Engibear’s Bridge

Engibear’s Bridge by Andrew King, illustrated by Benjamin Johnston (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $24.95
ISBN: 9781925117059
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Brilliant, superb, ingenious… I am in danger of using up all my superlatives describing this book.

Ok, maybe I’m biased because of my background in mathematics. And maybe I was so startled by a story that departs from the usual themes and goes so far off the ‘beaten track’, it seemed like a refreshing and revitalising novelty. But I stand by my superlatives. A picture book that presents the basic principles of civil engineering in rhyming couplets, more than reasonable rhythm and detailed diagrammatic spreads is an exceptional achievement.

Yep, this is the book for all budding bridge-builders. It’s longer than the minimalist offerings so common today—and that makes it perfect in my view. As far as bedtime stories go, it’s an eminently satisfying Goldilocks length. Not too long, not too short—just right. It’s made for bonding and talking and discovering. And I can see it appealing hugely to dads and granddads as story-tellers, though it would be just as good in a school context.

A foot-bridge is needed in Munnagong. When Engibear present several designs to the school children, they choose an arch—because it looks like a dinosaur’s skeleton. Month by month, the bridge grows with the help of Engilina, the city’s Chief Engineer, as well as Bearbot and an occasional penguin. The detailed pictures will mean hours of absorbing fascination for the right kind of child.

Unusual and so very different from the usual picture book offered for children, this is an invigorating change. Lovingly detailed illustrations by Benjamin Johnston enhance the text. I spent ages on the ‘Construction Team Page’ which, I suspect, is meant more for adults than kids. I just loved the motto of the penguins.

Engibear’s Dream

Engibear’s Dream by Andrew King, illustrated by Benjamin Johnston (Little Steps Publishing)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921928901

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

While crammed with excellent graphics that will instantly attract little boys, it isn’t only those young enough to be learning to count to ten who will find this delightfully humorous tale appealing. I think the older the reader the more they can appreciate the work and story, and therefore believe its greatest appeal will be to those of primary school age. (Oh, okay, any male who’s maintained the boy within will probably never outgrow it either!)

Engibear, like many boys, is a classic dreamer who loves to invent and then build things. Told in verse that scans well, his epic begins with his decision to invent a ‘Bearbot’ to help him with future creations and, in his meticulously organised workshop, he sets to work preparing plans for ‘Bearbot Type One’. Once built, however, it appears that Type One is ‘not without faults’ and, ‘KABOOM!’, Engibear must immediately begin work on ‘Bearbot Type Two’.

With disastrous yet funny failures along the way, the conclusion eventually sees Engibear’s tenacity win out. Bearbot Type Ten is a huge success. Hurray! And, just as any success deserves, the last four pages revisit the exciting journey to reflect on issues that occurred from prototype to final model via each type’s blueprints being provided, highlighted with numerous technical but easily understood notes and specifications.

Besides excellent characterisation of Engibear and each Bearbot, illustrations of the disasters also give readers much to laugh over. My favourite is that of a crinkled Type Seven lying ‘flat as a plate’ after inadvertently landing in the path of a bulldozer. My favourite non-disaster illustration is inside Engibear’s home where walls hold portraits of ‘Alexander Graham Bear’, ‘Thomas Beardison’, ‘Bear Brunel’, ‘Bearstav Eiffel’ etc. I thoroughly recommended this book for 3-10 year olds.