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Find out moreLaunched this year, Old Barn Books is an independent publisher specialising in illustrated books for younger children.
Longlisted for the inaugural Klaus Flugge prize 2016 Kate Prendergast’s wordless picture book is a touching, beautifully told story of love and loyalty. A boy tears down the stairs and in his rush to leave the house drops his hat. His dog notices, picks up the hat and chases after his boy all the way to the tube station, then makes a solo journey on the underground, jostled by crowds, until he finally catches up and presents the boy with his hat. Illustrated throughout in soft pencil, the red and white stripes of the hat provide a bright focus in each illustration, keeping the spotlight on the dog. There’s no need for words, the action and narrative is completely carried by the pictures, and dog and boy are real characters. ~ Andrea Reece
A playful book of opposites, this stunning and robust novelty board book contains 9 press-out pieces to be slotted into die-cut spaces and a mylar mirror to learn new words and practice motor skills and shape recognition.
This is a very special picture book, and not just because of the beauty of Leslie Sadleir’s illustrations. Zoe Greaves has created a hymn to the hare, in nature and mythology. Of all our wild creatures, hares have the most secrets she says, all at once comical and regal, provoking a mixture of awe, affection and fear. Beautiful colour spreads of hares in the countryside at different times of the year are accompanied by short lines of lyrical text and followed by pages of stories and narratives about hares. This is a book with a very wide appeal, one to be savoured by adults and children. ~ Andrea Reece
This beautiful board is the perfect first introduction to Alice. Babies and toddlers will love the playful and quirky characters Alison Jay brings to life with her own unique perspective whilst encapsulating the zany other-worldness of Carroll's novel.
Teddies take the wheel in this busy and attractive board book, and David Ellwand’s collection of vintage bears certainly look very at home in their battered but stylish old-style racing cars. Yellow Bear is the favourite to win but his race comes to a sudden end when black smoke starts pouring out of his exhaust. Wheel to wheel the cars speed on until on the final lap Tiny Teddy just edges into the lead to take the chequered flag and be crowned champion. The text is great fun to read aloud, and full of drama, while bears and cars are equally full of character and simply irresistible! ~ Andrea Reece
In the beautiful setting of a bluebell wood one bear goes out to play, picnic basket in hand. On each page that follows he’s joined by another teddy bear friend ready to join in the fun until ten happy and hungry bears assemble for their picnic tea and cake. A jolly rhyming text encourages the reader or the read-to to count along and the bears, all favourites from David Ellwand’s vintage collection, are real characters! There’s a little dog hiding among the bluebells too for sharp little eyes to spot. A genuinely charming and unusual counting book. ~ Andrea Reece
In spite of its name, Old Barn is a new, independent publisher of illustrated books for children, as well as gift books (if you happened to be looking for ‘gifts’ for any reason in the near future!) for adults. Mixing new and established artists, an experienced passionate team of publishing gurus have collected a wonderful collection of beautifully illustrated stories. Have a look at the books in this special category and share in the wonder of Old Barn’s new favourites!
The artwork in these books is exquisite. The Mad Hatters Tea party, from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Alison Jay.
The fine, soft illustrations of this wordless picture book, Dog On a Train by Kate Prendergast.
Leslie Sadleir’s beautiful illustrations of the wild Hare.
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