Now here's a really amazing idea for a children's book, and one that serves a noble cause too. "Silver Buttons" is a story that feels like hitting the pause button on the whole world, as Bob Graham's book expertly captures a moment. 9:59 on a Thursday Morning to be precise, just as young Jodie is putting the finishing touches to a rather natty painting of a duck, wearing a top hat, with silver buttons on his boots.

The book unfolds events around this fairly insignificant event as Bob Graham pans around the town, capturing scenes of everyday life from every angle and aspect. We see Jodie's little brother taking his first faltering steps, we see a young wife and child seeing their soldier husband / father off on a tour of duty and the more we delve into the cityscape, the more detail is revealed.

Bob Graham's art style is beautifully uncluttered but at the same time so rich and varied in detail that with each turn of the page, a new scene unfolds or an event is added to as the clock crawls towards 10.00.

As we read this, we felt like birds soaring above the scenes, imaginations soaring and picturing what would be happening in our own town on a precise single moment like this.

Charlotte's best bit: Jodie's rather cute brother as he wobbles and teeters taking his first steps

Daddy's Favourite bit: A great message here, to savour the ones we love, and live in the moment. Beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated as you'd expect from Bob Graham

(Kindly sent to us for review by Walker Books)

A Picture Book Party and you're all invited!

What a packed week! Phew! As you can probably tell from that little image that's appeared on our page background we've been very very lucky enough to be involved with the Walker Picture Book Party this year.

Featuring 5 picture book blogs, 5 utterly wonderful picture books and lots of biscuits, weak lemon drinks, balloons and bunting, you can be sure to find something you'll like in amongst this little lot.

The five books that are the focus of this year's party are utterly utterly amazing so prepare yourself for...

Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins.
Captain Cat by Inga Moore
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
Silver Buttons by Bob Graham
Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters by Jane Yolen and Kelly Murphy

The party kicked off in grand style with the lovely Zoe over at "Playing By The Book" so don't miss her brilliant photoblog and review of the wonderful "Peck Peck Peck" by Lucy Cousins.

Tomorrow it's our turn - We can't promise that we'll have baked fab biscuits like Zoe, but we can most certainly promise you a look at a rather special book indeed.

Wednesday it's the turn of Rainy Day Mum. Let's hope the weather is fine!

On Thursday, treat yourself to a slap up feed and some booky goodness with Mummy Mishaps.

Finally on Friday to wrap up the blog tour and picture book party, join A Rush Of Love and see what they get up to!

Whatever the weather, grab yourself a nice comfy seat and prepare for 5 brilliant books from 4 brilliant blogs (and ours!)