Florence & Fox

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Walker Books) ISBN 97817606510 RRP

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

Florence and Fox is set in a busy urban environment, Anna Pignataro’s illustrations provide a happy green setting as the characters appear to be playing together.  Florence has a tool kit but when Fox grabs a hammer Florence decides that it is not “Sharing day”. As Fox does not have any tools or toys with him, he is rather sad at this announcement. Fox is then informed that he will have to wait as it is “hundreds of days” until “Sharing day” again.

Later, the pair is found in a sandpit, Florence wants to use Fox’s bucket. Although confused, he is happy to share, keen to see what will be made. Florence does construct a great dragon figure but when Fox asks for a spade, he is refused, which results in sadness and confusion.  During dinner, Fox is surprised when Florence arrives, offering to share the building tools because she has now degreed it is “Thank You day”. The two then work to construct a wooden cart, a picture of which appears on the final endpapers.

The narrative basically addresses the concept of sharing. Florence the crocodile and Fox seem strange friends due to their quite different natures. I found the text over-heavy with speech. 

Overall, the story is didactic, with Florence controlling all aspects of their interaction right to the conclusion. Realistic in its portrayal of children’s characteristics, this is a new title suitable for preschools and care facilities.  

Clare’s Goodbye

Clare’s Goodbye written by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99  ISBN 9781760127527

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Clare and her siblings Rosie and Jacob are about to move house. Rosie and Jacob insist on saying goodbye to everything, from their tree-house to the place their pet bunny is buried, but Clare refuses to participate. Clare’s sadness is apparent in her silence, as well as through Pignataro’s touching, charcoal illustrations, like the image of Clare with her back turned as the removalists cart their furniture away.

It’s hard not to feel for her – the youngest child, and the least likely to process a big change. The stark emptiness of the rooms highlights the finality of the move, and allows Clare to bid farewell in her own, special way. The illustrations convey a childlike innocence and evoke much emotion, with a moody grey palette tinged with colour reflecting the poignancy of the story.

This is a touching tale about the difficulties faced in saying goodbye and moving on, and the importance of allowing little ones the space and time to cope with change.

Counting through the Day

Counting through the Day written by Margaret Hamilton, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781760124526

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The sweet opening line ‘One cuddly teddy on a brand new day’ sets the tone for this rhyming counting book for the very young. Told from a child’s perspective, it captures the heightened imagination and sense of wonder of early childhood. Snacks, backyard adventures, rest time and craft are all covered during a well-rounded day full of discovery.

An unusual aspect of this book is that the counting rapidly accelerates beyond twelve, leapfrogging from hundreds to thousands to millions, highlighting the enormity of the outside world (raindrops! stars!). The image of the protagonist (who is pleasingly gender-neutral looking) and their pets gazing out at the night sky hints at life’s endless possibilities. The story then culminates in one special thing, drawing the child back into their secure, inner world.

Pignataro’s gorgeous illustrations perfectly complement the text, alternating between energetic moments and contented scenes, and reflecting the loving bond between child and carer. The busy endpapers alone would keep a young reader mesmerised, spotting all the animals and objects from the child’s day.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast retold by Margrete Lamond (story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont), illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books)

HB RRP $12.95
ISBN 9781921894886

Reviewed by J. Wishart

From the ‘Once upon a timeless tale’ series published by Little Hare books, Beauty and the Beast offers a timeless tale of love, integrity and duty. Retold by Margrete Lamond (from the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont), with full page illustrations by Anna Pignataro, Beauty and the Beast is attractively hardbound, and would make a good stocking-filler or gift book for readers who might like to collect the series.

Pignataro’s illustrations are a striking combination of watercolour and collage, with still-visible sketch-lines that give them movement and immediacy. The muted colours mixed with snippets of vintage fabric also highlight the artwork’s handmade quality; and effectively complement the story of a once-wealthy merchant’s daughter, who is condemned to live out her life with an unappealing suitor.

