Flipper and Finnegan: The True Story of How Tiny Jumpers Saved Little Penguins

Flipper and Finnegan: The True Story of How Tiny Jumpers Saved Little Penguins by Sophie Cunningham, illustrated by Anil Tortop (Albert Street Books) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761180071

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘Flipper and Finnegan live on a beautiful island.’ The two Little Penguins love to somersault and fly underwater. People come to watch them return to land. But one day, the water turns dark. Flipper, Finnegan, and many of their friends become coated in sticky, smelly oil; if they try to clean themselves, the oil will make them sick. Human rangers save the cold and frightened penguins by placing warm jumpers on them until they can be cleaned gently with soap and water.

Based on a real-life event, Sophie Cunningham’s thoughtful tale will appeal to kids aged three to six who adore birds and animals. By focusing on two characters in particular, Sophie scales down the immense environmental disaster story to a level that children can understand and engage with. Simple vocabulary allows the action to take centre stage; youngsters clearly see how even small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.

Anil Tortop’s cute and colourful illustrations catch the eye and capture the heart. This extends to the endpapers, which feature bright balls of wool at the beginning, and a jumble of jolly jumpers at the end. Anil’s charming characterisation of Flipper and Finnegan ensures that young readers develop an emotional attachment to the penguins and a desire to see them safe from harm. 

Sweet and uplifting, Flipper and Finnegan: The True Story of How Tiny Jumpers Saved Little Penguins will bring a smile to small faces. It will encourage kids to consider the world around them and what they can do to help others.

Leaping Lola

Leaping Lola by Tracey Hawkins, illustrated by Anil Tortop, (New Frontier Publishing), HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781925594591

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a rollicking, lively feast of fun with Lola, a brown cow who loves to dance on and on (‘High on back haunches, clip-clopping her hooves, Lola flicked up her tail in fabulous moves’). The pirouetting cow is determined to attend the night’s ball: however, her mother tells her the ball is only for black and white cows. Saving the night is Lola’s best friend Pearl the pig who dresses her ‘just right’ and at the end of the night dances with her, too.

At the ball ‘The twang of the band made (Lola) wriggle and giggle, her neck gave a nod, her bottom a jiggle.’ Lola is having a great time ‘swirling and twirling her large derriere’ but then she missteps and knocks over the milk tower, slashing everyone. The other cows cry out their disgust at the impostor, but once again Lola’s night is saved, this time by the prize-winning bull who asks Lola to dance so all can follow her lead.

This is a great read-aloud book, not just because it’s written in rhyming verse, but because there are so many strong verbs just right for moving (dancing) to. Dedication to one’s passion and help from friends are the two themes which are complemented by joyous, brightly coloured illustrations. This is a book sure to be enjoyed by children from three years and up.

Meeka

Meeka by Suzanne Barton, illustrated by Anil Tortop (Bluebell Books)

HB RRP $22.00   ISBN 9780648099307

Reviewed by Brook Tayla

Meeka is a sweet blue bird that regularly visits all the stalls on market day.  He samples everything on offer but his gluttony leaves him feeling unwell, so the girl at the Moroccan Stew stall puts him in a tagine to sleep off his over indulgences.  Her father mistakenly sells the tagine and so begins the chase to find Meeka before he ends up as bird stew.

This story by Australian Suzanne Barton is told in a gentle but humorous way. Her plot is fun to follow and becomes increasingly suspenseful when everyone realises the error that has been made.  Her descriptive words are fun and will be very relatable to children and parents who naturally delight in explaining the world in rhyming words, like ‘sticky, licky toffee.’ Suzanne does not overuse this technique, however, and explains other things in a normal, but informative way.

Readers will love the story that Suzanne created for Meeka, and illustrator Anil Tortop must be highly commended on enhancing this story and bringing it to life visually.  Anil’s characters are full of expression that connects the reader with the emotions and feelings being portrayed.  Anil also has fun with illustration, breaking up the ways she interprets the text and by adding visual extras that are a joy to find and to ponder.

This delightful story is guaranteed to be read over and over again. It will be available in bookstores soon but if you just can’t wait and want a copy now, you can contact Suzanne Barton personally at:  bluebellbooks.org

Brook Tayla writes a picture book review blog at telltalestome@wordpress.com and would love you to drop by, read some reviews, leave a comment and subscribe.  Brook also offers editing services for beginning and emerging writers.

The Leaky Story

The Leaky Story written by Devon Sillett, illustrated by Anil Tortop (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99    ISBN 978-1-925335-39-2

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

This is a charming story about a book sitting… and sitting…  just waiting to be read. It then takes matters into its own hands by springing a leak which grows bigger by the second, eventually turning into a raging sea.

Young JJ is playing happily with his toys, and is the first to notice that the book is leaking when water rains down from the shelf. Initially JJ’s parents refuse to believe that anything out of the ordinary is happening, as they sit comfortably in front of the television.

“… But a couple of stubborn imaginations would not stop the leak. The drip drips grew into plop plops. Puddles filled the living room.”

In a similar vein to the much-loved picture book ‘A fish out of water’, this small leak that begins with a ‘drip, drip’ eventually turns into a full sprung ocean complete with sea creatures, boats and pirates – all in the living room of the Blossburn family.

There is a great deal of life and fun contained in both the text and illustrations of this book. Many of the images depict words leaking out of the pages, and so provide an extra layer of challenge for children who wish to piece together the letters within the images. I personally, particularly enjoyed Mum on a small island in the lounge room, holding at bay a menacing pirate (who’s in the water) by keeping one foot on his head. She’s also terrorising another dangerous creature with a rolling pin. Ten out of ten!

