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Children's reading lists

10 inspiring books to teach tots about empathy

Beegu

Alexis Deacon's second picture book is as wonderfully fresh and inventive as his first

Beegu is not supposed to be on Earth. 
 
She is lost. She is a friendly little creature, but the Earth People don't seem very welcoming at all. However, so far she has only met the BIG ones. The little ones are a different matter . . .

This tale of an extraterrestrial is given depth and pathos by heart-twanging illustrations.

An absolute treasure, full of visual metaphor and riches which reveal themselves more and more at each reading

The accomplished artwork underscores the children's easy acceptance of Beegu and highlights the book's uplifting message that acts of kindness have lasting effects

Alexis Deacon's atmospheric illustrations capture the pathos of being an outsider

Alexis Deacon is an outstanding young artist whose illustrations give 
extraordinary depth and meaning to a very simple story

Alexis Deacon graduated from the University of Brighton, where he studied Illustration, gaining a first class honours degree. Alexis Deacon was one of Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators in 2008, and Beegu was a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Alexis lives in London.

Beegu is not supposed to be on Earth. She is lost. She is a friendly little creature, but the Earth People don't seem very welcoming at all. However, so far she has only met the BIG ones. The little ones are a different matter . . .

The Selfish Giant

The classic Oscar Wilde story is now beautifully illustrated and abridged by Alexis Deacon.

The timeless morality tale ... is simply but effectively retold in this superbly illustrated edition. The contrast between the apocalyptic desolation of the giant’s nightmarish isolation and the rich vitality of the restored, child-filled garden is dramatic and filled with telling detail, and the gradual realisation of the havoc he has wreaked makes the giant’s conversion quite moving. Easily understood by even the youngest of readers.

Deacon breathes new life into Wilde’s timeless fairytale in a stunning new abridged version of the classic

Alexis Deacon has interpreted, and enriched, this much-loved Oscar Wilde fairytale with stunning new illustrations. The transformation of the giant from selfish to caring is beautifully realised

Deacon has abridged the story here for early years children and his bold, atmospheric illustrations paint a memorable portrait of the dark and light shades of this timeless story which emphasises the power of love and the importance of sharing and forgiveness. 
Beautifully designed and produced, this marvellous adaptation is an ideal gift for all young readers.

Illustrator Alexis Deacon has been rightly praised for his beautiful drawings, and he has put his talents to good use by breathing life into Oscar Wilde’s timeless fairytale The Selfish Giant.

Oscar Wilde (Author) Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin on 16 October 1854. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford. He later lived in London and married Constance Lloyd there in 1884. Wilde was a leader of the Aesthetic Movement. His only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, was first published in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890. He published a revised and expanded edition in 1891 in response to negative reviews which criticised the book’s immorality. Wilde became famous through of the immense success of his plays such as Lady Windemere's Fan (1892), An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). 
 
In 1985, after a public scandal involving Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, he was sentenced to two years' hard labour in Reading Gaol for 'gross indecency'. His poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol was based on his experiences in prison and was published in 1898. After his release, Wilde never lived in England again and died in Paris on 30 November 1900. He is buried in Père Lachaise cemetery. Alexis Deacon (Illustrator) Alexis Deacon graduated from the University of Brighton, where he studied Illustration, gaining a first class honours degree. Alexis Deacon was one of Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators in 2008, and Beegu was a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Alexis lives in London.

The Selfish Giant has a beautiful garden, but he won't let any of the children play in it. Winter comes and never leaves, until the power of love brings Spring and joy into the Giant's garden and his heart...

Alexis Deacon

The softly coloured pictures convey all the emotion and complement the feel of the book excellently. A wonderful heart-warming story

This stunning book follows the story of these two characters and how they teach each other their individual skills. A touching tale of how family ties aren't always so obvious to everyone but can be found right under your nose!

