It’s my fault for giving my daughter an obscure name but sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to read her a special story where the main character shares her name.
Her name isn’t all that obscure. It’s quite a common name- just rarely given to girls. Her name is Camryn. Isn’t it strong and beautiful all in one? But she’s certainly not a Ruby or a Lily so I won’t go holding my breath waiting for her name to be used in a picture book.
So, I’ll settle for a book with a character who looks like my darling and shares her personality.
That book is called Ivy Loves To Give. Freya Blackwood extends her talent beyond the pencil and paintbrush to write this delightful and warm book about Ivy, a gorgeous toddler with blonde pixie hair and a very giving nature. It’s a special book for me because it is a book about my little Camryn.
Sometimes her presents are the wrong size, don’t sit properly, taste funny, or feel strange.
On the title page, Ivy is trying to give a tutu to her pet cow. In the following pages, we see Ivy attempt to dress a snail in a shoe, position a pair of glasses upon a dog, offer a chook a cup of tea, and calm a cat with a dummy. In the background illustrations, we see Ivy’s family members looking perplexed as they search for their missing items.
Ironically, just days before we came across this book, my daughter was trying to share her toys with a friend’s pet cat. I’m sure you’ll be able to relate the story to your toddler or pre-schooler too.
The double-page illustration in the center of the book is a funny one in which Ivy’s family realizes where their possessions have gone, as they watch the odd scene before them of a cow in a tutu and a dog wearing glasses.
The story then works backwards and Ivy returns all of the items to their rightful owners.
Now Ivy is a toddler after all, and she doesn’t ALWAYS want to give. Luckily for her, she has a kind older sister who lets Ivy keep her tutu.
I have sent an email to Freya Blackwood to let her know how much I love this book. As it turns out, this book is about Freya’s daughter, Ivy, not mine. It does highlight that although each little person has a unique personality some traits are quintessential to toddlers.
Freya Blackwood is at the top of my favorite illustrator’s list. She captures families so authentically and lovingly. Her sweet illustrations, along with a story about toddlers who like to please, make this book an absolute delight that will warm the cockles of any parent’s heart.
Book Details:
Author/Illustrator: Freya Blackwood
ISBN:978-1921541889
Format: Board Book
Publisher: Little Hare Books (Hardie Grant Egmont), September 2010
RRP: A$12.95
Also available as a Hardcover (ISBN 978-1921541377)
