Luka can be bought all over the world but… did you know: there are different regional versions of Luka? If you’re living in the EU or UK, the Luka closest to you is likely to be the Europe Luka sold by the German distributor! At first glance, there’s no difference at all… until you look at what they do. On the surface, they look exactly the same, but they’re actually targeted at slightly different people!

This book ‘clamo[u]r[s] for the right to opacity’ by not simply requesting a voice and your ear, but asking that you look - to see her clearly against a plain white background. The lyrical words and beautiful images use the eyes to make each character opaque - visible - undeniable. We shouldn’t be afraid of our differences and recent events only prove that there are still things we can do.

A Look At Love offers books by various authors and illustrators so you won’t get two books too similar and you certainly won’t get bored! This is a really unique set that, rather, than focusing on a single topic or theme, it branches out into just… well, the life of a toddler! Each one presents a new opportunity to learn about and use the Chinese language as well as about everyday life! Things like saying goodnight or giving big hugs or learning to count or learning the sounds of instruments - the range is truly exciting!

It was a challenge to write this review. And that’s not because the book is bad! On the contrary, the book was so wonderful I was doing my best not to get up and scavenge the kitchen for food! Cheryl, Isabel and Mori have done a truly brilliant job in putting this book together in such a way that respects representations in the book. Food, culture and location come to life on the page and bring joy to your library in a book that’s perfect for almost every kid (and adult)!

Non-fiction is great. Books that can last for a whole year are also great. This series simply combines the two! Every book makes every solar term a delight to discover. It helps children engage with the world they live in by asking them to make observations about seasonal changes and incorporates that with festivals and celebrations, customs and culture. Its format and content mean even adults (including me!) can enjoy, too. Just be mindful when around babies and toddlers!

There are some books that make you want to be a kid again and, for me, this is one of those books. The illustrations are delightful and the book is stunningly designed and put together. Every page is a joy to open and discover and the interactive nature of the book makes it really engaging for kids! This is a wonderful introduction to the Lunar New Year celebrations that children will enjoy!

My Bilingual Book of Nursery Rhymes is the fruit of a bilingual parent’s labour. It’s well thought out and well executed. It delivers on so many points, with Pinyin, Simplified Chinese and English text in parallel, adorable artwork, free audio guides, large font, and colour-coded text. Plus, it all comes in a hardy form factor!

Aside from some issues with race representation and some nudity in the book, Draw Me A Star is like most Eric Carle books in that you can’t go wrong with the bright, eye-catching collage art and the engaging narration that accompanies it. In reading and engaging with the book after reading, the child is encouraged to observe and admire their surroundings.

This book delivers the joy of poetry-inspired rhythm and repetition by Bill Martin Jr. with the classic Eric Carle visual experience. It’s an enjoyable read for both parents and children and works very well in classrooms, too. Learning the colours and animals in Chinese is fun and it’s nice to have the option to choose between hardback and board book, big and small, bilingual and monolingual!

Toshio Fukuda created a lovely series out of a simple and fun guessing game that’s suitable for beginner readers and very young children. The book is lovingly and thoughtfully designed. From the large, easy-to-read font to the soft cartoon drawings of all the cute animals, each book delivers a engaging experience for parent and child.