The Little Puppy by Nicola Killen

The cover on today's read had me smiling the second I saw it. So much love and so cute! But I didn't expect anything else from this author/illustrator. This is the 7th book in the series, and I can't wait to see what new adventure is in store.

So, let's take a look!

THE LITTLE PUPPY 

My Little Animal Friend

by Nicola Killen

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING DECEMBER 17th!!!

From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes an adorable story about Valentine’s Day and puppy love, tenderly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely red foil and interactive die cut pages.

When Grandma comes for a special Valentine’s visit with her puppy, Milo, Ollie spends a special day playing with her new friend.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Expectations smack against reality in an adorable read about dealing with disappointment and discovering new fun.

Ollie is so excited! Grandma has brought her puppy with her for the day, which means Ollie gets to play with it and have the most fun ever. At first, everything works out great, but when Ollie leaves the room for a few minutes, disaster hits. Ollie can't believe her perfect day with the puppy is ruined. Needing to get away, she heads outdoors and sulks. But then, something unexpected happens.

This series features Ollie, a young girl who loves to wear various animal-like outfits (something some kids really seem to enjoy doing). The tale is gentle, yet holds a twist of fitting adventure to showcase Ollie's imaginative and lively nature. Her actions are understandable, and it's easy to connect with her as she faces disappointment, grows upset, and isn't sure what to do with it. The situation is one readers can identify with and will recognize similar situations from their own lives. 

There's a playful, almost fantastical tone to the story, which keeps the messages light and lets the magic of the character and scenes shine through. Much of this is due to the illustrative style, which stays in the white/gray tones with only little details here and there presented in a very clashing, bright color. It creates a dreamlike landscape, which is calming and invites the reader in. The text flows very well, fits to the age group, and makes a lovely read-aloud. 

And here she is...

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals: rhinos and penguins. She designed cards before starting an MA in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books, including The Little Kitten, The Little Bear, The Little Tiger, The Little Puppy, The Little Rabbit, and The Little Reindeer, which was called “an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm” in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and “magical” by Publishers Weekly. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England.

Happy Book Birthday, The Little Tiger by Nicola Killen

I have another book birthday to share today! This one adds to a lovely series by Nicola Killen. I have enjoyed the other books quite a bit and added them to my bookshelf already. So, I was excited to get my hands on the latest edition (especially in time to celebrate the release!) and curious what the author and planned next for this cute character.

Not only do the illustrations always catch my eye, but the character and her desire to 'be' other animals, reminds me of my own siblings, children, and several nieces and nephews...or maybe, this says something about the mental state of my family? 

Anyway, off we go to see what happens when Ollie decides to be a tiger!

THE LITTLE TIGER

by Nicola Killen

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes an adorable story about new friends and birthday surprises, tenderly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages.

For Ollie’s birthday, her wish came true! In a brightly wrapped box was her very own tiger suit. Ollie practices her very best Rooooaaarrrr , then a bunch of colorful balloons and a gust of wind carry Ollie to the forest where she makes new animal friends. Elephant, Monkey, Sloth, Rhinoceros, Zebra, and Lion help make the most wonderful birthday party for their new friend.

GOODREADS    /   B&N    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The magic of imagination flows into a wholesome adventure in a read to snuggle up with and enjoy.

It's Ollie's birthday, and how lucky she is to receive a tiger costume! But she barely has enough time to give her first roar before a giant bunch of colorful balloons floats past her window. Determined to catch them, she runs outside...but little does she know that those balloons will lead to so much more.

I've enjoyed every book in this series, and this one isn't any different. Ollie's love for animals and her joy in pretending to be different ones, won't only connect with those young readers, who enjoy being animals themselves. This book (or the entire series, really) allows imagination to flow with a warming innocence, while still sliding in a bit of fun adventure. Ollie's determination to catch the balloons is easy to understand, and the surprise that awaits her brings a smile to the face. It's hard not to want to jump right into the pages and celebrate right along with Ollie's friends.

The illustrations give the tale a lovely, gentle atmosphere. Killen sticks mostly to grays and whites, which set a calming, dreamy tone. The style also allows the details to gain crispness...and Killen adds all sorts of tiny goodies here and there. Then, the pops of color come in, highlighting certain elements in all the right ways. As if that weren't enough, there are glistening hints added to some scenes, giving the last magical touch. 

This makes a good read-aloud for groups as well as individual settings. It invites to dreams, although it isn't really a true bedtime read. The text fits well to the age group and is concise enough to allow the illustrations to share the work. The party scenes came across with a little dizzy-ing activity (as parties tend to) and rings with the wonders of friendship. So, there is quite a bit of goodness in these pages. It slides nicely in with the rest of the series and already has me wondering what might come next.

Happy Book Birthday, The Little Bear by Nicola Killen!

It's time to celebrate a new release! Today's read is a picture book, which is part of a series written by Nicola Killen. I remember receiving her first picture book about this little girl, Ollie, several years ago and immediately being hooked. Her books haven't disappointed me yet, since I'm a fan not only of Ollie's love for dressing up but also love the art style with its carefully added colors.

