A Life Song

A Life Song by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker (Penguin Random House, Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781761047640

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Music is a form of storytelling. Songs are inspired by life events – the ups and downs, the joys, and the sadness – and can be added to, verse by verse, with a chorus, a (heart)beat and a melody. So, it makes sense that life could be seen a song.

This is the metaphor that Jane Godwin and Anna Walker use in their beautiful book, A Life Song. It’s a celebration of individuality and the precious nature of life and is skilfully rendered through Godwin’s uplifting words and Walker’s gentle, welcoming illustrations.

As the book explains, our stories start at birth. They grow and evolve over the years and capture all our memories. But when we leave, our story – our song – stays behind, a tribute to our time on earth.

A Life Song reminds me a little of the classic Dr Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! However, it is gentler. More lyrical. Quieter. Ultimately, I would go as far to say that it has the potential to be more powerful.

Share this book with your child from the first time you read to them. Then again as they grow. Encourage them to compose their song – one that is unique to them – to embrace the moments of joy and learn from the difficult ones.

This book is more than a story. It’s a journey, and a catalyst for inspiration that should be shared through generations.

Hello Jimmy!

Hello Jimmy! written and illustrated by Anna Walker (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760893422

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Visually this a beautiful book from the fly pages with a scattering of green feathers through to a middle double-page spread of a boy in the grey of his night-time bedroom surrounded by gorgeous birds of every colour (which fly out of his window), and beyond to well-designed pages, with judicious use of white space. The illustrations manage to capture the tenderness and nuanced story of a small boy and his father.

The book’s dedication reads, ‘… for the child who feels lost, may you feel found and know that you are loved.’ This is a tender story of love and unconditional acceptance.

Jack’s dad is alone but visited by his son who wonders if he is lonely as his house is so quiet (‘Jack knew what that felt like’). Things change when Jack visits and discovers that Dad has a green parrot, found on his doorstep. His name is Jimmy and Dad thinks he’s amazing. When Jimmy talks to Jack, he says, ‘Be good, Jimmy’, but Jack is annoyed (‘Don’t call me Jimmy! My name’s Jack.’) The bird is a great companion for Dad, but Jack wishes he could be as amazing: he seems to have come between them with Jack wondering why Dad doesn’t feel the same about him. But of course, that is not how the book ends.

This imaginative and touching story is one of persistence and optimism and love, too. It is sure to be enjoyed by readers from 5+ years.

 

Lottie and Walter

Lottie and Walter by Anna Walker (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780143787181

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Lottie’s with her mum and baby brother at the swimming pool. She has a secret from them that even her instructor doesn’t know – and that is she knows that a shark is hiding in the pool. It doesn’t want to eat anyone, but her, Lottie!

At the pool Lottie goes to classes but never goes into the pool. There, one day, she meets Walter, a walrus who befriends her, follows her home, even hops in the bath with her! He’s a great friend – even helps her overcome her fear of the dark.

At the pool party, Lottie suddenly plunges into the water. Is she eaten by the shark? That’s the question the parent reading to their child is likely to ask: the end of the book will reveal the answer.

The illustrations in this picture book suit the text perfectly with lots of black and white space around coloured pictures of Lottie, Walter and others in the story. The picture of Walter and Lottie in the bubble bath is lovely. 

This is a quirky, book that can help to empower any young child aged 4 to 6 years who is overcome with fear. It’s also about a unique friendship between a little girl and her secret companion.

Florette

Florette written and illustrated by Anna Walker (Penguin Viking) HB RRP

ISBN 9780670079414

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

I loved both the front and back covers of this picture book by a well-known Australian picture book creator, but when I opened it, the fly pages took my breath away: they are simply sumptuous, so lovely -- a mass of foliage of all shades of green with the occasional flower or small animal. On the title page, the word ‘Florette’ is decorated with sprigs of greenery and flowers while below it a small child in short plants is offering a plant to a sitting dog.

This is the story of Mae who wants to take her garden with her when her family moves to a new home. However, ‘there was no room among the crowded roof-tops for apple trees and daffodils.’ All around the small child lies concrete and there are no opportunities for her to ‘chase butterflies in the wavy grass.’ Even the park in her new home is filled with ‘tiny stones and empty chairs.’ Following a bird, Mae comes across a beautiful shop filled with greenery, but sadly it’s closed. Outside it, though, she finds a ‘stalk of green.’ She plants this in a jar on a window ledge in her apartment.

