Ruffy and Me, by Dave Trumbull & Adam Carruthers

A boy and his toy dog, at home with nothing to do, decide to travel the world. Soon they are flying to China, rolling through England and chugging through India, seeing each country’s unique animals – and lots of other sights – as they go.

We flew to China, Ruffy and me,
And look, there were Pandas – one, two, three!

A boy and his toy dog, at home with nothing to do, decide to travel the world. Soon they are flying to China, rolling through England and chugging through India, seeing each country’s unique animals – and lots of other sights – as they go. Back in the bedroom, the two come back to reality, surrounded by a mess of toy animals and other reminder (or perhaps they were triggers?) of their adventures.

Ruffy and Me is a fantastical picture book which will delight preschool aged youngsters. The simple poetic team uses repetition,which will encourage kids to join in, and the illustrations are filled with rich colours which change to reflect the diverse environments the pair visit. the pages are also filled with detail, including lots of animals and the landmarks for which each country is known.

Suitable for the very young, the book could also be sued in the early childhood classroom to complements studies of animals or introduce geography and travel topics.

Very cute.

Ruffy and Me

Ruffy and Me, by Dave Trumbull & Adam Caruthers
Omnibus, 2012
ISBN 9781862918757

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

Losers, by Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers

It’s the Monday after the Saturday before, when the Wiggly Worms played and lost in the final soccer game of the season. The un-named narrator has to present a report on the game and from the score – 15 to 1 – its going to be tough to present it in a positive light

Monday morning. School Assembly day. I have to give a report on our team’s soccer match on Saturday. I have to stand up on the stage in the big school in front of everyone.

 

It’s the Monday after the Saturday before, when the Wiggly Worms played and lost in the final soccer game of the season. The un-named narrator has to present a report on the game and from the score – 15 to 1 – its going to be tough to present it in a positive light. But as he recalls all the elements of the game, from the parents cheering on the sidelines to the improvements made by individuals he discovers there is plenty to say about their favourite winter sport. Illustrations are full of humour. Header and footer carry a story of their own, a soccer game between a Wiggly Worm and a Rotten Rat.

 
Losers? is a new title in the Mates series of ‘Great Australian Yarns’. Weekend sport is part of many Australian lives and many players and their families will recognise the characters portrayed here. There’s the enthusiastic but unskilled coach, the fierce and way-too-serious coach, advice from the sidelines, the player keen to play but terrified of the ball, the player who has no clue about the rules and many others. Each is almost caricatured for effect, burying truth in humour. The narrator uncovers the real reason to play sport and it’s not all about winning. The print size is large and potentially unfamiliar words are presented in alternate fonts. Losers? is a funny and fun addition to a great Australian series for newly emerging readers.

Losers? (Mates)

Losers?, Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers
Omnibus Books 2011
ISBN: 9781862918511

 

 

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be pruchased online from Fishpond.