The best new books and our app of the month
MAGRITTE’S APPLE
Klaas Verplancke
Follow a man called Magritte on a dreamlike journey into the imagination, as he works to fulfil his desire to become a painter – of apples, hats and all manner of other surprising things. A beautiful and funny introduction to an iconic artist.
Thames & Hudson, £14.95; thamesandhudson.com/
THE HOUSE THAT FLEW AWAY
David Cali and Catarina Sobral
What do you do when your house flies away? You’ll find answers in this award-winning picture book from a celebrated author and illustrator team. Surreal and subversive – as well as heartwarming – this is a modern classic and an ideal Christmas gift.
Thames & Hudson, £9.95; thamesandhudson.com/
SQUARES & OTHER SHAPES
Josef Albers & Meagan Bennett
Another art book for young readers (and a life-saver for parents looking for something genuinely absorbing to share with little ones), this meticulously designed book showcases the work of Bauhaus veteran Josef Albers.
Phaidon, £6.95; uk.phaidon.com/
THE BIG BOOK OF BUGS
Yuval Zommer
Offset any creeping fears or dislike of the insect world by introducing your little ones to the wonder of bug life on our planet. This book is full of amazing facts designed to inspire children – and enable them to become skilled bug-spotters themselves.
Thames & Hudson, £12.95; thamesandhudson.com/
HAROLD’S HUNGRY EYES
Kevin Waldron
Harold is a Boston terrier adrift in the big city – and to make things worse, he gets so famished he starts to hallucinate mouthwatering delicacies wherever he goes. A funny tale that will go down well on Christmas morning, before the real feast begins.
Phaidon, £14.95; uk.phaidon.com/
THIS IS NOT A BOOK
Jean Jullien
Designer and illustrator Jean Jullien engages kids’ imaginations in absorbing style, asking them to suspend their assumptions about form and play with the conventions of the book in their hands. Highly conceptual and very enjoyable indeed.
Phaidon, £6.95; uk.phaidon.com/
APP SPOTLIGHT
Natural Cycles
A husband-and-wife doctor duo devised this app, which claims to have helped an impressive 5000 women in Sweden get pregnant in the first three months since it launched.
Built around an intelligent algorithm named Alba (after the founders’ own daughter), the app uses data from hundreds of thousands of women’s cycles to accurately predict (and alert you to) ovulation. Your effort is limited to the simple daily task of taking your temperature using a basal thermometer. Simply input the resulting data into the app and it will help you to understand and keep track of your cycle, become more aware of hormonal changes in your body and predict the all-important fertile window.
Already certified safe by all the relevant medical bodies, the system is so accurate you can also use it as a contraceptive – the makers claim that it’s as effective as the pill in preventing unwanted pregnancies. A seriously clever bit of kit.
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