The personal qualities of the cast are well contrasted by Beauty’s two aspiring, and later, bitter and jealous, sisters, while Beauty is characterised by her consistent humbleness and loyalty to her father. She willingly sacrifices herself to live with the Beast, and, in time, comes to fear him less. As with many beloved fairy tales, things are not what they appear to be – but Beauty is ultimately rewarded for her honesty and open-heartedness.

This telling of the well-known tale is refreshed with light humour, and condensed to the length of a middle-grade reader – also making it an ideal book for busy grownups to enjoy over a cup of tea. With illustrations that evoke the mystery and opulence of the Beast’s mansion and the drama of the dilemmas faced by the characters, this charming version of the classic tale will be sure to please.

Our Love Grows

Our Love Grows by Anna Pignataro (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-626-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Beautifully soft, in both words and illustration, Our Love Grows is a picture book about growth and the loving bond between mother and child. Every young person will recognise the desire to get bigger as baby panda Pip asks, ‘Mama, when will I be big?’

The affection and love in the mother/child bond is evident as Pip’s mum answers his question in a way that feels like the singing of a lullaby, encouraging him to look out into the world as well as inward toward himself. She introduces the concept of change and growth in a gentle, loving way.

Children love to hear about when they were ‘little’, and love to see how they have grown and changed. This story plants the child firmly within the environment which surrounds them and points out the growth which happens around them as well - trees growing, stars expanding...

The delicate watercolour and pencil illustrations are calm and quiet and the text rhythmical,

   Flowers bloomed and petals fell.

   Pinecones tumbled down, as well.                                  

making it a beautiful bed time read.

Too Busy Sleeping

Too busy sleeping written by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781742979625

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Eleanor has a new baby brother, Reuben. She is eager to play with him, however is told, ‘The baby is too busy sleeping’. Patient at first, Eleanor waits and waits for Reuben to wake, passing the time playing with her grandparents and with her toys. Eleanor’s frustration grows as it dawns on her that little Reuben doesn’t do much aside from eat and sleep. Her fluctuating emotions are wonderfully depicted in a spread where she sits, flushed and cross-armed in an empty bathtub, and realises Reuben might not be the playmate she was hoping for.

There is a whimsical, old-fashioned quality evident in Pignataro’s illustrations – not only in their style but through the types of play depicted. Eleanor builds with blocks, makes a sandcastle in the backyard, holds picnic-style tea parties and has a tyre swing. There are floral and gingham patterns used throughout, including the endpapers, which add to the timeless feel.

The tale takes a heart-warming turn as Reuben remains awake just as Eleanor asks her Mum for some one-on-one story time. Rather than complain, she takes the opportunity to finally play with Reuben. The last charming page reveals that Reuben’s not the only sleepy one.

Two to five year olds will find much to love in debut author Zanni Louise’s sweet story of adjusting to a new baby, containing themes of change and acceptance.

Elephants Have Wings

Elephants Have Wings by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Ford Street Publishing)

HB RRP $26.95

HB ISBN 978-1925000399

PB RRP $16.95

PB ISBN 978-1925000405

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

When writer Susanne Gervay and illustrator Anna Pignataro teamed up a couple of years ago to deliver the impeccable book Ships in the Field it was evident that their union was destined to bring deep thought on important topics to the picture book world. Their latest offering, Elephants Have Wing, cements them as a powerhouse duo, bringing something different to the page.

Elephants Have Wings, is a beautiful tale rich with the tapestries of ancient storytelling, spirituality and mythology. Placed in the Asian-Indian region, the book starts with two children asking their father to tell them the story – their grandfather’s story. The father commences, telling the wide-eyed children how their grandfather sent him and the other children out one night to look for “the secret”. All of the children saw different things and argued about who is right and who is wrong, until the grandfather came out and circled his light through the night, revealing a majestic elephant and showing that all the children were right but wrong at the same time.

