Today we presented a fellow pregnant colleague with a baby gift as tomorrow is her last day in the office (this is the second one to go this year –I swear there is something in our water!)
I just love baby showers. I think I love the shopping for them most of all (I offered to go procure the gift for our expectant momma!)
Items for infants are so cute, endearing and in such great colours and fabrics. Me being me, I am always on the hunt for a new wonderful baby book as most others go for the super cute outfits and the darling doodads.
I know that a well-chosen book will remain long after the onesies and booties have been packed away and the toys have been forgotten. It doesn’t hurt if it looks rather chic in the nursery too (I’m all for decorating with books!)
Hot off the presses is a fabulous new board book that is sure to be a hit with the baby shower set as well as the babies themselves: Alligator Bear Crab: a Baby’s ABC by Lesley Wynne Petcher (ISBN978155493603, Orca Books, 2011).
Copyright@2011 Lesley Wynne Petcher
This book is swoon-worthy with its gorgeous pastel palette and Japanese woodcut-inspired illustrations. It stands out on the shelves and to wee readers.
I also love the sweet expressions on the somewhat eclectic group of animals that are featured in this book. My daughter, at almost two, can now identify the eagle, koala, newt and urchin in the book and loves the old favourites like the frog, bear and goose!
Apparently this lovely ABC book was inspired by a set of canvas paintings by artist and now author, Lesley Wynne Petcher. Originally born in England, she studied Graphic Design at Concordia University in Montreal and currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
In some ways I can see the influence of the island in her art but I can also see the joie du vivre of a Montreal state of mind in this book. Whatever the influence, this book is what’s wonderful about Canadian kids lit.
Utterly original, very Canadian, adorable, educational and attractive, this book is the kind I live to blog about!
I think I just might get myself a baby shower gift!
SM
I have a few baby showers coming up, and this would make a perfect gift. I love giving books as it is. Plus, Alligator Bear Crab is a great title. It creates a fun mental image.
This is my daughter’s current favourite book now Laurita and can properly identify a porcupine, newt, iguana and koala….not just a good time
nnI had to return my library copy so I purchased my own copy. n