Vesper Jones and Marshmallow

Vesper Jones and Marshmallow by Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Francesca Corso (Starfish Bay Children’s Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760362454

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Vesper Jones is tired of Scary Things visiting her dreams. So she and her cat, Marshmallow, decide to use a Dream Changer to keep the baddies at bay. But the Scary Things sneak in via a dream door. Vesper Jones blinks back tears as she clicks the Dream Changer. Suddenly, a dream window opens, and Friendly Things float in. The Scary Things swoop across the scene, making everything murky. However, Vesper Jones is no longer frightened – she uses the Dream Changer to fill the space with twinkling lights. The Scary Things are reduced to a pitiful pile of nothingness.

Karen Hendriks has woven together whimsy and wisdom to empower children aged four and older to face their fears. Readers may not have a Dream Changer – or a supportive feline friend – but they do have the foresight and fortitude to choose what they focus on and what they forget about. Vesper Jones shows youngsters that with strength of mind, they can become their own Dream Controller.

Francesca Corso has lit a spark in her illustrations, shooting bright colours across the spreads like fireworks. With sharp teeth and angular eyes, the Scary Things threaten to overshadow Vesper Jones – until the fanciful Friendly Things fill her world with a rainbow of revelry. This battle between dark and light is a brilliant visual metaphor for the mental tussle many children have when they try to overcome anxiety.

Dazzling and dynamic, Vesper Jones and Marshmallow is the perfect picture book for kids to turn to when their daunting thoughts become overwhelming. It reveals that sometimes courage and imagination are all you need to flip the script on fear and to allow your glorious dreams to fly.