matt shanks | Lost in a Good Book

Queen Celine by Matt Shanks

05 Feb 2021 2 Comments

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: aussie books, children's picture book, matt shanks, three stars

Published: 1st February 2019
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Illustrator: Matt Shanks
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Celine Beaufort is queen of what she is quite certain is the most beautiful rock pool in the world. It’s perfect. And to make sure nothing ever changes, she decides to build a wall around it. Unfortunately, that turns out to be a royal mistake. As self-proclaimed ruler, it’s up to Celine to right her wrong and restore her rock pool to its former glory, this time with everyone welcome.

This is a cute book and it has a nice message but it doesn’t really grab you. I didn’t entirely dislike it though, I liked the contrast between every day Celine and at the beach Celine, it highlights how this is her time to shine and become the queen she wants to be. It’s also a good story that shows Celine never intentionally means to cause any of problems that arise. It’s innocent enough and sweet enough that Celine never is shown as malicious or controlling, just a little too enthusiastic and naïve.

But while the story is a tad lacklustre, the illustrations on the other hand are the absolute best. I think I had more fun studying the cute and clever illustrations than I did reading the book. The pictures are adorable and each page is filled with a lot to look at and study. I loved the art style and I loved the tiny details that made up this beach community. Small details like little sea creatures with fun expressions are so gosh darn adorable that I can forgive the underwhelming story that goes with it.

While the story had a nice message about sharing and nature, and Shanks does do a good job in showing us all of that without actually saying it, it doesn’t quite hit the spot.

You can purchase Queen Celine via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

Fishpond | Amazon Aust

Eric the Postie by Matt Shanks

18 Jan 2019 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, five stars, matt shanks

Published: 1st July 2017
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Illustrator: Matt Shanks
Pages: 24
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Eric had a dream . . .he knew he could be the best postman ever. There was one big obstacle-he didn’t have any mail to deliver. Eric is not going to let that stop him . . . An adorable, heartwarming story about chasing your big dreams, no matter how little you are.

This is one of my new favourite books. I loved everything about this book; the story, the illustrations, everything. Eric the echidna is the cutest thing ever and his dreams are so simple yet so sweet.

The story is so heartwarming, little Eric doesn’t want to be a cricketer or a scientist or anything like those in his family have been, instead he wants to be a postie. He details all the reasons why he would be a great postie, his natural deterrent to dogs, his ability to lick stamps, and his ability to keep mailboxes pest free. His only concern is he has no letters to deliver but he soon finds a way around that.

Shank’s narrative is inspiring as Eric doesn’t let anything stop him fulfilling his dreams. The words are simple and there’s only a sentence on each page, accompanied by Shanks fabulous illustrations. There is a perfect match between the words and the illustrations. It adds so much to the story and the illustrations are truly divine, detailed but simple. On a mostly white background the characters are the main focus, a range of colours and Shanks unique style. Eric is adorable and the other animals act naturally as well as anthropomorphically. The best thing in the end is when Eric achieves his dream and makes the absolute cutest postman imaginable.

You can purchase Eric the Postie via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson | Fishpond

Amazon | Amazon Aust

Top Five of 2018

08 Jan 2019 8 Comments

by Amy in Top Five List Tags: adam stower, brittany rubianp, c. g. drews, charlotte reagan, clementine ford, ernest cline, gail carriger, lucy ruth cummins, marc martin, matt shanks, maureen johnson, p. crumble, randall munroe, stuart turton, top five

I made a good decision last year to add all the books I thought worthy of my top five into a list as I finished them. It worked out well because I didn’t have to scramble and try and remember anything I had read or try to recall plot points and emotional responses come December. I ended the year with 5 books on that list, perfect, easy, ready to go and then there came an 11th hour addition on 31st December which made me rethink the entire thing and kick one of my books out. In the end, I think I chose the right books.

This year I have brought back the Honourable Mentions because a couple really do need mentioning. I have also started a Top Five Picture Books because they were remarkable as well and didn’t want to crowd my list. If I was really enthusiastic I might make it a top ten and just merge them together but that is a lot of pressure for next time. This way I can highlight some amazing picture books as well. Click the title to read my review.

A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews

This was the first book I added to my list as soon as I finished it back in May. I patiently waited for this to publish and was not disappointed at how spectacular it was.

Ready Player One (#1) by Ernest Cline

I adored this book. If you love cleverness, video games and are forgiving about having the 80s shoved down your throat then you will love this. There is a sequel coming after the popularity of the movie. I’m not sure I agree but I am willing to give it a go.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

I could not put this book down. I listened to the audio and literally had it in my ears from dawn till dusk. It is amazing and so well planned out.

Loving Lakyn by Charlotte Reagan

Technically a prequel, technically a sequel but it can be read on its own. Either way, it is amazing and I fell hard and fast for these characters. The emotional journey I went on with these boys was incredible and heartbreaking. If I could read about them forever I would.

What If? by Randall Munroe

I had been reading this book on and off for weeks, piece by piece at night before I went to sleep. I finally finished it on NYE and something about it made me instantly decide to add it to my list. It was clever, funny, creative, fascinating. All of these wonderful things the entire time but it was upon finishing it I realised how much I genuinely loved this book. Therefore I had to bump another contender and rise this up the ranks.