The best new picture books for your young reader

Reading books is such hobby that very parents want their kids to imbibe. It doesn’t need to be reiterated that books can the best buddies of your little ones. While some children are born with a knack of reading, others may not like to make books their best pals. However, it has been found that kids get easily hooked on to picture books, even if they don’t have the habit of reading. This is because, pictures are more appealing than words, especially to young readers. Although the craze of picture books has faded over time, courtesy the audio and visual books online, writers and image artists are still trying their best to keep the genre running. Here is a list of 5 brand new picture books of 2021 that will help you raise a reader.  

Aarti and the Blue Gods 
This book by Jasbinder Bilan is a unique blend of Celtic folklore and Hindu mythology. The book is set in the remote wilderness of a fictional Scottish island and is suitable for readers above eight years. Aarti, a ten-year-old girl lives alone with her selfish, cruel aunt, away from the world and her own sad past, until a boy washes up on the beach, and she makes a strange yet remarkable discovery. This adventure tale brilliantly interweaves the tangible and the mystical. 

The Memory Thieves 
This tense sci-fi thriller is by Darren Simpson, the renowned author of Scavengers. The story is about young residents like Cyan who submit to Dr Haven’s memory experiments in the Elsewhere sanctuary, to escape deep-rooted trauma. But when he comes upon a hidden message, he sees a new opportunity to rebel and resist the torture. The author tactfully combines swift storytelling with a complex, thought-provoking message about coming to terms with the past. The wonderful illustrations are done by Usborne.  

The Book Cat 
This animal adventure tale is written by Polly Faber, the granddaughter of Geoffrey Faber of the renowned Faber & Faber publisher. The brightly-coloured illustrations are done by Clara Vulliamy. The tale is about the fantastic experiences of Morgan, a street kitten in wartime London who turns into a homely publisher under the patronage of the famous American writer TS Eliot. As the story unfolds, Morgan trains his fellow kittens converting them into writers’ assistants and helps them flee from London. The story runs on the lines of a classic evacuee story with a sweet feline as the protagonist. 

Ten Delicious Teachers 
A collaborative effort by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton, the book features a handful of clueless teachers who miss the last bus home and are forced to take a shortcut through the forest, and comes face to face with hungry monsters who target them, one by one. Funny and cheeky, the story is bound to be a hit in a classroom full of fantasy lovers. The story kind of reminds the readers of Ruskin Bond’s short story A Face in the Dark. 

My Beautiful Voice 
Written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Allison Colpoys, it is a story that unfolds slowly but with a lot of vibrancy. The timid and introvert protagonist hardly interacts in class, until one day her teacher Miss Flotsam provides her with the perfect opportunity to compose a poem, and then to recite it, in her newly discovered beautiful voice. This book is a perfect bedtime read for five plus olds who can find the right amount of inspiration to follow their passions.