Tin Toys, by Bruce Whatley & Ben Smith Whatley

As Christmas nears, the toy shop is filled with shiny new toys, which are quickly sold. But on the top shelf sits a wind-up toy, The Space Ride. The newer toys aren’t impressed with the Space Ride, but some of the older toys remember it and long to see it working again.

The older toys had not  forgotten the Space Ride. Buster could remember the first time he saw it in action. It whirred and whizzed, ready for take-off. It was magnificent.

As Christmas nears, the toy shop is filled with shiny new toys, which are quickly sold. But on the top shelf sits a wind-up toy, The Space Ride. The newer toys aren’t impressed with the Space Ride, but some of the older toys remember it and long to see it working again. They set out o find the missing key which will start the Space Ride, and to prove to the newer toys just how exciting an old toy can be. Finding the key to wind Space Ride up is difficult, but finally they do it – in spite of disturbing the poor Shopkeeper. When they do wind the ride up there is surprise in store. Although the Space Ride isn’t quite as exciting as the old toys had remembered, everyone has the best Christmas Eve ever.

Tin Toys is fabulous picture book for Christmas or any time of the year, about friendship, adventure and fun. A collaboration between author/illustrator Bruce Whatley and his adult son, the digital illustrations have a three dimensional feel similar to animation in films such as Toy Story. Particularly pleasing is the use of different perspectives so that scenes which could have been visually repetitive given the small setting of a toy shop, are viewed from different angles.

A delight.

Tin Toys

Tin Toys, by Bruce Whatley & Ben Smith Whatley
Random House, 2011
ISBN 9781864719918

This book is available from good bookstores or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Zoobots, by Bruce Whatley & Ben Smith Whatley

Zebo longed for another best friend.
One not big.
One not too small.
One
just
right.

Zebo lives in Junk Jungle with her two best friends, Hyde and TC. She loves them both but you can never have too many best friends, and Zebo longs for another one, about the same size as her, and perhaps a girl, like her, too. Together the three friends assemble a collection of junk in an attempt to make a best friend that fits all their requirements – but they find it isn’t as easy as they think.

Zoobots is a cute picture book offering from the pairing of award winning author/illustrator Bruce Whatley and his son, Ben Smith Whatley. Using software-enhanced 3D graphics, the pair have brought the junkyard to life with a realistic look and feel, and endearing characters, including Zebo, who is a painted and shaped like a zebra made from junk, Hyde, like a rhinoceros, and TC, like a bird, as well as Ruby, their new friend, who resembles a giraffe.

Children will enjoy the story here, but they will also love the quality and quirkiness of the illustrations.

Zoobots

Zoobots, by Bruce Whatley and Ben Smith Whatley
Harper Collins, 2010

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.