This deeply emotional and moving story about love and closeness despite difference is perhaps Deacon’s best book yet.Quite superb

a charming, beautifully illustrated parable about sibling love

This unusual, unsentimental story begins with two white eggs that look companionable and interchangeable. But out of one, a fledgling emerges and, from the other, a baby crocodile. Croc and Bird cannot hope to be brothers but, in Deacon's custody, are soul-mates who forage and huddle together, wings against scales, to keep out the cold. The bird calls its nest 'our home' – impractical for Croc but he does not grumble. A delicate, poignant, exquisitely drawn exploration of affinity with no need for a clumping moral. (2+)

Croc and Bird mixes comical and genuinely heart-warming scenes to create a beautiful tale of love, friendship and where we feel we really belong. Deacon's style is very unusual. with thick lines that almost look like that they would be grainy if you touched them. His artwork can be dark at times, the bird and crocodile not as "cute" as you might find them in other illustrated books, they fill more real, close to zoological sketches at times. However, the use of subtle colours helps to give a delicate feel to the story and the mixture of slight harshness and create a truly evocative atmosphere, which oozes emotion. 
 
Deacon tackles the theme of nature versus nurture in the utmost lyrical way, and I found myself moved to tears by the implications of Croc and Bird's relationship: how family is what you make it, not what is expected by others, how you can feel isolated and alone amongst your kind and accepted and loved by those who are not. The subtle message found in Croc and Bird makes this book a powerful tool not only to help young readers' understanding and acceptance of others' differences, but also to help those who might feel, for whatever reason, isolated. 
 
In a society that is perhaps, sometimes, judgemental of non-conformist family units,whether because of race or gender, Croc and Bird is a beautifully gentle reminder that in the end, it is the fact of loving someone and being loved in return, that really matters.

This is a gentle and intriguing picture book about discovering where you belong and feel comfortable....Superb pastel illustrations and simple, thought-provoking text make this a lovely introduction to finding your place in the world. Delightful!

A quirky and unusual story brought to the young reader as two unlikely friends find themselves in a unique situation that allows them to grow together. It’s unusual, it has some great illustrations and demonstrates that whilst people may be different, similarities can allow everyone to become friends. Add to this some bright colours, great use of prose which when backed with the authors unique storytelling style really brings this title together on so many levels. 
 
A truly wonderful read and one that I really can’t wait to share with my nephews.

charming...a heart-warming book for siblings everywhere

(an) exquisitely illustrated, dreamy tale ... the lesson isn't original, of course, but it's delivered here with exceptional sensitivity.

a story about loving each other beyond the boundaries of culture.

Youngsters will love this story that explores the bonds that tie us together.

A story about loving each other beyond the boundaries of culture

A charming tale of friendship and the meaning of family...Deacon's illustrations are sophisticated and his washes of colour beautiful...a visual treat.

This is a gorgeous, heart warming picture book

Side by side on the sand sat two eggs. With a crack and a rip, the brothers hatch, and out comes a bird and a ... crocodile! But they can't be brothers - can they?

Alexis Deacon

Praise for Croc and Bird

The softly coloured pictures convey all the emotion and complement the feel of the book excellently. A wonderful heart-warming story

This stunning book follows the story of these two characters and how they teach each other their individual skills. A touching tale of how family ties aren't always so obvious to everyone but can be found right unde ...

This deeply emotional and moving story about love and closeness despite difference is perhaps Deacon’s best book yet.Quite superb

The softly coloured pictures convey all the emotion and complement the feel of the book excellently. A wonderful heart-warming story

This stunning book follows the story of these two characters and how they teach each other their individual skills. A touching tale of how family ties aren't always so obvious to everyone but can be found right unde ...

This deeply emotional and moving story about love and closeness despite difference is perhaps Deacon’s best book yet.Quite superb

The softly coloured pictures convey all the emotion and complement the feel of the book excellently. A wonderful heart-warming story

This stunning book follows the story of these two characters and how they teach each other their individual skills. A touching tale of how family ties aren't always so obvious to everyone but can be found right unde ...

This deeply emotional and moving story about love and closeness despite difference is perhaps Deacon’s best book yet.Quite superb

Books by Alexis Deacon

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10 inspiring books to teach tots about empathy

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