Picture Book of the week: Jungle Jamboree by Jo Empson

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Published on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 11:15

Last Updated on 09 February 2019

Monica Costa

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Jungle Jamboree by Jo Empson has been selected as picture book of the week by London Mums. It’s a stunning book for young readers (2+) that brings the jungle to life in vibrant colour with an important message about loving yourself just as you are. Last Summer I met the lovely author Jo Empson last at the year party and we immediately connected.

The story

It’s the Jungle Jamboree but who will be crowned the most beautiful of all? Lion, Leopard, Hippo, Zebra? The jungle creatures all try to change themselves to win the jamboree, but Fly has a surprise in store – soon the animals learn that they are lovely just the way they are, and that kindness is the most beautiful thing of all.

The verdict

Jo has done a remarkable job with this stunning hand-painted artwork featuring amazing explosions of colour because she is very passionate about the natural world.

What I love about the story is that it is provides a strong message about loving yourself and the importance of kindness which children these days need to be reminded of.

Jo’s previous work include Rabbityness, which has sold in seven languages and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Books Prize, and Chimpanzees for Tea (which we already voted Bedtime story of the week in April 2016), distributed to over 100,000 children by the Dollywood Foundation.

Here I’m hugging the lovely Jo Empson at the Penguin Random House Summer Party 2018.

Jo Empson graduated from Cambridge School of Art with a MA in Children’s Book Illustration. Jo is never happier than when she is swept away in storytelling, whether writing, illustrating or just reading a favourite picture book (which she still does every night!). Her first author/illustrator picture book, Rabbityness, was nominated for eight awards and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2013.

Our Bedtime Story this week: CHIMPANZEES FOR TEA! by Jo Empson

Monica Costa

Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums