One of the best moments of the week is when the postman rings the doorbell and hands me a pile of books to review. Parents often ask me for recommendations so here are some of the best new picture books for children aged five and under. Thank You, Mr Panda by Steve Antony (Hodder Children’s Books, £6.99) Steve Antony is one of the most talented illustrators around. The Queen’s Hat ...keep reading
How appropriate on the Queen’s 90th birthday to receive the brand-new paperback edition of one of my favourite children’s books – The Queen’s Handbag by Steve Antony. It’s even more appropriate considering that little Mia Tindall, Princess Anne’s granddaughter, stole the show in Annie Liebovitz’s stunning portrait of the Queen with seven of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. How? Because in an apparently unscripted moment, she picked up her great-granny’s £1,000 ...keep reading
My children are grown up now but I’m a pushover when it comes to picture books. Steve Antony’s work is the very best of the genre so when his latest children’s book dropped through the letterbox I grabbed it with both hands and read it in a trice. The good news is that the author of The Queen’s Hat and The Queen’s Handbag has done it again. I’ll Wait, Mr Panda ...keep reading
The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony was one of my favourite children’s books of 2014. I wasn’t the only one to love it either. Children were bewitched by the tale and it deservedly won Oscar’s First Book Prize, a prestigious new award launched by the Evening Standard. Now Steve has created a follow-up, The Queen’s Handbag, and it’s every bit as enchanting as The Queen’s Hat. This time round the ...keep reading
From Emma Chichester Clark to Oliver Jeffers, children’s picture books are going through a golden age right now. Steve Antony is another artistic talent to watch. His previous book, The Queen’s Hat, was a gorgeous story about the Queen pursuing her hat through the streets of London. I wasn’t in the least surprised when it was nominated for the 2015 Kate Greenaway Medal. Now, hot on its heels comes Antony’s ...keep reading
If you’re looking for a gorgeous new picture book for a small child look no further. The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony has everything you want in a book – enchanting illustrations and a story that’s full of fun. This is Steve Antony’s first book and there’s no doubt that he’s an author and illustrator to watch. The star of the story is the Queen, who’re we told, is on ...keep reading