Tag: leonie worthington

Who's Laughing? by David Bedford

Hippo is trying to sleep but every time he tries, someone starts laughing. On each opening, Hippo asks ‘Who’s laughing?’ On the opposing page an animal laughs their special laugh, while partially hiding behind down-opening flaps. There are clues on each page as to who’s causing the laughter. Bright colour jungle images lead Hippo high and low in search of answers. Hippo’s friend, a little blue bird, accompanies him on his search. Eventually Hippo and the little blue bird fall prey to the laugh-maker too. The story ends with everyone laughing together.

This is the paperback version of Who’s Laughing? with the original released in 2006. The bright yellow cover and image of Hippo laughing is sure to attract the youngest of children. The blue bird is here too on the front cover and gives the reader an extra something to follow through the pages. The format is mid-sized and the paper sturdy, perfect for little hands to flip and flip their way through. Recommended for 2-4 year olds.

Who's Laughing?

Who’s Laughing? by David Bedford ill Leonie Worthington
Little Hare paperback 2007
ISBN: 9781921272110

This book is available online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Dads, by David Bedford

Animal dads show their special tricks in this book for the very young. Rhino’s dad is ‘tough and strong’ and able to lift heavy rocks. He’s well able to protect his child. Rhino and other animals show their ‘dad’ side in this simple and humorous rhyming text. Father and child share special times and the illustrations show the special smiles on every opening. Openings show the animals in their environments, from grasslands, through underwater, to a cave.

Dads is a sturdy hardback with lift-the-flap pages. It follows Mums, Bums, Toes and Tails from the same author/illustrator partnership. Like these other titles, Dads has a bright and appealing cover with characters sitting in a single-colour background, with title letters all in different colours. Alternate pages fold up and fold down, to reveal the special-ness of each dad. Warm colour floods each page, drawing the reader into the different worlds. The worlds might be different, but the relationship is the same. There is a strong sense of safety and fun shared. Recommended for preschoolers.

Dads, by David Bedford and Leonie Worthington
Little Hare Books, 2007
ISBN: 9781921049835

Other titles in this series:

Mums
Bums
Toes
Tails

Time for Bed, Isobel, by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington

“It’s time for bed, Isobel.”
“I don’t want to go to bed,” said Isobel. I want to be with you.”
“You will be with me,” said Mum. “I’ll be here reading my book.”…
“I’ll read my book,” said Isobel. And she did.

Isobel isn’t keen on going to bed. There is too much happening. She wants to do whatever Mum is doing – reading a book, picking up toys, doing exercises. But when Mum gets tired and lies down in Isobel’s bed, Isobel decides perhaps she is better off having the bed to herself.

Time for Bed, Isobel is a fun, affectionate story about bedtime, sure to ring true with parents of toddlers, who know the games toddlers will play to get out of going to bed. Artist Leonie Worthington (well known for her work on the Bananas in Pyjamas picture books), uses warm blues, pinks and purples, as well as splashes of sunshine yellow to give the illustrations a gentle feel, and her portrayal of Isobel and Mum as panda bears is delightful.

This is a lovely bedtime story.

Time for Bed, Isobel, by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington
Little Hare Books, 2006

One-o-saur, Two-o-saur and In-o-saur, Out-o-saur, by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington

These two colourful books each deal with a basic learning concept using bright dinosaur pictures and simple text.

One-o-saur, Two-o-saur is a simple counting text, from one to twelve. Simple rhyming text and the bright illustrations of Leonie Worthington show the dinosaurs doing simple things, some more dinosaurly than others. For example one-o-saur is seen hopping on one leg, whilst on the next page two-o-saurs are hatching from their eggs.

In-o-saur, Out-o-saur is a book of opposites with even simpler text (one word a page) and, again, the bright, humorous illustrations of Leonie Worthington. Each double page spread presents a pair of opposites – in-o-suar and out-o-saur; awake-o-suar and asleep-o-saur.

This is a cute pair which will appeal to the very young. First released in picturebook format in 2005, they have now been repackaged as sturdy boardbooks, suitable for toddler enjoyment.

In-o-saur, Out-o-saur and One-o-saur, Two-osaur, both by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington
Little Hare, First published 2005, this edition 2006

One-o-saur, Two-o-saur and In-o-saur, Out-o-saur, by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington

These two colourful books each deal with a basic learning concept using bright dinosaur pictures and simple text.

One-o-saur, Two-o-saur is a simple counting text, from one to twelve. Simple rhyming text and the bright illustrations of Leonie Worthington show the dinosaurs doing simple things, some more dinosaurly than others. For example one-o-saur is seen hopping on one leg, whilst on the next page two-o-saurs are hatching from their eggs.

In-o-saur, Out-o-saur is a book of opposites with even simpler text (one word a page) and, again, the bright, humorous illustrations of Leonie Worthington. Each double page spread presents a pair of opposites – in-o-suar and out-o-saur; awake-o-suar and asleep-o-saur.

This is a cute pair which will appeal to the very young.

In-o-saur, Out-o-saur and One-o-saur, Two-osaur, both by David Bedford & Leonie Worthington
Little Hare, 2005

Bananas in Pyjamas: SPACE BANANAS

Reviewed by Tash Hughes

This story is about the Bananas In Pyjamas and Teddies of Cuddles Avenue.

The Bananas overhear the Teddies wishing to meet space people, and decide “it’s tricking time!”

Next morning, the Bananas dress up and trick Morgan and Lulu into entertaining space Bananas. Just after their friends see through their trick, Amy arrives and believes they are real Space Bananas.

The Bananas promise Amy a ride in their space ship that night. Amy is very excited and enjoys her trip, until she notices Morgan and Lulu amongst the stars out her window! In usual good humour, she accepts the joke on herself and leads them all into a new game of space travel.

Like the TV shows about the Bananas and Teddies, this book appeals to young preschoolers as they love the characters. Again like the show, though, the story line and text are perhaps suited for a slightly older age group. Younger children will enjoy the pictures and an abridged version of the story more than an actual reading of the text.

Fun story with bright illustrations that show friends playing together with good humour and intentions.

Bananas in Pyjamas: SPACE BANANAS by Richard Tulloch & Leonie Worthington
ABC Books, 1997