Happy New year my little leaf buddies! I hope you all had a great Christmas and a wonderful start to the year!
I wanted to start the year off by sharing a little book review of a truely stunning book called ‘The Joy in You’, written by Cat Deeley and Illustrated by Rosie Butcher.
I picked this book up when I was Christmas shopping (Because everyone knows you need to buy something nice for yourself too!) I’m always drawn to the kids book section, even more now that it is the career path I want to take, and I’m starting to gather a nice little personal collection!
This little book was on the discount table and I was instantly drawn to its beautiful blue colours and the very organic illustration style. Not to mention the bloody adorable koalas on the front! I just had to have it!
I didn’t think much of it until I got home and was examining my Christmas bounty and decided to read it then and there on the lounge room floor surrounded by unwrapped Christmas gifts.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emotional and happy reading a book.
Now as an illustrator, I do tend to care a bit more about the illustrations than the story. If a story is a bit lacklustre but the illustrations are bomb- I will still think its fab! This book is fantastic in both illustration and story- so we have a complete winner!
This book’s illustrations are just so so so stunning! Rosie Butcher has done such a fantastic job of making you feel all the feels and pretty much receive a big warm hug from every page! From the get go, the illustrations just make you smile and feel all warm and fuzzy. I guarantee you can’t look at the book and not go “Naaaawww” when you see all of the adorably happy animals! The koala is adorable and I loved following him on his adventure through the book. A special shout out to the monkeys who were also just so darn cute!
The colours are on point, the textured are on point, and how she has set out the pages up into double page spreads, panels and single pages all just work so wonderfully in telling the story! Her style is just truely magical and I became an instant fan of her work after reading this book. Please go checkout her socials because she is brilliant!
This book follows a little koala as its mother explains to it that it can do and be anything it wants to be in this world. A beautiful message for anyone to hear- but especially our little folk!
It creates this clear and beautiful message that you can do and try anything you want to. If you want to dance- dance! And do it in your own special way! It also doesn’t shy away from negative emotions, stating its ok to feel scared and to feel feelings in general.
A quote that sums up the book wonderfully is:
“Just do you best. No one will ask more than that. If you Don’t try, You’ll never know how far you can go.”
Which is just so beautiful. All we are doing is trying our best in life- and what a fantastic message to instil into our kids!
By the end of the book I was an absolute mess. I was crying and ‘Naaaaawww-ing’ like I had just read the most emotionally touching book in the history of the universe. And you know what, maybe I did! I’ve read my fair share of kids books- but none of them have touched me quite like this one.
The over arching message about being able to do anything you put your mind to, just doing your best and no matter what happens, you have a loving support network to be there cheering you on is just so special! I think it's a very important message that sums up what every parent wants for their child.
Do yourself a favour and go get this book! Read it to your kids, read it to your dogs or partner and share in the beauty of supporting and cheering each other on with whatever we choose to do in life.
I give it 5 out of 5 leaves!
Have you read ‘The Joy in you’ or another children’s book that has touched your heart? Let me know in the comments so I can go read it too! :)
Much love and warm fuzzies XO