The use of language is wonderful too. The author doesn’t talk down to the readership and uses appropriate words such as ‘curious’ and ‘sated’ within the natural flow of the narrative.

Author Devon Sillett is currently completing a PhD on children’s picture books, and illustrator Anil Tortop works as illustrator and animator. Together they have created a book which will delight and captivate readers who take the plunge and wade through this story (see what I did there!).

This is a book to capture the imagination and be revisited -- definitely one for exploration. It is recommended for children 4-8 years.

My Perfect Pup

My Perfect Pup by Sue Walker, illustrated by Anil Tortop (New Frontier)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-92505-960-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Milly and Max are looking for a puppy. One Milly can primp and preen. One Max can teach tricks to. When they see a tiny puppy at the pet shop they think have found their perfect pup. But has this little puppy found his perfect family?

This delightful story turns the idea of picking a perfect pet on its head. Here, it is the dog which picks the family he wants. And it is very clear why this family is more suited to him than his previous family.

The language the author uses is clear and simple, appropriate for the three to six year old age group. ‘...and Max’s tricks were always just a little too tricky’. It is also lively, ‘Collie pups bounced, and Pointer pups pranced, but the tiniest pup waited politely’ lyrical and fun to read.

The illustrations are bright and bold and full of humour. They enhance the text, telling parts of the story the text does not. This brings even more character to the dogs and children, adding to the appeal and helping to make this an engaging and entertaining picture book for preschoolers.

Digby and the Yodelayhee… Who?

Digby and the Yodelayhee… Who? by Renee Price, illustrated by Anil Tortop, Published by Create It Kids HB RRP $22.95

ISBN 9780992345754

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The fly pages one sees when opening this picture book are simply lovely peachy-pink colours covered with musical notes and sounds. This is appropriate really, for the story is about music, specifically that made by a number of children who play instruments such as sticks, double bass, drums and keyboard. But what most attracts Digby’s attention about the music being played is the extra loud sounds of yodelling.

Followed by his musical friends, Digby uses his noise-o-meter to track down and find the offending noise. When a door is opened, there is Maisie on stage with a microphone and huge amplifiers filling the room as she yodelayhees repeatedly. In a gloriously colourful scene, Digby and his mates, including Maisie, play their instruments and jive happily.

In the last act of this joyous story, the children hear another sound: ‘rumble gurg.’ They follow its source and finish up having more great fun.

This simple, engaging story is full of energy and fun. The illustrations are most attractive with colour which glows from the pages. A special bonus at the end of the book is a song written by the author in collaboration with her husband, Aaron Hipwell. A recording of the song can be downloaded via the QR code featured in the book.

The book is sure to be enjoyed by children aged 3 to 6 years.

Granny, Wait for Me!

Granny, Wait for Me! by Sarah Owens, illustrated by Anil Tortop (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117400

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

The exuberant, lively illustrations spring off the page in vibrant, crisp colour.

This story of an energetic granny is so spirited and enthusiastic that I feel exhausted just looking at the small boy valiantly trying to keep up as his granny displays her cycling prowess!

It’s a rhyming story but, unlike many offerings for this age group, the rhyme stays workably simple. This gives the story a deceptively effortless and easy pace.

A boy is visited by his grandmother who takes him out for the day. This is not a granny who stays home and sips tea: she does wheelies, tricks and spins on her bike, loops-the-loop on the playground swing and sizzles down the slide.

This fun book for preschoolers is fabulously enhanced by the gorgeous and dynamic illustrations. 

River Riddle

River Riddle by Jim Dewar, illustrated by Anil Tortop (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-051-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Jack is off to market with Dolly the sheep, Frank the fox and a sack of hay. But between them and the market is a big river. With only a small boat just big enough for Jack and one other, how is Jack going to get everyone across without Dolly eating the hay or Frank eating Dolly? Luckily he is a very clever boy. And step by step, Jack’s plan is laid out for readers to follow in both the words and pictures.

Based on a classic kids’ logic puzzle and told in beautifully even rhyme which slips off the tongue easily, The River Riddle is a fun story to read with a great ending.

The humour of the words and situation is carried wonderfully in the vibrant pictures which illustrate, not only the immediate action and the sibling-like relationship (apart from the eating bit!) between Frank and Dolly, but also what is going on in the minds of Jack and his animals. It brings an intimacy to the story when you can see what is going on inside their heads.

See if you can come up with a plan to solve the riddle before Jack?

Digby's Moon Mission

Digby’s Moon Mission by Renee Price, illustrated by Anil 

Tortop (Create It Kids)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9780646927718 

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Digby’s Moon Mission taps into the timeless childhood desire for a ‘mission’, aided by a group of eager accomplices.

Digby Fixit wonders, ‘Why is the dark so dark?!’, and notes the moon’s slight size: ‘Banana-thin. No more than a sliver’. He concocts an energetic plan with the aid of his friends to cook some food, fling it up to the moon and fatten it up, restoring its roundness and therefore its glow.

Price diverts from prose to rhyme as the children prepare the food, segmenting this activity from the main narrative. Tortop’s illustrations convey humour, action and fun, and it is pleasing to see the diversity of real life reflected in Digby’s friends. The addition of Digby’s expressive little cat throughout is a charming touch.

The double-page spread displaying a determined Digby measuring the moon as it grows larger each day is a favourite, and will no doubt touch adult readers. Digby is convinced his plan is working, and it nods to the innocent wonder of childhood.

The story’s conclusion reveals the aftermath of the moon’s feast, and uses humour that will appeal to young readers of three to six. Overall, the story embraces teamwork, creative problem-solving and determination in an engaging way.