The two children ask their father to tell them what their grandfather’s secret was, but he tells them that they must discover it themselves. The children spur each other on, willing on the vision of the elephant, who takes them on a journey through the air, over the wilderness, red desserts and snowy peaks, and through the sparkling stars to another place, high and faster and farther away. Bringing them home, only when the children have learnt their grandfather’s secret: “Everyone is different, but we’re the same, too. The elephant is in all of us.”

In many ways, this is a complicated picture book that explores rather esoteric themes, often difficult to articulate. What Susanne Gervay and Anna Pignataro do so well together, is bring these themes to life in a magical way that taps into children’s natural ability and openness to journey through the terrain of social inclusion, spirituality, unity, empathy and understanding. With roots in the ancient story of the blind men and the elephant, Elephants Have Wings is a wildly imaginative tale that is multifaceted. While younger children can lose themselves in the imaginative and magic journey of the children riding on the back of the elephant, older children can lose themselves in the mythology and modern importance of this tale.

And like Ships in the Field, Susanne has penned effortlessly poetic words that take us right through the sparkly stars with the children and Anne’s illustrations perfectly compliment this poeticism with pages of expressionistic watercolours and collages, whimsical in tone, that capture the peace, serenity and ethereal nature of this book.

A must read for those with a thirst for something different, unique and beautiful.

B is for Bedtime

B is for Bedtime written by Margaret Hamilton, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare)

ISBN 978 1 921894 34 3

HB RRP $24.95 

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

B is for Bedtime gently works its way through the alphabet, describing the gradual process that is a child going to sleep. Using the 'A' for awake, the alphabet goes through things a child would notice, like 'F' for fingers, 'M' for moon and 'I' for insect until it reaches the last one: Zzzzzz! Each pair of letters has a rhyme, and this flows particularly well, for example,' L is for Lullaby … dum di-di dum' (rhyming with Mum).

The very cute illustrations show a rosy cheeked child which could be a girl or boy (this could widen the appeal to readers). Pictures have the appearance of home-made collage, with lots of different patterns such as polka dots and stripes in soft colours. The small brown and white spotted dog on almost every page is a great addition, providing humour.

The alphabet is a nice structure to hang a bedtime rhyme on, giving a sense of movement through to the end — that is sleep! Moving towards the letter 'x', never an easy one to rhyme with, I was pleased to read 'X for relaX now I'm facing the wall.' It's nice to be surprised by an unexpected bit of text.

This lovely book could become a favourite for little ones going to bed. Adults will also appreciate the way the rhymes read so well out loud. 

How I Love You

How I Love You by Anna Pignataro (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-818-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Although not specifically marketed towards Mother's Day, this charming picture book relates expressions of love between children and their mothers and would be perfect for the mood of Mother's Day celebrations.

Populated with Australian animals - mums and babies - this story is filled with expressive text, warmth and gentle movement. Energetic words such as snuggled, nuzzled, tickled and nestled, conjure up lovely images of these little animals and their own special ways of showing love.

     Very Spiky Echidna was tumbling in a ball. Very Spiky Echidna snuggled by Mummy's

     tummy and said, 'This is how I love you, Mummy.'

The illustrations are beautiful. Muted colours - browns, olive greens and grey blues - reminiscent of the Australian bush create soft images. Characters such as Little Sooty Owl, Little Wobbly Wombat and Baby Possum are very much alive in the pages of this book.

How I Love You is a beautiful story showing the mother child relationship wrapped in love. Its’ calmness and repetition make it perfect for bedtime reading and the strong sturdy pages and binding means it will survive countless readings and little fingers.

Who would not want to be loved like the mothers in this story? Baby Possum cradled Mummy's face and said, 'This is how I love you, Mummy.'

