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It is certainly amongst my to-do …
Jack and Boo are characters created by family publishing team, Philip and Eleanor Bell. Their first book takes them to the beach, and on an adventure to discover hidden treasures.
The Beachy Books website explains what they are hoping to achieve.
‘Beachy Books is a small family run publishing company. We are passionate about books, especially children’s books. Our first book is a picture book called Jack & Boo’s Bucket of Treasures. It has been written, illustrated, designed, typeset and published by us. We plan a whole series of Jack & Boo adventures in 2010, as well as publishing other books for older children.’
It is evident from reading their début book that they do not lack passion. Jack and Boo’s adventures on the beach are lovingly regaled, and the illustrations are a mix of colourful drawings placed upon actual pictures that I believe are actually ones taken by the illustrator.
This style reminded me of another book I recently reviewed: George and Flora’s Secret Garden published by a wing of the Eden Project.
Personally I am not entirely sure I like this style, but it is definitely one that children relate to and enjoy. I could see my five year-old boy getting taken in by them, and picturing himself in scenes of his own beach adventures.
The text has a whimsical edge, and anyone who has fond memories of the beach will have those happy thoughts brought right back to them.
Its narrative gets smoother as the books goes on, and small illustrations of the items featured within it offer additional interest and an excellent first point of reference for a inquisitive child wanting to know what ‘bladderwrack’ is for example.
As well as the story of Jack and Boo’s discoveries the book also carries a ‘Beach Spotter Guide’ and ‘Family Beach Ideas’. I found the guide in particular useful. With a child learning to read having a checklist of items you may find on a beach, as well as in this story, makes for an excellent aid.
This book has a cover price of £7.99, but I found it cheaper on Amazon.
Some of those that have already bought this book via the giant of online book sales left favourable Amazon reviews, and it reads like this may be an excellent book to buy as a gift.
You can find more about Beach Books on their website, and also follow Beachy Books on Twitter.
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