Wren

Katrina Lehman (illus. Sophie Beer)

“Wren is an exceptionally strong debut, with an emphasis on narrative that will appeal to fans of Julia Donaldson. Katrina Lehman’s fluid, rhythmic prose rolls off the tongue, and there are some great beats in the tale that make for a dynamic read-aloud session—including an affecting twist at the end. Illustrator Sophie Beer depicts family chaos at its most beautiful. Her style is gloriously colorful, bustling with lots of visual details to enrich the world of the story…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

‘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 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

‘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

‘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

“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 charming tale exploring the chaos of modern family life, with punchy verse and bright, detailed illustrations kids will love to explore.”

Herald Sun

Sometimes we find what we’re looking for in the most unexpected places—for Wren, this means a little corner of quiet.

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 from rising star Sophie Beer (Love Makes a Family and Kindness Makes Us Strong) and a powerfully simple story, any child (and any parent!) who’s ever had to deal with a noisy sibling will love Wren.

Books+Publishing

Good Reading

View all reviews

Readings

‘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

Julia Wills, Carousel

Youth Services Book Review

Baby Librarians

Kirkus Reviews

Book Riot

Buy from IndieBound

Details

Format:Hardback

Size: 230in × 250in

Extent:32pp with Color images throughout

ISBN (13):9781950354665

RRP:$17.99

Pub date:3 May 2021

High-res cover:Download Image

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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. Reveling in color, 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. Author/illustrator of bestselling Love Makes a Family (Dial Press) and Kindness Makes Us Strong (Dial Press).

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Wren

Katrina Lehman (illus. Sophie Beer)

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