Wren

Katrina Lehman (illus. Sophie Beer)

‘The illustrations by Sophie Beer for this warm-hearted family story are vivacious and vibrant, filled with life and love. They perfectly depict the chaos of a big family with so much colour and movement. This is a big-hearted story about families and siblings that is perfect to read to children aged 3+.’

Readings

‘If you have a new baby in your house and an unhappy sibling or two, then this is the perfect book for your family. The illustrations are bright and full of the most hilarious details that will resonate with all children who need a little more space to themselves.’

Good Reading

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‘The vibrant and engaging story make this a wonderful book for children aged 3-6, and a great choice for anyone bringing a new baby into their family.’

My Child Magazine

‘Suitable for ages two and up, Wren is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for stories about families or new siblings. This book is also an excellent way to talk about the importance of giving family members space from each other.’

Books+Publishing

‘This is a charming tale exploring the chaos of modern family life, with punchy verse and bright, detailed illustrations kids will love to explore.’

Herald Sun

‘Wren is a kid who just wants a little peace and quiet. He lives with his cacophonous family of 4 siblings in the noisy city....The illustrations, “a combination of traditional mark making and digital medium,” are full bleed panoramas of the bustling household, in a palette of bright reds, yellow, and blues, with a slightly retro feel. This is a fun story time read and a light hearted book for families expecting another baby.’

Youth Services Book Review

‘Lehman’s story is so sweet and realistic and often funny, and Beer’s detailed illustrations provide endless enjoyment for my daughter (3). There’s always something fun to look at in the background, and everyone’s expressions, including the baby’s, are so on point. I love books that are so well illustrated I can see and hear the sound.’

Baby Librarians

‘A cacophony of chaotic sound brings a new brother and sister together...Yet the heart of the story lies in its sibling love. Wren’s eventual relationship with his new baby sister will be a welcome addition to the ranks of such new-baby standouts as One Special Day, by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Jessica Meserve (2012). Sensory overload is no match for the lure of tranquility—until it is, in this effortlessly charming tale.’

Kirkus Reviews

‘Desperate for some quiet, Wren moves in with his grandparents in the country, and while at first, he enjoys the quiet, he misses his family, even his noisy baby sister … [S]weet and realistic and often funny…Beer’s detailed illustrations can provide endless enjoyment for children. There’s always something fun to look at in the background, and everyone’s expressions, including the baby’s, are so on point.’

Book Riot

‘This is a thought-provoking book about the difference between having what we want and wanting what we have. It offers lots of scope for talking about the annoying things in life and their place. It is accompanied by bold, bright illustrations with the noises shown ribboning over the pages so that the reader is vividly part of Wren’s world.’

Julia Wills, Carousel

Sometimes we find what we’re looking for in the most unexpected places.

Wren just wants a bit of peace and quiet. What he gets is the noisiest baby sister you could ever imagine! But when Wren runs away to the country, he discovers that maybe peace and quiet isn’t all he needs …

With bright, modern illustrations and a powerfully simple story, any child (and any parent!) who’s ever had to deal with a noisy sibling will love Wren. This debut from the new team of Katrina Lehman and Sophie Beer is sure to delight.

Readings

Good Reading

View all reviews

‘The vibrant and engaging story make this a wonderful book for children aged 3-6, and a great choice for anyone bringing a new baby into their family.’

My Child Magazine

Books+Publishing

‘This is a charming tale exploring the chaos of modern family life, with punchy verse and bright, detailed illustrations kids will love to explore.’

Herald Sun

Youth Services Book Review

Baby Librarians

Kirkus Reviews

Book Riot

Details

Format:Hardback

Size: 230mm × 250mm

Extent:32pp

ISBN (13):9781911344216

RRP:£10.99

Pub date:14 Mar 2019

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

CATEGORIES / tags

AUTHOR

Katrina Lehman

Katrina Lehman lives in Melbourne with her three children, a gardener/baker/handyman husband, and a blue tongue lizard. She is lucky enough to spend all day crafting words as a writer and as an editor, helping authors unleash their inner magic.

ILLUSTRATOR

Sophie Beer

Sophie Beer is an illustrator from Brisbane, Queensland. She completed dual bachelors in Law and Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology before turning freelance. Revelling in colour, shape, and texture, she lives by one simple rule: art should never be boring. When she’s not illustrating, she’s usually found drinking dangerous amounts of tea and indulging in her other passion: literature.