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Joy

by Yasmeen Ismail, illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Interest age: 1 to 3

Published by Walker Books, 2019

About this book

It is a pleasure to read a book which captures a purely happy, upbeat mood. The beaming kitten’s exuberance as it zooms, zim-zams, jingles and wrangles its onomatopoeic way across the pages in pursuit of a favourite toy will bring a smile to both parent and child.

Soft, watercolour illustrations in warm colours bring the rhyming, rhythmic words to life and introduce other characters who block or help the kitten on his way. Even a big, bumpy tumble is humorous and doesn’t keep the kitten’s bounce down for long. Mum (or Dad – it is not specified) is there to pick him up and brush him down, so the kitten can head off, full of joy once again.

This warm, fun and funny book is the perfect comfort read for a gloomy day. Sharing it with a parent, children will be introduced to rhyme, rhythm and the subtle shifts in pace and tone that convey changes in narrative voice. It could even be used for older primary classes to introduce these concepts, in the same way that a poem might be used. It captures the ups and downs of happy toddler life in a reassuring way.

About the author

Yasmeen Ismail is an Irish writer and illustrator living in Bristol, making children's picture books. As much as she would like to just dash off a book, it has to have some worth. So she's compelled to write and draw to try, just a little bit, to make a tiny difference. She wants her stories to uplift everyone who reads them.

Yasmeen enjoys celebrating differences and giving her characters the confidence to be who they want to be, regardless of expectations. She says 'I have to keep in mind that whatever I create is going into the hands of a small child, and as such I have a responsibility to that little person. We all have a responsibility to them. And we should take that seriously.' Yasmeen writes and illustrates most of her books.

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