When Mino Took the Bus

Description

Turning eight weeks old is no ordinary feat, when you are a chipmunk. It's time to say goodbye to mama and set out alone towards what lies ahead. When the day comes for little Mino to leave, he gives his mama a kiss and excitedly gets on a bus. The bus will take him to his future home, where he will plant his seeds and watch them grow. Mino is impatient for his new life to begin and his bus journey to be over. As the bus stops and a new passenger boards, Mino begins to meet new friend after new friend, each who show him something he never knew before. As his trip draws to an end, Mino might just discover that the journey counts just as much as the destination.

Simona Ciraolo is a Sardinian-born author and illustrator whose witty and endearing tales recently won her the Sebastian Walker Award. Ciraolo studied animation at the National Film School in Turin, Italy, before moving to the UK where she undertook an MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. She has also worked as a freelance 2D animator for children's TV shows and illustrated five picture books for an independent Italian publisher.

Ciraolo's pastel-hued story finds Mino sharing the journey to the last bus stop with an array of fun animal characters and features fabulous woodland drawings. * The Observer * Such a good concept for a story and delivered with style, humour, and charm. * Karl Newson, author of I Am a Tiger * A delightfully gentle, philosophical story about the things that really matter in life, and has a lovely dream-like quality. Highly recommended! * Jane Porter, author of The Girl Who Noticed Everything * [Ciraolo's] deep empathy for those on the verge of a big transition-with all its excitement and anxiety-is unmistakable. At the last stop, the animals gaze out the bus window, contemplating their future with a mixture of apprehension and wonder, before disembarking toward their new lives. The journey has not only mattered-it has fortified them. -- Publisher's Weekly Endearing Mino will suck readers in with his excitement about the world.Ideal as a picture-book gift for graduating seniors, this also provides a beautiful lesson for its intended child audience. -- Kirkus Reviews The soft whimsical illustrations draw you in (...)The pages are filled with gorgeous nature illustrations and the sweetest animals. * @milo_and_gigis_bookshelf on Instagram * This book is an incredibly beautiful piece of artwork - the illustrations are gorgeous and I adore the colour tones. * @posies_book_club on Instagram * A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated picture book about making friends, taking the first steps towards independence, and appreciating the small moments in life. * @littlelibraryowl on Instagram * Well worth a read if you are looking for a peaceful, meaningful bedtime story. -- @literate.littles on Instagram Such a heart melting book, we want to be friends with Mino, we think you will love him just as much as us. -- @shelfeditions on Instagram The soft pastel colour palette used by Simona Ciraolo is delightful. Subtly detailed with a beautiful nod to nature and gorgeous endpapers. -- @raising_bookworms on Instagram A wonderful occasion with lovely writers and illustrators in one of London's most magical children's bookstores. * @sienaslittlelibrary on Instagram * What matters most in Simona's uplifting story so enchantingly illustrated, are the small moments the friends have shared, those are the ones they will remember and cherish. * Red Reading Hub * Beautifully illustrated with soft artwork in a colour palette of predominantly green, pink and orange tones, this is an adorable and memorable book about friendship, independence and journeys. * @paper.ren on Instagram * The illustrations are charming, the pastel hues have a soothing quality that cast a calm spell making you slow down and drink in the details. * @home.read.play on Instagram * Mino has really captured our hearts. * @shelfeditions on Instagram * A touching tale about making friendships and taking the time to appreciate the small things in life that make us truly happy. * @sophie_saysaloud on Instagram * The crayon like texture, the beautiful nature spreads, and the playful style of the illustrations perfectly compliment this beautiful story of caring, friendship, being mindful and appreciating the little things in life. * @mrsbrownbookbox on Instagram * A charming picture book about friendships, cherishing the small moments & illustrated in delicate pastels. * @Alibrarylady on Twitter * A heart-warning tale of making friendships, appreciating the small things in life and the reality of nature. A beautifully illustrated picture book with tender and poignant moments. One to be shared far and wide. -- @bookgiftblogger on Instagram Combined with the exquisite artistry in this book, with its adorable illustrations of the animals and its soft brushwork and beautiful scenes of nature, love, friendship, hope and possibility. -- Mini Travellers This heart-warming tale is a sweet story that serves to remind us that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination. I especially loved the soft colour palette and whimsical illustrations. -- @sliceofbookishlife on Instagram A gorgeous hardback book, beautifully illustrated with a gentle and heartfelt message. -- @comicsvstheworld on Instagram The full colour double page spreads provide plenty of opportunities or spotting different types of flowers, leaves and animals with your child. -- @ourbookdays on Instagram A gentle, heart-warming picture book about making friends, taking care of each other and appreciating the little things in life. One of my favourite picture books of the year! -- @librarymice on Instagram Soft colours enhance the story, creating a cosy feeling as Mino discovers the joy of getting to know others and sharing the small joys of life, things that linger on in everyone's hearts. -- Through The Bookself blog