Category: Picture Books

Fairy Dreams, by Carol McLean-Carr

Few children don’t love fairies and other mystical beings. In Fairy Dreams, they can follow a trail of fairy mischief to find the tewleve treasures taken by the fairies from a child’s bedroom.

Along the way young readers can see mermaids, dragons, elves and unicorns and take a peek at the Fairies’ Ball.

The magic of this book is in the incredible illustrations of Carol McLean-Carr, created digitally and making use of scanned sketches and real objects as well as a digital airbrush and intricate layering of images. Pictures have a lovely depth and vibrancy which kids (and adults) will love. The text is secondary to the visual delights.

Lovely.

Fairy Dreams, by Carol McClean-Carr
Omnibus (Scholastic), 2003

Colossal Machines, by Nick Hughes and Mini Goss

Many animals work to help human beings – elephants, oxen, horses, even dogs. So if dinosaurs were still alive, would they help out too?

Colossal Machines explores this question, in a fun lift the flap format. Each double page spread, with flap, compares the work done by contemporary machinery, with what could be contributed by different dinosaurs. For example, a wrecking-ball’s work could be equally as well done by the bulbous tail of an Ankylosaur.

Combining two favourite subjects with youngsters (especially preschool boys) – dinosaurs and machines – and superbly illustrated by the talented Mini Goss, this clever book is sure to delight three to five year old readers.

Colossal Machines, by Nick Hughes, illustrated by Mini Goss
Koala Books, 2004

Fergus Makes a Difference, by JW Noble

Fergus is doing his rounds of the harbour when he meets two tugs towing a rusty oil tanker to the dock for repairs.

Soon, however, one of the tugs blows its engines under the strain, leaving its partner to tug alone. Seeing the remaining tug – Jimmy – struggling, Fergus offers to lend a hand. He may be small and it might be a struggle but Fergus shows that with determination he can make a difference. The tanker is soon safely docked.

Fergus Makes a Difference is the sixth story about the ferry and his adventures on Sydney Harbour. With colourful illustrations from Peter Townsend and written in rhyming couplets, these are cute stories for the preschool age group.

Fergus Makes a Difference, by JW Noble, illustrated by Peter Townsend
Scholastic, 2003

Fergus at the Fireworks, by JW Noble

It’s New Year’s Eve, the year’s last day
Time for the annual fireworks display.

Fergus the Ferry, with a load of passengers is watching the fireworks. He sees Fireboat George start the display with a big swoosh, and wishes he too could do something to make everyone cheer.
When the fireworks end, other boats send up distress flares. George realises they are doing this for fun, and so does not respond. But, when a flare hits a boat’s sail, fire breaks out and the people on board need help. Quick thinking Fergus and his Captain, Joe, rescue the trapped sailors and Fergus is rewarded by the cheers of the watching crowd.

Fergus and the Fireworks is a cute story in rhyme, likeley to appeal to preschoolers. The Sydney Harbour setting and the bright illustrations by Peter Townsend will appeal to Australian youngsters, whilst the message about responsible use of flares and being wary of crying wolf may appeal to parents.

Cute.

Fergus at the Fireworks, by JW Noble, illustrated by Peter Townsend
Scolastic, 2003

When's My Turn? by Hayley Smithers

Every day when Dad gets home from work, he takes his son to the park to play cricket. And that should be a good thing. Except that every day Dad gets to bat and his son gets to bowl and field.

After a whole week of not getting a turn of batting, the young narrator decides enough is enough. If Dad won’t give him a turn, he won’t go to the park any more.

When’s It My Turn is a delightful new picture book from Koala Books. The concepts of turn taking and father/son bonding are explored in a humorous way, with the first person narration giving a child’s eye view. The bright and comic illustrations of John Yayeh are a perfect complement to to the text of Hayley Smithers.

Great for sharing, When’s My Turn is also suitable for beginning readers, with repetitive text making it easily accessible.

Good fun.