So, happy book birthday, The Little Bear!!!

THE LITTLE BEAR

by Nicola Killen

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes an adorable back to school story about a bear cub soothing a little girl’s fears, tenderly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages.

The end of summer can be a bittersweet time, and Ollie isn’t sure if she’s ready to go back to school. But the night before her first day back, Ollie dreams about a magical schoolhouse in the woods full of friendly little animals who make learning an adventure. When Ollie wakes up, she can’t wait to go to school!

GOODREADS    /   B&N    /    AMAZON 

MY TIDBITS

Gentle illustrations with a touch of shine add magic to the tale of a little girl and her nervousness for the first day of school.

Ollie has her first day of school the next day. She's packed her backpack and, by bedtime, is as ready as ready can be. After falling asleep, she's awaken by the sound of an owl. She decides to follow it and heads outside and into the forest, where she realizes that some of the animals are following the owl, too. When a little school house appears between the trees and a small, hesitant bear waits off to the side, her adventure begins.

I'm already a fan of this illustrator's works, so I was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC. It did not disappoint. Not only is Ollie as cute as always, but she's in another animal costume and ready to go. This always makes me smile since I know so many kids of that age, who would have worn their 'animal-self' to school if they could have (a couple of my own kids included). 

This tale dances perfectly on the edge of dreams and reality, making sure that the reader is left to guess, which side it is. The text flows very smoothly and makes a lovely read-aloud, which is very appropriate for the age group. 

Ollie's nervousness for the first day of school is subtle and underlays her sense of excitement. Unlike many tales, which deal with this theme, the nervousness is indirect. Instead of dealing with it herself directly, the theme switches over to a small bear and allows her to help him. It was a kind approach, which leaves a sense of happiness.

And I'm not going to forget the illustrations because those were more than lovely. The characters stay in shades of white, gray, and with a hint of black, while the surroundings gain a touch of dark blues and yellows...only Ollie's cheeks get an extra dab of pink. The result is a dreamlike setting, which invites in. As if adding a sprinkle of magic, gold, shiny details are dabbled in here and there. 

This is a wonderful read to help with those first-day-of-school nerves, but also works great as a bedtime read.

And here she is...

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals: rhinos and penguins. She designed cards before starting an MA in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books, including The Little Reindeer, which was called “an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm” in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and “magical” by Publishers Weekly. The Little Reindeer was named a Horn Book Holiday High Note. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England.

Review: The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen

THE LITTLE KITTEN

by Nicola Killen

Paula Wiseman

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

 COMING...

JULY 21st!!!

From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes a charming autumnal story about a little girl who must return a lost kitten to its home, lovingly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages.

Ollie and her cat Pumpkin are out frolicking on a beautiful fall day when they come upon a tiny kitten shivering in a pile of fallen leaves. Ollie warms the kitten up and the three become fast friends, but when Ollie sees “Lost Kitten” posters hanging on the trees in the forest, she knows she has to help her new friend get home. As Halloween draws nearer, magic is afoot, and Ollie’s good deed is rewarded in an unexpected way.

         

MY TIDBITS

While this author's book, The Little Reindeer, warmed my heart, this new one has made me an absolute fan of her work.

Ollie goes outside to play with her friendly cat, but as she stares at a pile of leaves, she sees it move. A burst of wind exposes a hidden bundle of fur...and the adventure begins.

First off, I enjoy the illustrations in this book. They are mostly kept in black, white, and grays, leaving only certain objects to burst forth in glorious shades of orange. Add the metallic touches on the cover, and it gives the book a high quality, eye-catching, and yet, heart-filled atmosphere, which promises to charm...and does.  The little 'windows' scattered through the book to reveal past and future pages, adds a cute aspect young listeners are sure to love as it wakes their curiosity and allows a type of continuous connection between the scenes.

The tale is sweet and hits upon so many emotions young listeners can easily identify with. Ollie is a sweet girl, with a pure love for her cat and those around her. And she enjoys to play like any other child. Her moments with the cats will have listeners sighing and remembering their own moments of petting one, and her journey into the forest awakens curiosity and a small sense of adventure. When things start to take a more serious turn, young listeners can anticipate what might happen next, which raises the tension nicely and definitely draws in.

The ending and journey bring several lovely messages. There are friendship, forgiveness, feeling lost and alone, hope, the joy of helping others, and the happiness of having someone to truly care for you. It sounds like a lot, but the author masterfully weaves all of this into a simple and lovely tale, which is sure to become a favorite especially during the autumn months.

Oh! And there's a humorous surprise, which is sure to bring wide eyes and remarks at the end...a perfect spot of unexpected magic and humor to seal off a simply wonderful read.



And here she is...

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals. She designed cards before starting an MA in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books, including The Little Reindeer, which was called 'an original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm' in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and 'magical' by Publishers Weekly. The Little Reindeer was name a Horn Book Holiday High Note. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England. Learn more about Nicola at www.nicolakillen.com.

