Make It Grow – Book Review
Bring nature to life by lifting the flaps
By Debbie Powell
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 978-1-84780-789-2
Review by Andy Robert Davies
The influence of textile design within Powell’s work is clear to see throughout this book, making it an appealing read for anyone with an interest in surface pattern design. Abstracted depictions of birds, butterflies, fish and various flora, populate each page and lifting the flaps reveals details that provide the reader with lots to see and discuss. Text and image work well, with the reader being encouraged to investigate each page.
This book is aimed at three-five year olds so when reading it with my two-year-old son, I thought he may struggle to interpret the stylised forms, but for the most part he had no trouble at all and was quickly pointing out the birds, apples, acorns, fish and the big blue butterfly (which was his favourite bit of the book).
Powell utilises a varied colour palette to convey the temperature of different environments and my son picked up on this, making the suitable ‘Brrrr!’ sound when looking at the cold mountaintop. This flap-book feels sturdy and should (hopefully) withstand the onslaught of a toddler/young reader and will help them to learn different colours, animals and plants whilst reading on their own or with a friend or adult.
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