Owl

Owl by Anna Pignataro (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $25.95
ISBN 9781922081162
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Owl and Frida live together in a cottage deep in the forest. Their life together has been enough for them for they share everything. But words are powerful objects. When Owl is told how beautiful he is and how the world would benefit by his presence, he begins to think. His thoughts create discontent, and what he is and what he has, seems minute compared to what awaits him out in the world.

He loses interest in sharing everything with Frida. After a hundred frozen nights of snow and retreat from the cold, the window of the house is again open. The external space beckons Owl and he follows its call.

Leaving Frida, Owl explores the world which is more than he knows. But he is only a small enough thing in a huge space. He thinks of Frida, her love and warmth. He returns to their snowy home in the forest. But what will he find?

Owl, in its burgundy cover, is a beating heart; the poignant story of love and freedom, home and belonging. Beautifully illustrated with delicate lines and equally delicate prose, this book is a collector’s item made so by its uniqueness in presentation, theme and overall content.

Princess and Fairy: Enchanting Carnival

Princess and Fairy: Enchanting Carnival by Anna Pignataro (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283– 320-0
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Princess and Fairy are best friends who live in fairyland. In Enchanting Carnival, the sixth Princess and Fairy book, the holidays have arrived and the two friends have plenty of activities to keep them busy. One day, while they are playing on the beach, a hot air balloon drops them an invitation to the Carnival, along with a list of objects to find along the way.

From this point all the pictures contain hidden objects. Marvellously intricate illustrations hide all the objects on the list, things such as four glass balls, two musical noses and a flea circus carriage. These double spread pictures are busy, full of bunnies, carnival folk, sideshows, rides and other fairyland landmarks. They are soft, magical and enchanting and could be looked over countless times, with new discoveries made every time the book is read. All the pages are filled with sweet fairyland images: mushrooms, star lanterns, horse drawn caravans, creating much distraction and diversion for the reader as they search for the hidden treasures.

The story, also, is rich with imagery and written in magical rhyme:

‘The Elf Storm, the Witch Whirl, and the Hobgoblin Slide,
Make Princess and Fairy all wriggly inside.’

The sparkly cover and cute bunnies will attract young girls from about 3 years old, but the curly script and the reasonably tricky look-and-find elements will draw in older girls as well for long stints of scrutiny.

Ships in the Field

Ships in the Field by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Anna Pignataro

(Ford Street Publishing)

HB RRP $26.95

ISBN 978-1921665233

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

Joining the mastery of award-winning author, Susanne Gervay and award-winning illustrator, Anna Pignataro – Ships in the Field is a picture book filled with significance, beauty and rich subtext.

Narrated through the simple, but intuitive eyes of a little girl, this picture book tells the story of life for a refugee family who have fled from their war torn country and started a new life in a foreign land. The little girl shares heart warming family moments with the reader. Images of her father splashing her with water from the laundry tub, making hats for the whole family from paper napkins, promising her a puppy that she so longs for, or sitting on top of trees that give a view of the whole world; all of these provide a safe and comfortable foundation for her to share other images of her family’s life that are far deeper and more complex. We see her mother crying in the hallway as she sleeps, we hear of how the night scares her, we hear of the loss of their previous life, and the complexity of mistaking ‘ship’ for ‘sheep’. These images are delicately interwoven in a way that brings hope and understanding.

The intricate images from Anna Pignataro are wonderfully complimentary and equally telling. She captures the warmth, solidary and strength of the family through her soft, watercolour images; however, the double page image spreads also provide the subtext for what is left partially unsaid in the narrative – the gloom, loss, fear and devastation of war. Colour is a significant part of the illustrations and the sense of hope overcoming loss and devastation is depicted through the changing colours, as the darker and more neutral tones are slowly replaced with brighter and more vibrant colours towards the books close.

Through its imagery, clever word play and warmth, Ships in the Field has created a thoughtful and touching insight into the world of a child whose life has been shredded by war. While it is a great insight, it is not overly confronting and easily accessible for younger readers. It is a significant picture book that will assist children (aged 7+) to develop empathy and understanding.