Shine

Shine by Danny Parker, illustrated by Ruth de Vos (Fremantle Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760990213

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Having six children can’t be easy on Mum or Dad, but this book’s illustrator, who has six children between the ages of 5 and 17, says that through her illustrations she wanted to share the beauty and chaos, the joys and blessings of having multiple children without pretending that it’s easy or smooth sailing. Thus, the double-page fly pages of this picture book show a wide range of chaotic family vignettes from parents playing with their children to children playing among themselves. All look as though they are having fun (and being noisy).

Shine is a love song between a parent and a child, celebrating the beauty and joy of everyday family life, through mess and daily routines. Shine is also a story that seeks to find the beauty in ordinary things- the wonder of a lazy afternoon, the joy of being together. It is an attempt to put words to that spark of connection that we have with each other.

In rhyming couplets such as the introductory, ‘In my lightning, you’re the light. /In my brightly, you’re the bright’, the reader gets an understanding of how family members (just like the reader’s own) interact with one another. In the first double page spread, typically Mum and Dad are asleep in bed, with two children and a baby crawling (and jumping) on the bed. There’s no rest for parents when kids are around!

In other illustrations there is lots of mess, some of which (upturned chairs, sheets) make good hiding spots. Mum gets to sit down for a moment with lots of clutter around her, to have a cup of tea. One page shows Dad and five children – it’s the first time all of them are together. Dad is trying to enjoy a glass of water but baby is crawling over him.

The illustrations really make this book. The children all look joyous no matter what they are doing, from bathing together to raiding the fridge at night. Ruth de Vos’ work as an internationally recognised textile artist, is demonstrated on some of the pages which have woven fabric in the background.

Recommended for readers 5+ years. 

Molly & Mae

Molly & Mae by Danny Parker, illustrated by Freya Blackwood (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781742975276

Reviewed by Joanne Wishart

This gentle picture book tells the story of two lively girls, Molly and Mae, who are about to embark on a train trip with family. They have a long day of travel ahead, and the girls busily find games to play, first throughout the station and then the cabin, occasionally managing to get into trouble. The girls’ journey is paralleled in the illustrations by familiar elements of travel, such as timetables and signage along the way. We share the girls’ mercurial imaginings and see their close friendship. When they have a minor falling-out, the station signs are used to add layers of meaning to scenes.

Blackwood’s illustrations – a mix of oil paint and printing on watercolour paper – have a raw yet delicate quality. Her recognisable sketch lines and subtle details provide plenty to delight the eye. The use of sepia tones and hazy visions of countryside from the train window evoke a sense of nostalgia or a tale told from memory, while the sometimes-bumpy journey of Molly and Mae’s friendship is contrasted by the straightforwardness of a journey by rail. The use of signs and symbols, scenes from the journey, and the simple but central storyline, enables a multilayered reading experience.

The girls must learn to solve their own problems as the day goes on. The illustrations give a sense of increasing richness and complexity as the journey progresses, also suggesting change and growth. The promise of new experiences is evoked by the final pages and endpapers, which, in contrast to the journey’s start, show their arrival in the atmospheric city station and the vision of a dramatic skyline. Molly & Mae could be a good book for children to enjoy in anticipation of a trip, or just to prompt dreams about possibilities. 

Budding trainspotters will enjoy the trains and railway paraphernalia. The story’s message about friendship – its ups and downs, but ultimate benefits – should also resonate for readers of all ages.

Molly & Mae

Molly & Mae written by Danny Parker, illustrated by Freya Blackwood (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781742975276

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Off the back of their recent collaboration, Perfect, comes another beautiful picture book from Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood. Molly & Mae is a tale of a friendship that unfolds over the course of a train journey.

Molly and Mae first meet on a train platform, where they giggle, play and delight in each other’s company. They continue to bond on a beautiful spread that chronicles a timetable of events (8.45 Sherbet, 9.05 Secrets), cementing their friendship as the ‘forever’ kind.

On board the train, we see their friendship deepen, then boredom sets in. Eventually, things go wrong. The clever use of train signage in the illustrations helps to chart their journey. For example, when Molly and Mae identify each other’s faults, there’s a ‘Signal Failure’ sign in the background. The sign pointing to a ‘Bridge’ indicates a resolution.

The text reflects the emotional ups and downs of any relationship – ‘There were hills and valleys and bends and straight runs, bridges and tunnels’. Molly and Mae’s journey is highly relatable, and offers a reflection on navigating differences, resolving problems, accepting others and strengthening bonds. Blackwood’s signature illustration style is perfectly suited to the story, with its muted pastels and expressive portrayals of the characters.

Crusts

Crusts by Danny Parker and Matt Ottley (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99   ISBN 9781742979830

Reviewed by J Wishart

This dynamic picture book is dedicated to all those children who don’t eat their crusts. Sure to resonate with many, its main protagonist, Jacob, is not a crust-eater. His story is delivered via an engaging parallel narrative that also follows three tiny aliens from a distant planet.

The aliens need help as their small planet is crumbling. They have travelled to earth to find the right material to build it up again. When they discover Jacob’s massive stash of discarded crusts they think their problems are solved – until it comes to getting them home. The aliens try to communicate with Jacob through his drawings in the hope he will help. Jacob does start building things with his crusts, but the aliens are disappointed when he seems to be only beginning to explore his crust-fuelled creativity.

