture books help hold the attention of younger kids.

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  11. She's lives in England. She wrote The Enchanted Horse.

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  12. Picture books have a big place in reading; they help bring stories to life.

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  13. Picture books are the foundation for lifelong learners and adult literacy.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  14. Here are the two things I learned:

    Another book she has illustrated is The Enchanted Horse.

    She takes her inspiration from the natural world.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  15. I think the illustrations give added depth and meaning to the story. patricia dot mariani dot esq at g mail dot com

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  16. 1. She did the drawings in Little One in charcoal. She uses cake and a walk to see green things for inspiration.
    2. Her other book is The Enchanted Horse.

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    1. patricia dot mariani dot esq at g mail dot com

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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