Review: The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen

THE LITTLE RABBIT

by Nicola Killen

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 7

From beloved author/illustrator Nicola Killen comes an enchanting spring story about a magical friendship between a little girl and her stuffed rabbit who comes to life, lovingly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages.

Ollie and her favorite friend bunny have been waiting for the rain to stop and spring to come, and at long last the sun arrives. Ollie puts on her rain boots, wraps bunny in a warm scarf, and the two set off for exploring. Then a sudden breeze whispers past and bunny’s nose twitches and their magical adventure begins…

The Little Rabbit is sure to enchant and charm young readers and is great for sharing with a friend.

MY TIDBITS

With imagination under the rabbit ears, this read hops into an exciting adventure and invites to dream.

Ollie and her toy bunny can't wait for the rain to stop, so they can play outside. When they venture out into the still wet and breezy world, something terrible happens. Bunny finds itself in a difficult predicament, one that Ollie's not sure she can save him from. But then, every good adventure stretches imagination to its limits.

The moment I picked up this book, I could tell it was done with care. Not only because of the fun story which truly invites to imaginative adventure, but also thanks to the extras in the pages. Little windows are cut out here and there to allow the reader a 'peek' through to the other page. Golden, metallic touches scattered between the pages give it a sense of quality and add a nice variety. The illustrations are mostly down in shades of grey and white, allowing the small dabs of color to accent in just the right places. The book simply invites young listeners to flip through the pages on their own after the story is read to them.

The tale itself is an adventure. Ollie is a cute girl who has an obvious loves for rabbits. She's even adorned in a rabbit costume. Her adventure outside illustrates her joy for simply playing in nature, an aspect especially important to remind kids of in these modern times. While the rabbit does find itself in a dangerous situation, its enough to jack the tension up high without crossing a border, which might scare more sensitive readers. After that, the story takes flight and lands into pure fantasy with twists which surpass logic and land into joyful fun.

It's a great read before bedtime and is a fun read.

And here she is...

Nicola Killen has always loved drawing and still likes nothing better than taking her sketchbook to the zoo to draw her favorite animals: rhinos and penguins. She designed cards before starting an MA in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, and since then she has been working on her own books. Her most recent book is The Little Reindeer, which was called "entertaining... aperfect bedtime read" in a starred review by Kirkus Reviews and "magical" by Publishers Weekly. The Little Reindeer was named a Horn Book. Holiday High Note. Nicola Killen lives and works in Cambridge, England.

Review: The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen

THE LITTLE REINDEER

by Nicola Killen

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book/Holiday

32 pages

An enchanting Christmas story about a magical yet unlikely friendship between a little girl and a lost reindeer, lovingly told and illustrated with red foil highlights and interactive die cuts.

When a jingling sound wakes her from her sleep, a little girl’s dreams come true when she meets a lost reindeer in the forest. They set off on a magical adventure and it becomes a Christmas never to forget. Nicola Killen’s evocative illustrations are sure to enchant in this beautiful book with die cut pages, foil, and flashes of festive red.

MY TIDBITS

A charming tale, which carries the beautiful simplicity of wondrous Christmas magic.

Ollie has just snuggled into bed on Christmas Eve, when the sound of bells draws her to the window. Curious, she grabs her sled and heads outside to discover where the jingling is coming from. In the forest, she discovers a cheery collar with silver bells, and soon, the reindeer it belongs to. This is when her real adventure begins.

Ollie is a brave little girl with an adventurous spirit and mounds of curiosity. Even the reindeer costume she wears from the very first page—a characteristic which exists in the illustrations without explanation—makes it clear how much she feels at home in fun and fantasy. Her short but exciting trip is sure to invite young listeners/readers to dreams of their own, and the ending leaves with a comforting sense of Christmas warmth. But it's the illustrations which really make this book a treat.

The mostly black and white scenes express a comforting simpleness, while still being detailed enough to grab and hold young listeners/readers' attention. Bits of color are sprinkled in with careful thought, drawing emphasis in exactly the right spots. The added dabs of silver give the entire thing a touch of special significance, creating a more valuable feel.

This is a gentle book to snuggle up with under a fuzzy blanket and after a warm cup of hot chocolate. It warms the heart, allows Christmas dreams to fly and is sure to become a cherished favorite.

BOOK BUZZ

“An original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A quietly magical tale of holiday miracles and nighttime adventure.” —Publishers Weekly 

“Killen works magic through simplicity in this understated holiday story…A perfect bedtime read; little ones will cozy up to this sweet book and drift off on their own reindeer-fueled flights of fancy.” —Booklist 

“An elegant book that has a calming effect; a perfect holiday bedtime story.” —School Library Journal 

And she is. . .

Nicola Killen worked in greeting card design for many years before embarkng on the master's course in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Her designs are featured on products for many retailers including Paperchase, John Lewis, Clintons, BHS, Sainsburys, Tesco, Boots, and Book Tokens. Since graduating, she has been illustrating and writing picture books, board books, and pop-up books. She lives in Cambridge and works in a studio she shares with friends.