In the final double-page illustration the outdoor’s courtyard where children used to play hopscotch and other chalk games, is filled with many pots of leafy plants and children who play and help tend Mae’s new garden. And in the final single page illustration we see the front of the apartment block where windows bloom with vegetation. Mission accomplished!

This delightful picture book shows readers how it is possible to fulfill one’s vision even when it doesn’t seem possible, simply by being persistent and taking a new perspective. It shows too the power of the imagination, the magic of the natural world and resilience in the face of change. Mae’s experience must surely encourage children to ‘green’ their environment no matter where they live.

The text of Florette is simple, the sentences short and sweet: the illustrations, often set with lots of white space are poignant and compelling. This book is highly recommended especially for readers aged 5 to 7 years.

Alfie’s Lost Sharkie

Alfie’s Lost Sharkie by Anna Walker (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-992-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Alfie, the engaging little crocodile who loves to procrastinate, is back! This time it is bedtime and he cannot find Sharkie. How’s a little crocodile supposed to sleep without the right toy to cuddle? Once again, it’s up to a clever father to find a way around the distractions, keep things going and get his tired son bathed and in to bed. ‘Let’s see if he is in the bath.’, ‘He might be hiding in your pyjama drawer.’

The text in the story is dialogue; bold font for Alfie and normal for Dad. The pictures provide all the other clues for the story, the search for Sharkie. These ink and collage illustrations are full of colour, shape and imagination and the text looks like strips stuck on, blending the words and pictures seamlessly.

 Alfie’s Lost Sharkie is an engaging and fun story which will be enjoyed by preschoolers and their adult readers. Children will respond to the humour and relate to many aspects of Alfie’s behaviour. Every parent will recognise Alfie’s stalling tactics and applaud Dad’s gentle way of dealing with them.

Mr Huff

Mr Huff written and illustrated by Anna Walker (Penguin Viking) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780670078042                                                  

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Contained in the pages of this wise picture book is a wonderful idea which is sure to appeal to many children (even adults)! Bill is a boy who’s having a bad day. Absolutely nothing goes right for him at home or at school. When he awakes it’s ‘cloudy, with a chance of rain’. Hovering over him, like a storm cloud is a black shape – like a cloud, one which follows him all morning. By recess at school, the cloud has grown into an enormous size and has tiny feet that continue to follow the poor boy.

Bill’s unable to articulate the thing that’s following him.

Relentless, the thing – given the name Mr Huff – follows Bill to bed and – hatefully – is there the next day. Bill wants to be rid of it, and it is only when he accepts Mr Huff, taking it by its puny hand, is he able to do so. Next day, happily, ‘the day was cloudy, with a chance of sunshine.’

For any child who is finding life difficult – indeed for anyone suffering the blues or even a black depression – this book was especially written and illustrated for them. As with most people in Bill’s situation, the sufferer does attempt to be rid of the heaviness. But as you read on, the gentle message of this book is revealed: only when you confront your feelings are you able to go forward as Bill does.

In keeping with the heavy mood Bill feels for most of the story, Walker has kept her watercolour palette dark and simple. There are splashes of colour and even some humour (the enormous Mr Huff sleeping under Bill’s bed, determined to stay in his life) so there is always hope.

This is a splendid, poignant book which can be read simply as text, or it can be used by parents and/or therapists to help a small child overcome his or her unhappiness. My only criticism of the book is that the typeface is far too small, especially for young readers.

Hurry Up Alfie

Hurry Up Alfie by Anna Walker (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-991-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Sometimes getting ready to go out can take time. Alfie’s dad can be a little impatient, “Hurry up, Alfie!” But this time it seems that Alfie knows better than Dad, just what clothing is required for a day out in the park.

 

This is an energetic and engaging book about the procrastinations of one child, and the patience and exasperation his father. It is a scenario many parents – and their children – will recognise and is told with simplicity and humour. It is a joy to read.

I love Walker’s illustrations; they are busy and lively as Dad tries to keep up with his little crocodile who whizzes around on his scooter, tries to do headstands, and plays with the cat. The details are quirky with lots of little surprises and the pictures portray a beautiful relationship between the father and son.

Hurry up Alfie is a warm story which will be shared with many laughs between parents and pre-schoolers.

