The Colours Of My Love
- Written by Isabel Otter
- Illustrated by Anna Simeone
- Published by Little Tiger
When I’m holding you close, my love is as red as poppies that peacefully sway.
Here in my arms, you’ll be warm and secure, I’ll be with you come what may.
Whilst sitting on my sofa my 19yr old daughter came into the room and was excited to share the latest books that arrived in a box that very morning with me, and this happened to be one of them from Little Tiger. The cover had us both curious, but the inside was an absolute kaleidoscope of wonder that got more and more magical with the turn of each page, and we fell in love instantly.
The illustrations captivate you from the turn of the very first page, with the use of soft lighting in the textures that are layered to not only give the scene depth but also a gentile feeling that offers readers a comforting and wholesome feel throughout. Each page features a specific colour (like the reference of red in the quote from the book above), which corresponds to the the ribbon threaded through the book that becomes apparent on that page, but it is also the use primarily of that ribbons colour throughout the entire unfolding scene that also offers a truly magical element to this book. The only consistent colour being the fox and her cub – the focal characters to the book – with the rest of each two page spread being one colour design in its totality, and to say this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying is no exaggeration. You become pleasantly surprised with each turn of the page that it is possible to continue the beauty and brilliance you;ve seen so far, and not once are you disappointed – including when the book ends (which isn’t normally the case, for you’d be hoping a good book continues on forever!) because the threaded coloured ribbons that are unveiled with each turn of the book come to complete the most perfect conclusion to the rhyming sentenced adventure you’ve been on, a stunning rainbow.
This is such a beautiful way to teach little ones the colours of a rainbow, but it is even more then that given each and every unfolding scene is that of a parent detailing their love for their child, and using colours found in nature draws parralels to Mother Nature and her desire to lovingly nurture all that she has created, protecting it fiercely. Fox and her baby, Cub, look so cute throughout this book, and the loving bond between them being detailed in both text and illustrations is as pure as it is palpable. Parents and Carers alike will be able to resonate with the content of this book, sharing it with children in your lives, with the end result being both reader and child having a heart full to bursting with the love.
I do so hope that there are more titles to come in this “A Sliding Ribbon Book” format, as it really is such a clever design for a book intended to engage and inspire little ones, which this one does from the hop. It has been a real delight to read and the re-read The Colours of My Love, and I personally love that those things referred to in the beautiful rhyming sentences are things little ones can seek out, see in passing and on their travels, and that when those situations occur they will be reminded of these words shared and this book that they came from, and be once again filled with the warmth that knowing you are loved, cared for, safe and protected, and special to those that truly matter gives you.
The Colours of My Love : A Sliding Ribbon Book is available to purchase in all good bookstores in stunning Board Book format.
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