picture book – Page 2 – Aussie Reviews

The Farmer's Hat, by Kim Barnes

What happened to my hat?’ asked the farmer.
‘I had a fine hat, a well-worn hat,
that smelled of hay and grass and sweat.

The farmer’s hat has gone walkabout, lifted by the wind. The animals help by telling him where it’s been but they can not tell him where it is now, because it keeps blowing further. The farmer tells the life of the hat and why it’s important that he find it. But it’s not the same hat that returns to him…it’s subtly altered and brings with it a special surprise. Illustrations in country colours show an Australian farm, in the hot summer and in the memories of the farmer.

There is plenty to look for as the story of the farmer’s lost hat unfolds. Not only can the track of the floating, flying hat be seen, but there are lambs being born, paddocks lush and green, sheep catching a ride on the tractor, a dog ‘skiing’ behind the tractor and more. ‘The Farmer’s Hat’ is told in gentle rhyme with a refrain repeated throughout, ‘The wind took it whooshing and whirling.’ Only at the end does the reader discover that the wind was bringing the rain. This ending encourages the reader to go back and look for the signs of drought that are certainly there, although the narrative mentions only the affection and memories the farmer attaches to the hat. Recommended for preschool and early primary-aged children.

The Farmer’s Hat, Kim L. Barnes & Andrew Joyner
Omnibus Books
ISBN: 9781862918351

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author www.clairesaxby.com

Where's Santa? by Louis Shea

Mischievous elf, Elvy, couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve. So he took Santa’s sleigh and tried to deliver the presents early. But he’s lost, and now Santa – who went looking for Elvy – is lost too. Readers are asked to help Detective Inspector Scrooge to find Santa.

Where’s Santa? is a look and find book, in the tradition made popular by the ‘Where’s Wally’ series, is lots of Christmas fun. Readers are asked to find not just Santa, but also Elvy, Mrs Claus, Detective Inspector Scrooge and even Fluffy, Santa’s pet yeti, in settings including the beach, a shopping centre, a holiday parade and a school ground. There are lots of Santa look-alikes to make the job more challenging and, at the back of the book, a list of extra things to find on each spread.

Suitable for preschool and primary aged readers, this would make a great stocking stuffer.

Where’s Santa? by Louis Shea
Scholastic Australia, 2011
ISBN 9781741697650

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Bushwalk, by Sandra Kendall

As the unseen narrator of this simple tale walks through the bush s/he sees splashes of colour, in the form of blossoms, and hears birdsong and croaking, before seeing a variety of animals and insects. The bush is, we are told, an amazing place. The Bushwalk is a delightful offering which aims to encourage children to explore the natural environment…

I love to walk in the bush.
If I keep my eyes and ears open, it’s always an adventure.

The Bushwalk is a delightful offering which aims to encourage children to explore the natural environment, especially within Australia. The text focuses on what the narrator (presumably the author, visible in one picture as a pair of booted legs walking on a path) sees and hears on regular bushwalks. Each page includes a fact about the wildlife pictured, written on leaves, rocks and pieces of bark. The illustrations present realistic, softly toned watercolour images of the bushland inhabitants in double page spreads.

A wonderful classroom resource, this is also suitable for home reading.

The Bushwalk, by Sandra Kendall
Windy Hollow, 2011
ISBN 978192113671

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

You are My Special Baby, Carol Chataway & Danny Snell

You are My Special Baby is a lovely tribute to the relationship between a parent and a child. The cover art depicts a sugar glider parent and child atop a waratah and each opening reveals another Australian pair in their particular Australian habitat. From the platypuses underwater to the kangaroos in the red sand inland, each pair is accompanied by an affirmation of the relationship between an infant and a caring adult. Illustrations are acrylic paint on board and full double page with text imposed on the paintings. Extraneous detail has been omitted to keep the focus on the relationships portrayed.

This is a lovely book, perfect for a new baby, and/or new parent. (Or grandparent, or any carer or significant person in a child’s life. The words are simple, the images clear. There are little puns reflected in the connection between text and image. It would also be a perfect book for sending overseas, depicting as it does our wonderful fauna, flora and landscape. Highly recommended for babies and young children or as a gift.

You are My Special Baby, Carol Chataway & Danny Snell
Working Title Press 2011
ISBN: 9781921504181

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book is available from good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

The Pout-Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen & Dan Hanna

Deep in the water
Where the fish hang out
Lives a glum gloomy swimmer
With an ever-present pout.

I’m a pout-pout fish
With a pout-pout face,
So I spread the dreary-wearies
All over the place.

Blub Bluuub Bluuuuuuub

Poor old Mr Fish! Destined to be gloomy and glum and to spread the gloom to everyone he sees. Casual comments, jovial suggestions, grumpy commands to cheer up all meet with the same response from Mr Fish. That he is a pout-pout fish and he has no choice but to look grim. He must be, there is no one around him who looks or acts like him. But then along comes a newcomer. The story is told in rhyme, with repetition which will encourage young ‘readers’ to join in. Illustrations are cartoony and colourful with some pages divided to provide extra frames. This sea is very full with some recognisable and less familiar sea-dwellers.

