The Couch Was a Castle

Ellie Contursi is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

The Couch Was a Castle features two friends with colourful imaginations
at play together. What seems like an ordinary couch in our eyes easily
transforms into a horse, a boat, a cave, and much more for these lively
playmates. Morning turns into afternoon, and then evening, all spent
playing on the couch.

Clara and the Bossy introduces readers to Clara, who loves purple,
triangles, and tuna sandwiches. When she meets Madison she is happy to
become her new best friend immediately. But when Madison challenges
Clara about the things she likes, a shy Clara soon realizes that being
true to herself is what is most important. Before long she makes a new
friend who accepts her as she is.

Ruth Ohi’s simple phrases and merry illustrations are reminiscent of
Kevin Henkes’s mouse book characters. These two splendid picture books
are highly recommended.