No One Is Home

No One Is Home by Mikolaj Pa, illustrated by Gosia Herba (Greystone Kids) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781778402180

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Leo decides to visit his friend, Kimbo, for his birthday. On the way, he stops to buy his pal some cream puffs – but there’s a big line at the bakery. Leo begins to write a poem for Kimbo, but he doesn’t know a word that rhymes with ‘oranges’. At the last minute, he grabs some flowers. When he gets to Kimbo’s house, nobody is home. Kimbo is waiting at Leo’s house after having an adventurous trip through the city. They finally meet at the monkey statue in the park, and Kimbo is happy with the flowers – he eats them because he’s hungry!

There are surprises around every corner in Mikolaj Pa’s creative story. From frogs playing a game of hide and seek across the city to a buzzing bug parade and a robot dog that goes on the fritz, the book features a crazy cast of characters that kids aged four to eight will adore. Short bursts of text in speech bubbles and vignette captions help reluctant readers to dive into the action of the book.

Gosia Herba has taken inspiration from Richard Scarry in creating compelling crowds of personified animals to populate this wacky world. Bright colours and endless details will keep youngsters busy for hours – especially as they try to find all of the hidden frogs! Perhaps the most eye-catching illustration is the full spread depicting the bug parade – every creature is dazzling and different.

Fun, frenetic and fabulous, No One Is Home is the perfect book for repeat readings because there is so much happening on every page. Leo’s determination to find Kimbo and celebrate his birthday puts the importance of friendship at front and centre of the captivating chaos.