The Pout-pout Fish is a simple story about destiny and when it just isn’t. Mr Fish has accepted that he is the way he is and that he has no choice to be different. Despite his gloominess, he seems to have many friends, even if those friends are imploring him to change. Then a chance encounter makes him see himself in very different way. He is still who he is, but he’s much easier to have around. There are many little sea creatures to find in each image, and unusual plants too. Children will enjoy finding the same creatures on each page, and looking at what’s different. Recommended for 4-6 year olds.

The Pout-pout Fish, Deborah Diesen & Dan Hanna
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781742830063

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book is available from good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

The Search for Bigfoot Bradley, by Dean Gorissen

There was once a little boy with big feet.
He didn’t know why or where or who he got them from,
but he had really, really, really big feet.

Bradley has the biggest feet anyone has ever had. He doesn’t know where he got them from – he doesn’t even know where he came from. But now he lives with Axel and Rainbow and soon his big feet see him having all sorts of adventures – from being bullied by the hat gang to playing at the Football World Cup.

Search For Bigfoot Bradley is a whimsical picture book based on a premise which young readers will enjoy – a kid with supersized feet, and the challenges and possibilities that can pose. Bradley’s unlikely new friend – the bully from across the road – also turns out to have an unexpected problem, in tiny ears he keeps hidden under his hat, adding to the humour and the final twist.

This is illustrator Dean Gorissen’s first foray into writing and is likely to be well received by youngsters.

Search For Bigfoot Bradley, by Dean Gorissen
Windy Hollow, 2011
ISBN 9781921136702

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Aunties Three, by Nick Bland

Don’t fart or burp or sniffle or sneeze.
Remember your ‘thank you’ and practise your ‘please’.
Speak when you’re spoken to, never before,
take a deep breath and open the door…
IF YOU DARE!

The Aunties Three are on their way to visit, but their exacting standards make it pretty hard to prepare for their visit. When they do come calling, things go wrong, and one by one the three aunties leave in disgust. Luckily, after they’ve gone, Aunty Four comes, ready for fun and comfort.

The Aunties Three is a fun rhyming romp full of the kind of silliness that youngsters love – rhyme that scans well, quirky characters and illustrative details which they’ll love to discover and explore. Nick Bland is a master of the picture book form and this new offering will not disappoint.

The Aunties Three, by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 9781741697919

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood

‘Mummy,’ said Lucy, ‘can I have a hug before I go to bed? I promise I’ll give it back.’

When Lucy’s mum gives her her last hug, Lucy sets out to share it with everyone in the family. Daddy give sit back, a little bit stronger. The twins vie it back, a little reluctantly, but twice as big as before. Baby Lily gives it back all peanut buttery. But when Lucy hugs the family dog, Annie, Annie runs away without returning the hug. Lucy is devastated. How will she tell Mum that she lost the last hug? Luckily, though, Annie is not a bad dog – just energetic, and eventually she finds Lucy and gives her a slobbery hug, just in time for bedtime.

The Runaway Hug is a gorgeous picture book from two of Australia’s finest picture book creators, Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood. Bland’s story is strong, yet gentle and is well complemented by Blackwood’s watercolour and pencil illustrations. The family and their home are a lovely mix of whimsy and the kind of chaos that comes with big, loving families.

The Runaway Hug is a warm tale of love and laughter.

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 978186504405

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Bobo, My Superdog, by Michael Salmon

‘Dog of the Day’ said the notice in the front window of the pet shop.
Underneath sat a little white dog surrounded by other pets. From the moment I saw Bobo I knew that he was special. I had to have him!

Most of the time, Bobo is a fluffy, slightly spoilt dog who lives with the narrator and his parents. But Bobo and his owner have a big secret – because Bobo is just pretending to be a normal dog. Really he is a dog with super powers – Super-Bo. Wearing a mask and a cape made from an old stripy beach towel, Super-Bo saves people, animals – even the whole city.

Bobo, My Superdog is a brand new picture storybook from renowned Aussie author/illustrator Michael Salmo. The story is fun, but it is the familiar illustrative style of Salmon that makes the book so very appealing. The pictures are bright, detailed and humorous, offering textual support and lots of interest.

Aimed at children aged 5 to 9, and suitable for reading aloud, or for readers making the transition toward chapter books.

Bobo, My Superdog, by Michael Salmon
Ford Street, 2011
ISBN 9781921665394

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

Hattie and the Fox, by Mem Fox & Patricia Mullins

When Hattie the hen sees a nose in the bushes one morning, no one else seems to do anything, but when she adds two eyes, two eras, two ears, a body, four legs and a body to the list of what she can see, the other animals realise it’s a fox and everybody panics – everybody, that is, except cow, who moos so loudly that the fox is frightened and runs away.

Hattie and the Fox is a long-time favourite with young readers, and their parents and teachers, with the repetitive text:

‘Good grief!’ said the goose.
‘Well, well!’ said the pig.
‘Who cares?’ said the sheep.
‘So what?’ said the horse.
‘What next?’ said the cow

encouraging youngsters to join in, and the delightful watercolour and collage illustrations, b Patricia Mullins, bringing the story to life.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary in print, Scholastic have rereleased the title, providing a chance for a new generation of readers to connect.

Hattie and the Fox, by Mem Fox & Patricia Mullins
This edition Scholastic 2011
ISBN 9781741698206

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond