Title: Oskar loves…Written and Illustrated by: Britta Teckentrup
Published by: Prestel Publishing (Random House), 2016
Themes: ravens, what we love
Ages: 18 months – 4
Opening:
This is Oskar.
Oskar loves the deep blue ocean.
Synopsis:
Britta Teckentrup’s Oskar, an engaging feathered character who loves everything! Oskar, who looks like a member of the corvid family loves trees, red cherries, and his favourite pebble. He also loves spring, books, the moon and much more. Children are invited into Oskar’s world and in turn to explore the wonders of their own world.
Why I like this book:
Britta Teckentrup combines beautiful uncluttered geometric art with a simple prose that will feel relevant and real to very young readers/listeners. “Oskar Loves ” invites us all to appreciate the simple things in our lives. The art is what drew me at first into this book and is powerful in its simplicity. The forms can be discussed with children who know their shapes and I believe they could reproduce something similar. This book makes me want to paint, possibly a first in my life. I believe the art could be quite inspirational to young children.
Activities/resources:
- Invite the young readers to answer the question on the last page of the book.
- With older children, art from geometric shapes could be created.
- Check out the interview with the author here.
YEach week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I love the simple and inviting cover. Enjoyed your interview with Britta and will check out her book.
This sounds like such a positive book and I love that the artwork has inspired you to paint, too.
Very clean cut lines showing simplicity in both illustration and text. Suitable for the young. I can see a class using it for making cut out artwork. I would enjoy that.