Beatrice Boutignon

Between Il Sung Na, Nicholas Oldland, Karla Gudeon, and now Béatrice Boutignon, I feel as if I need to start keeping a list of promising new picture-book artists to keep an eye on! Originally published in France as Tous les animaux ne sont pas bleus, Boutignon's debut title is a delightfully interactive animal extravaganza, sure to please young readers who like to take some time with their books.

Each two-page spread in Not All Animals Are Blue features five animals, adorably depicted by Boutignon in pen, pencil and oil. On the facing page are five declarative and/or descriptive statements, each corresponding to one of the animals. It falls to the reader to match them up, and the answers aren't always immediately apparent. More of a concept-book than a story, this lovely little title is both educational and entertaining, building the observational skills of young readers. Particularly observant children will note the color clues in the sentences themselves...… (mehr)