When’s My Turn, by Hayley Smithers, illustrated by John Yahyeh
Koala, 2003

Trumpet's Kittens, by Carolyn Polizzotto & Sarah Spinks

When Trumpet’s family has to move away, she goes to live with Sarah. Sarah is delighted to have a cat, but is surprised by how much Trumpet eats, until the vet tells her that Trumpet is pregnant.

When Trumpet’s kittens arrive, Sarah and her brother James enjoy watching them grow.

Trumpet’s Kittnes is a warm book for children and cat lovers alike. As well as providing a basic explanation of the cat’s pregnancy and the early days of the kittens, the story of Trumpet is endearing and well complemented by the charming illustrations of Marion Duke.

Charming.

Trumpet’s Kittens, by Carolyn Polizzotto and Sarah Spinks, illustrated by Marion Duke
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 2003

Dorothy the Dinosaur and the Magic Shell

Reviewed by Tash Hughes

Dorothy the Dinosaur wakes up one morning feeling down in the dumps for no clear reason. Wags the Dog, Captain Feathersword and Henry the Octopus do their best to cheer her up by taking her to the beach. Still unhappy, Dorothy walks along the beach and finds a most unusual shell.

When Dorothy blows the horn, it has a magical effect on her friends; they stand on their heads, somersault and make animal noises and can’t stop!

Finally, Dorothy is happy and laughs at her friends’ antics so much she can’t blow the shell again for some time. Eventually, a blow of the shell frees her friends and they return to normal behaviour. Dorothy throws the shell into the ocean before playing with her friends and building the captain a sand ship.

The book has clear illustrations of the Wiggles characters and will delight all young children. The text is simple and short for preschoolers, but interesting enough to captivate early readers, too. The book shows children it’s ok to feel down sometimes, but it’s more fun to be with friends and laugh! A fun read from the Wiggles.

Dorothy the Dinosaur and the Magic Shell, The Wiggles, Illustrated by Jonathon Bentley
ABC Books, 1999

Baby Days, by Ian Bone

Baby days are busy days. Baby doesn’t just eat, sleep and play. He sees wonder in everything he sees and does.

From waking with the sun to riding on a broom-stick horsie and sailing in a tub, the reader views the baby’s day through his rich imagination.

Ian Bone’s text is lyrical yet very simple, floating its way through the book as the baby floats his way through his day. The illustrations of Anne Spudvilas, in rich pastel tones, match the mood of the text perfectly. Spudvilas works in oils and watercolour ink washes to recreate the gentleness of baby’s world. The baby is delightfully gender-neutral.

Baby Days is perfect for gentle bedtime reading and would be a perfect gift for a new born or for a Christening.

Baby Days, by Ian Bone, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas
Omnibus, 2003

Joey the Roo, by Marion and Steve Isham

 

As Joey the Roo moves through his day, he counts the objects around him – from one to ten. A single sun shines outside his window, his clothes are in pairs, his toys are in threes and so on.

 

This is not a simple counting book however. Children will need some encouragement and interaction with Mum and Dad to see the pattern as on most pages the number being illustrated is not mentioned. On the ‘seven’ page, for example, Joey paints a rainbow – and the seven colours of the rainbow are listed, while on the ‘five’ page, he bakes star shaped biscuits, with five points on each.

 

The educational aspect of the text is supported with a list at the back of the book suggesting counting rhymes, songs and activities, most of which parents will be familiar with from their own childhoods.

 

A simple yet fun offering from Bandicoot Books.

 

Joey the Roo, by Marion & Steve Isham
Bandicoot Books, 2003


YoYo's Hidey House, by Jeanette Rowe

YoYo is playing hide and seek with his friends. Young readers can lift the flaps and help YoYo search through the house to find them all.

This brightly coloured book will appeal to toddlers with its simple story and interactive flaps. Janette Rowe’s illustrations are both vibrant and whimsical, making them perfect for the early years.

Rowe is a Melbourne based author and illustrator who has been creating children’s books for over fifteen years. The YoYo series is a delight and this addition is no exception.

YoYo’s Hidey House, by Jeannette Rowe
ABC Books, 2003