Favourite picture books by Patricia Forde

I love picture books. For years now, I have been collecting vintage picture books and buying new ones. I love the way illustration has changed over the years especially the choice of palette. But mostly I love the stories, the funny ones, the lyrical ones and the downright crazy ones. To The Island was a pleasure to write, as I had grown up listening to stories about a mythical island that was said to appear off the west coast of Ireland every seven years. But the real magic didn’t happen until Nicola Bernardelli did the beautiful illustrations.  That is what picture books are all about as far as I am concerned, the magic that happens when story and illustration come together in perfect harmony. With that in mind, here is a list of my top five picture books. Not an easy task!

1. Hoot Owl by Sean Tayor. Illustrated by Jean Jullien

This is such a funny story about a brilliant character called Hoot Owl. The owl narrates the story himself in the most wonderfully pompous voice: I sweep through the bleak blackness like a wolf in the air. He is full of confidence and of his own importance and despite one abject failure after another he doesn’t give up and  finally manages to hunt down and destroy… a pizza! Great rhythm and wonderful to read aloud.  The illustrations are in primary colours and use strong thick outlines. This is a book to reach for when you want to laugh out loud.

2. The Gigantic Turnip illustrated by Niamh Sharkey (Based on a folktale by Tolstoy)

I first heard this Russian folk tale as a child and love this hilarious retelling by the wonderful Niamh Sharkey. Niamh’s illustrations are full of fun and character and I always think that they are totally child-centered. They are folksy but quirky in this book and add to the humour of the chaotic tale. Even though the book was published in 2005 it is still fresh and relevant, talking, as it does, about growing your own fruit and vegetables. Lots of repetition make it another great book to read aloud.

3. Flotsam by David Weisner

I was lucky enough to hear David Weisner speak at an SCBWI conference in New York about 10 years ago. I became a fan on the spot and over the years have managed to collect all of his wonderful picture books, but my favourite is Flotsam. Weisner is a visual storyteller and this book is an extravaganza of madly imaginative illustrations. The story is intriguing, asking you to imagine what would happen if you discovered an old, barnacle-encrusted camera floating in the water. When the photographs are developed they portray a mysterious world beneath the waves. The use of fluctuating perspectives and layouts add to the excitement.

4. The Grotlyn by Benji Davies

I am a huge fan of Benji Davies’ work. The Grotlyn is slightly different to his other work and just shows that you can write a picture book in any genre. This story is a spine-chilling mystery with a lovely poetic rhythm. What is The Grotlyn and what does he want? Why is he sloping through the town and stealing PC Vickers’ knickers? Lots of suspense and intriguing characters. What I love best about this book is the Dickensian setting, full of nostalgia and full of detail. A book I want to read again and again.

5. The President’s Glasses by Peter Donnelly

This is a funny and charming book about a president who has to sign important documents but has forgotten his glasses. The premise gives Donnelly a great opportunity to show Dublin at its best as the president’s pigeon flies to the rescue. We get a bird’s eye view of a bustling O’Connell Street, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College and the Liffey. The illustrations are lively and bold and the fact that this president is instantly recognisable as the actual president of Ireland adds to the humour.

• To the Island by Patricia Forde is available now from Little Island. RRP £11.99 (Received for review as part of a promotional blog tour)