The arrangement of Ottley’s lively drawings has the look and feel of a graphic novel or comic. The use of box frames with images from various perspectives – sometimes placed over the main illustration – convey a sense of activity and the passage of time. The alien’s conversations are presented like speech bubbles, while Jacob’s narrative is presented in a conventional story format. This places the reader ‘on side’ with the aliens – observing Jacob – and increases the suspense as they wait to see what he will do next.

Crusts touches on themes such as imagination, resourcefulness, determination and vision. Even the endpapers hint at adventure that lies beyond, with their glimpse of blue sky through a small window. There is humour in the form of visual gags to entertain the observant, and the combination of dialogue, visuals and narrative aid comprehension. 

Readers should enjoy the parallel stories and relate to the scenes of backyard play, invention and the ever-present childhood dilemma over what to do with those unwanted crusts.

Lola’s Toy Box: Party at Cuddleton Castle

Lola’s Toy Box: Party at Cuddleton Castle written by Danny Parker, illustrated by Guy Shield (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781760126858

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Lola and her favourite toy, a learn-to-dress clown called Buddy, attempt to play a game of hide-and-seek with Lola’s big brother Nick. But grumpy Nick is soon bored, and Lola notices he’s retreated to his room and turned up his music. Lola deals with this rejection by hopping into her magic toy box with Buddy, where adventure ensues.

As per each of the Lola’s Toy Box books, Lola faces conflict in the real world, and learns some coping mechanisms via her adventures in an alternative world where her toys come to life. In this story, she ventures to Cuddleton Castle, where a birthday party for The Great High Bear (the toy kingdom’s ruler) is about to take place. Some readers may pick up the fun reference to Hazel Edwards’ There’s a hippopotamus on our roof eating cake.

During the birthday celebrations, Lola uncovers a trick that antagonist The Plastic Prince has played on the bear. In the altercation that follows, Lola demonstrates bravery and kindness. Back in the real world, when she emerges out of the toy box, Lola is confronted by her brother Nick about their hide and seek game. However, she copes with a new kind of calm, no doubt acquired during the turmoil in the toy box.

This short, easy reading chapter book series is ideal for new readers in the early primary school years. It offers a fun escape from reality, while touching on problem solving without being overly didactic.

Perfect

Perfect written by Danny Parker, illustrated by Freya Blackwood (Little Hare Books/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921894848

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

This beautiful, evocative picture book perfectly captures the magic of childhood. Parker’s simple yet thoughtful words conjure the fun and freedom of a day filled with creative pursuits and adventure, without an electronic device (or an adult!) to be seen.

Three siblings and an adorable, loyal cat have the space to do and dream as they scribble, mix, climb and run through Blackwood’s depiction of a country cottage and idyllic landscape, in her inimitable, signature style. Even my five year old co-reviewer recognised her art – ‘it’s Cleo!’ she exclaimed, in reference to Blackwood’s illustrations in The Cleo Stories.

The gentle narrative is divided by a wordless, double-page spread in the book’s centre, which provides an aerial view of the children’s surrounds. Their world spans the beach, farmland and a hilltop village – a dreamlike childhood setting. This signifies their return home and the onset of rain, and a reflective, cosy ending to their day. It does indeed look perfect.

Lola’s Toy Box: The Patchwork Picnic

Lola’s Toy Box: The Patchwork Picnic by Danny Parker, illustrated by Guy Shields (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 9781760124366

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The Patchwork Picnic is the first junior fiction title in the Lola’s Toy Box series, by the author of picture books Tree and Parachute, Danny Parker. The chapters are interspersed with charming illustrations by Guy Shields, who recently worked on the redesign of literary magazine Kill Your Darlings.

When Lola’s mum is clearing out the family’s junk-crammed garden shed, Lola and her brother Nick are asked if they would like to keep any of the unwanted objects. Nick ‘pushed past her’ and immediately began to make his demands known, setting the scene for a realistically turbulent sibling relationship.

Lola sees magic in the jumble of old furniture in the shed’s shadows, and sets her sights on a large wooden box. In order to escape domineering Nick, Lola and her toy Buddy hop inside it. They emerge out of the box to find themselves on a hillside where Buddy begins to talk, and a magical journey in a kingdom of toys begins.

When Lola learns of the battle between the Plastic Prince and the Great High Bear in a place called Nevercalm, readers may recognise parallels with Lola’s own struggles with Nick. Lola draws on an inner-strength to challenge a threatening bear, and agrees to partake in a button test to prove to the toys she is trustworthy. Her adventure demonstrates her problem-solving skills, something readers may take heart from and be inspired to apply in their own lives.

Themes of resilience, courage, loyalty and kindness emerge in this magical tale that deals with issues many children may relate to. Lola is a strong female character who shows it is possible to be kind and stand up for yourself at the same time. And with a magic toy box now in her possession, there are more adventures in store for Lola and Buddy – in fact, three more titles in the series are already available.

Tree

Tree by Danny Parker, illustrated by Matt Ottley (Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921714412

Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang

www.thestoryline.com.au

This book is an absolute graphic delight. Matt Ottley is a master of colour and perspective. I delighted in the range and depth of images presented throughout.

The story is simple yet powerful. It tells of a sapling that grows under the shelter of an older tree, within a forest of trees. Time passes and a storm changes everything. The tree must then stand a lone through the clean up, the growing urbanisation of its environment, changes in use and then happily becoming just one in a park. In the end tree is offering shelter to a new sapling.

Overall it’s a gentle visually pleasing book which speaks to the environment and resilience. I highly recommend it.