* WORLD ILLUSTRATION AWARD 2023 - CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING CATEGORY * READ FOR EMPATHY COLLECTION CHOICE Imagine a trip to the park with butterflies and snakes and monkeys and a giant leopard – magical! Imagine missing it all because you’re distracted... A beautiful story for children and adults about the importance of looking up, paying attention and sharing adventures. FREE TEACHING NOTES written by Jon Biddle REVIEWS The book immediately reminds the reader of Not Now, Bernard, in which we see a similarly fobbed-off child. However, there are two key differences with the McKee classic. Firstly, the parental phrase ‘That’s nice, love’, is far kindlier than the dismissive ‘Not Now, Bernard’. This points to the fact that the parent is not being brusque, they perhaps don’t even realise how absent they are being. This is emphasised by the second difference, the ending. While Bernard ends with the eponymous character being eaten by/turning into a monster, That’s Nice, Love wraps up far more hopefully, with the child gently confronting the parent and the adult being shocked at their own neglectful behaviour, promising to do better in the future; it’s a touching reconciliation. {Sam Creighton for Just Imagine} If I could share just one new picture book with parents I think it would be this one. Its important message for us all is conveyed with kindness and understanding. {A Library Lady} I think we can all be guilty of spending too much time scrolling on our phones. This picture book is a reminder to look up and be present. {Library Girl & Book Boy} A mindful tale about the all consuming digital world and the importance of looking up from our screens. A sobering read, full of magic & imagination. {Freckles and Fern} Author-illustrator Owen Gent depicts the park and child’s imaginary adventures with beautiful artwork in an appealing colour palette of autumnal tones and rich purple and blue hues, creating visually striking and eye-catching spreads {Paper Ren} Written in simple language but with a very meaningful message, this book is based on a very interesting premise, which is thought-provoking and very relevant nowadays. Simultaneously it’s beautiful, filled with magic moments, which explore the creativity and imagination of children - the imagination adults seem to have lost in adulthood with all their boring tasks and chores and with meaningless hobbies. {The Kids Bookstagrammer} This is poignant story and so wondrously illustrated. I love the adventure, the message and the end {Erin from Picture Book Perfect} This is such a thought provoking book (the front and back endpapers alone are worth discussion) and it could be used with a KS2 audience as it evokes so many questions. The teacher notes by Jon Biddle which accompany the book are an excellent starting point. {Andrea from Educa8 Wirral} This book really makes you reflect and think about the times that you are truly present - noticing all the little things around us; reflecting on the amount of time spent on phones; looking down instead of looking up. {Mrs W Loves Reading} That's Nice Love is a sumptuously illustrated picture book perfect for today’s busy lives. {Book & Gift Blogger} Portable screens may seem amazing but are no match for the richness of a child’s imagination, stimulated by the wonders of the natural world that may be found in the branches of a single tree. Owen Gent gives his imagination full rein in a series of sublime sequences that explore and expand the spare verbal narrative. {Red Reading Hub}
