Buzz Words

Bluey (Penguin Random House) HB RRP $14.99. Bluey: The Beach ISBN9781760894054 Bluey: Fruit Bat ISBN 9781760894047. Bluey: Time to Play Sticker Activity Book ISBN9781760894030

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Airing on ABC KIDS in October 2018, the Bluey books have taken the coveted position of being the most watched program ever on ABC iView, with over 100 million plays. It has also topped the Australian iTunes Kids Chart with the series peaking at #1 and consistently remaining in the Top 5. Thus, it’s no wonder that the powers to be have decided to capitalise on its success and thus published a book series.

Bluey: The Beach is about a family’s day out together in a lift-the-flap board book. While Mum is walking along the beach, Bluey (a blue cartoon dog) discovers a beautiful shell. She runs to show Mum and has a series of encounters – such as confronting an army of crabs and an old sandcastle -- that both excite and test her.

Bluey: Fruit Bat starts with Bluey not wanting to go to bed. She wishes she was a fruit bat so when she goes to bed that night, she dreams adventures as one. This time the Bluey book is a glow-in-the-dark board book.

Bluey: Time to Play! is a sticker activity book perfect for engaging little Bluey Fans. The first page shows the Heeler family in their Brisbane front yard. Another page shows all of Bluey’s friends such as Muffin and Socks, and Mackenzie. Surely young children and their parents will have hours of fun with all the activities in this paperback book.

Bluey has been praised for its realistic yet joyous portrayal of modern Australian parenting.