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Once Upon a Rhythm by James Carter (Caterpillar Books, 2019)
This book is a fast history lesson on how humans came to make music. The community spirit and engrossing poetic language echo the collective nature of music-making. Highlighting a variety of musical forms, from a simple beat to movements like dub or classical, it's a great invitation for children to get stuck into the world of rhythm.
—Chosen by Elspeth Walker
How the library (not the Prince) saved Rapunzel by Wendy Meddour (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2014)
In this modern-day take on the fairytale, Rapunzel lives in a tower block with a broken lift, growing her hair and daydreaming. She's too dejected to let down her ravishing auburn locks when the Prince shows up on his moped. A letter arrives offering her a job at the local library, where she gets to share her love of reading and expand her mind: “For now she reads three books every night / under the beam of her bedside light.” As an avid childhood reader who became a librarian, how could I not love this book? And is that Ted Hughes’s Crow she's reading on the cover…?
—Chosen by Lorraine Mariner
The Table That Ran Away to the Woods by Stefan Themerson (Tate Publishing, 2012)
This book is a playful reminder of how nature connects with the everyday objects we have in our homes. The simple rhymes combined with wonderful collage and drawings by Franciszka and Stefan Themerson create a book of beauty for readers of all ages. It comes with insights into the artists and their avant-garde practice, making it a great choice for visual art lovers and their children. It's been road-tested by my niece, who loved it so much that when her Nana finished reading it to her, she respondedTa!
—Chosen by Elspeth Walker
Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan (Lothian Children’s Books, 2013)
Shaun Tan's Rules of Summer is a truly unique book; at once melancholy, eerie and heartwarming. Told in a series of one-sentence-long 'rules', it's a tale of two brothers, the youngest trying his hardest - and mostly failing - to keep up with the eldest. Despite the simplicity of the story, Tan paints a rich picture of brotherhood, from friction to friendship. Children will love the vivid illustrations of strange, imaginary worlds that accompany the often absurd rules; adults will love the poignancy and beauty of this tender portrait of growing up with a sibling.
—Chosen by Will René
The Song of Mu Lan by Jeanne M. Lee (Front Street, 1995)
My childhood obsession with the mythical heroine Mulan began with the Disney movie, but the legend of Mulan comes from poetry — a folk ballad of 31 couplets. This is a beautiful edition of the ancient Chinese poem, rendered in intricate, dreamlike watercolours by Jeanne M. Lee. I love the details of Mulan's cloudlike gown and her jade earrings. With calligraphy by the illustrator's father Chan Bo Wan, the parallel Chinese and English text is wonderful for readers like me, who grew up with a little Chinese but can only read a few characters.
—Chosen by Nina Powles
Over in the Grasslands by Anna Wilson (Macmillan Children’s Books, 1999)
Over in the Grasslands was my favourite book when I was a child. The playful rhymes and beautiful illustrations captivated me so much I'd ask my mum to read it to me nearly every night. Now I get to share it with my niece, and rediscover the fun of meeting each family across the grasslands.
—Chosen by Elspeth Walker
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