For years now, artists working in children's picture books have been raising the bar so high and wowing the world with their work. Often we encounter books that are full of such utterly amazing illustrations that it's no exaggeration to say that you'd proudly display them on the wall (or in an art gallery, for that matter).
We've previously told you how Templar Publishing seem to have a knack for attracting the very brightest and best artistic talent working in children's books today and Simon Bartram is no exception. With amazing almost glowing illustrations that always remind me of the superb stuff in classic 'Eagle' comics, Bartram's 'Man on the Moon' books are much loved and 'Bob and the Moontree Mystery' is the latest adventure for intrepid spaceman Bob and his cyclopean doggy sidekick Barry.
Bob finds a mysterious glowing seedy pod thing when tidying up the dark side of the moon. The seed bounces away from Bob and ends up in one of the deepest darkest craters. Thinking the seed is lost for good, Bob thinks nothing of it and heads back home just in time for tea (and the big match).
The very next day, something quite extraordinary happens on the return journey to the moon. Bob's rocket ship crashes into the vast canopy of a gigantic tree. A moontree no less!
Join Bob for the rest of the adventure in this sumptuously presented book, marvelling at just how fantastic Bartram's storytelling and illustrative abilities are.
Charlotte's best bit: Finding the various aliens (which Bob denies even exist) on each page spread, and also counting Barry's legs (at least with six legs, you'll never be short of something to scratch with!)
Daddy's favourite bit: I could spend hours looking at Simon Bartram's fantastic illustrations. We've loved 'Dougal's Deep Sea Diary' and his stunning artwork on Pumpkin Moon. Spaceman Bob books are just as brilliant and should be a hit with any space-obsessed kids (and their parents!)
(Kindly sent to us for review by Templar Books)