 

Peggy

Peggy by Anna Walker (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-270-8
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Peggy is a contented chicken who gets blown out of her comfort zone. One blustery day, the wind picks her up and deposits her on a bustling city street. She uses her ingenuity to find her way home, finding new friends and perspectives on her journey.

I loved this book. I loved the story, I loved the pictures and I loved Peggy.

Anna Walker, writer and illustrator, has melded the text and illustrations beautifully; one would not work as perfectly without the other. Young children will be taking in the pictures long after each page is read to them. Some pages have many pictures while some have one or two. A gorgeous illustration of Peggy walking on a crowded city footpath, surrounded by people and umbrellas needs no words at all and takes up the double spread of the open book. Here, the few red umbrellas lift the scene from one of a dull day to one that sparkles.

Walker’s use of colour helps to convey an impression of calm. For such a busy, blustery book, the energy of the story is gentle, slow and unruffled. The pen and wash create soft colours, enhancing the serene, considered way Peggy approaches her situation and adds to the surprising quietness of the story.

Peggy is humorous, intelligent and fun. The short, beautifully formed sentences are a joy to read aloud and there is so much to be explored in the pictures. I think this will become a much loved favourite. Peggy is a chook with character.

The twist at the end is a wonderful surprise and I closed the book with satisfaction and a smile, before opening it straight away to start again. This picture book will appeal to the very young, but also to their older sibling, parents and grandparents.

 

Bilby Secrets

Bilby Secrets by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Mark Jackson (Walker Books)

HB RRP $29.95

ISBN 9781921529320

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Bilby Secrets is a wonderful book which explores the desert world of the Greater Bilby and aims to highlight the vulnerability of this unique Australian marsupial. Undoubtedly the strength of the book is the fictional story of Mother Bilby and her son and factual snippets running consecutively throughout.

We follow Baby’s growth under the guidance of Mother until he is mature and strikes out by himself into the harsh desert environment of the Pilbarra in Western Australia where Greater Bilbies make their home. Other desert inhabitants are also introduced. These include a fox, an olive python and a golden orb-weaver. Each spread also contains text in a different font which explains the behaviour and habits of bilbies including their food, habitat and reproduction.

Wignell writes in an engaging manner that draws the reader into the bilbies’ journey. Her text is perfectly complemented by Mark Jackson’s colourful illustrations that bring the desert world to life. Rather than being an empty landscape, Jackson shows the desert in all its variety and also from the perspective of the bilbies. (That is one big python!) The colours of the Western Australian outback provide a wonderful palette for him to draw from and he makes full use of it.

The book is further complemented by a brief introduction to the bilby at the beginning and an index at the back of the book. This would make a wonderful addition to libraries and a perfect gift, especially to send overseas.

I Don’t Believe in Dragons

I Don’t Believe in Dragons written and illustrated by Anna Walker (Scholastic Press) 

HB RRP $24.99 

ISBN 9781741693423

Recommended for 1+ years

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

Anna Walker captures the essence of childhood fantasy in this lovely book, where all the children are happy to believe there is a dragon at preschool, except for one little boy called Jack. “There’s no such thing as dragons!” says Jack. In a classic mise en scène, the dragon sits blithely playing in the sandpit with bucket and spade, while the children say, “I wonder where the dragon is?” and make a cardboard dragon with their teacher.

Ever the voice of reason and adult perspective, Jack states categorically that the feather Ned found belongs to a bird, not a dragon, that dragons do not fly. Meanwhile, the dragon is making tea in the kitchen and sharing a cupcake with teddy. Ben wonders if dragons snore, but Jack asserts that the snoring sound at naptime is coming from Emma, not a dragon. He can’t see the large orange spotted dragon snoozing in the corner on a pile of cushions. Back outside Sally insists she has found a dragon’s footprint, to which Jack derisively replies, “I don’t believe in dragons.” Finally the winged dragon appears to Jack in the playground, arms folded neatly, waiting for him to play football. Jack is speechless. On the final page Emma says, “I love dragons,” and Jack replies, “Me too,” as the dragon flies above them, clutching teddy.

I love the softness of Walker’s illustrations and the way she neatly infuses humour into each scene. The storyline is well thought out, paced and the ending is perfect. This story has a wistful, nostalgic feel to it and I’m sure adults reading it to their young children will smile and remember how they used to believe in magic flying dragons too.

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains and was awarded a May Gibbs Fellowship in 2010, www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com