BOOK REVIEW: Nanna’s Button Tin by Dianne Wolfer & Heather Potter

Stephanie O'Connell | 1 June 2017 | Reply

BOOK REVIEW: Nanna’s Button Tin by Dianne Wolfer & Heather Potter

Walker Books
June 2017
Hardcover, $24.99
Reviewed by Steph O’Connell

Picture Book

9/10

Nanna’s button tin is very special. It has buttons of all shapes and sizes and they all have a different story to tell. But today, one button in particular is needed. A button for Teddy. A beautiful story about memories and the stories that shape a family.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous; soft, and sweet, and there’s a certain element of realism to them, with background activities (like Granddad reading a book to a younger sibling or cousin and the dog sniffing the buttons, looking on curiously, and offering up kisses) and a very particular attention to detail even extending to the inside covers (in the front cover, the main character is cuddling her one-eyed teddy and she has one blue button over her own eye; in the back cover, she holds up two buttons over her eyes in one picture, and cuddles a teddy with two button eyes in the other).

The story itself is one that will prove nostalgic for many of those heading into parenthood these days, and as something of a novelty for the younger generations.

The parents will remember the days when nannas and grandmas had button tins, and the younger ones are bound to take an interest in button tins and the origins of the buttons within.

This whole book is just beautifully done, and I would highly recommend it and look forward to reading it many times over. The illustrator has rocketed to the top of my “must own” list, and I can’t wait to see more of her illustrations.