This Girl That Girl

This Girl That Girl by Charlotte Lance (Allen & Unwin 2016)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN: 9781760291709

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

In This Girl That Girl, Charlotte Lance introduces her two delightful protagonists through sparing, rhythmic language. Her intricate, whimsical illustrations perfectly capture their quirky personalities and bring their unique worlds to life.

This book has a lovely look and feel, but what I appreciate most about it is the simple but important message it carries for young girls to be themselves. This girl and that girl are confident, creative and completely comfortable in their own skin.

The pair might live next door to each other, but they’re different in so many ways, and that doesn’t bother them at all. While this girl vacuums leaves, that girl throws them in the air. And while this girl’s dad tries to fit into a pillowcase, that girl’s dad sorts coloured gravel, one stone at a time.

The revelation comes when the dads each decide to build a tree-house. Along with this girl and that girl they tackle their projects in their own ways, but the resulting structures are surprisingly similar.

This is a story about the unique paths we take to get where we’re going that highlights the beauty of individuality. A fun and engaging picture book for children aged four to seven years that will have particular appeal to girls.

I Have a Dog (an inconvenient dog)

I Have a Dog (an inconvenient dog) written and illustrated by Charlotte Lance (Allen and Unwin Children)

PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74331-781-5

Reviewed by Ann Harth (www.annharth.com )

Charlotte Lance has done it again. She has created a gentle, humorous story from a familiar slice of life. Young (and not-so-young) pet-lovers will be captivated by this book as they identify with the familiar trials of owning an exuberant dog.

I Have a Dog (an inconvenient dog) will touch the hearts of many as they follow a young boy through a day with his dog. They will laugh at the inconveniences of messy rooms, chewed toilet paper and ruined clothing and feel the warmth and convenience of unconditional cuddles during scary movies and bedtime.

Charlotte Lance’s simple, repetitive language tells the story while her detailed illustrations enrich the experience and invite the reader to inspect these lives more closely. The combination works together to capture the humour, exasperation and tenderness of the relationship between a boy and his pet.

Children from 3-6 years old will devour this book and, by the time they close the back cover, the meaning of the word ‘inconvenient’ will be imprinted on their minds. If they are pet owners, they will giggle at the familiarity of the fluffy white dog’s antics and if they don’t have a dog, they will want to.

Charlotte Lance is the creator of A Very Super Hero. She writes and illustrates her own books and illustrates for others. She also has a children’s t-shirt label, BOYGIRL, and exhibits her illustrations. For more information on Charlotte Lance and to see a selection of her work, please visit: http://www.charlielance.com.

Ann Harth is a published children's author and writing tutor at Australian College of Journalism. She loves to read and is committed to creating children's literature that inspires, entertains and triggers a tiny twist in the mind. Her latest middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, was released in 2012.