The Mosaic

The Mosaic by Deborah Kelly, illustrated by Nicky Johnston (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922539731

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Frankie’s life changes the day that her mother’s vase is smashed. Her father leaves, and her grandmother arrives to look after her. The vase once held many happy memories, but it’s now a big mess – much like her family. Nan takes Frankie to an art gallery, and Frankie discovers a huge mosaic on the wall. It is made from broken ‘pots and bowls and plates and cups’, yet the overall picture is breathtaking. Frankie decides that maybe the fragments of her existence can fit together in a new way, one that is ‘every bit as beautiful as a mosaic’.

Deborah Kelly’s moving metaphor comparing a shattered family to a mosaic will bring comfort to children aged four to eight who are coming to terms with parental separation. Frankie’s joyful visit to the art gallery reveals an uplifting truth: when everything has fallen to pieces, the only thing to do is to make the best of the situation. Art therapy has never been more heartening.

In keeping with the gentleness of the story, Nicky Johnston’s pastel-coloured images are calming to the eye. Stronger hues are reserved for the enlightening mosaic, as warm reds, jolly pinks, peaceful blues and fresh greens combine to create a rainbow of floral hope. Youngsters will adore the characters’ charming faces, which are flush with evocative emotion.

The Mosaic reassures readers that every family is perfect in its own way – even if the people have been rearranged into a new reality. Sometimes, when a fractured life imitates art, something precious is created with the pieces. 

The Doll Box

The Doll Box by Deborah Kelly, illustrated by Joanna Bartel (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922539700

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Isla wants to reach the top of the climbing frame, but it’s too scary and difficult, so she plays with the three dolls in Mama’s small blue tin instead. Then her mum reveals a secret: each of the dolls represents an inspiring ancestor. Great Great Grandma Sarah was brave enough to board a boat to a new country, even though she couldn’t swim. Great Grandmother Phyllis had the fortitude to run a farm when her husband went off to war. Grandmother Gaga believed in herself, when no one else thought a girl could be an engineer. Isla soon realises that she has the courage, strength and confidence of her forebears within her, and she conquers her fear of the climbing frame.

Deborah Kelly’s stirring story reminds kids aged four to eight that they are not alone in the world – they are riding on the shoulders of the daring, diligent and determined family members who have come before them. Peeks at hardships of the past show the protagonist, Isla, that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to, even if she has shaky legs, achy arms and a knotted stomach. Readers will cheer when Isla triumphs, taking heart from her soaring success.

As soon as children see the colourful chaos of flowers on the endpapers, they’ll know that they’re in for a vibrant ride through Joanna Bartel’s illustrations. Each spread is brimming with vivid details, and there is a strong floral motif throughout (even the dear blue tin is decorated with delicate daisies). In contrast, the three pages featuring historical vignettes are eye-catching because they are black and white – youngsters are immediately immersed in the events of yesteryear.

Ideal for kids who are reluctant to try things – especially if they’ve had a negative experience – The Doll Box will encourage them to look inside and find the generational resilience built into their bloodline. This will empower them to rise to any occasion – even the crest of a colossal climbing frame!

The Thing About Oliver

The Thing About Oliver by Deborah Kelly (Wombat Books) PB RRP $14.99         ISBN: 9781925563818

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

Tilly and her Mum live in a country town where they both work hard to support Oliver. Oliver has autism and needs lots of special care. For a twelve-year-old girl the pressure seems immense as we share one of Oliver's many episodes in the opening chapter. Tilly has her own special interests; she immerses herself in the study, and care of marine life. Her room is locked although not soundproof. She seeks refuge when she can with her aquarium fish.  

After detailing their regular routine all based on Oliver's care, Tilly narrates the story in a very matter of fact way. We soon realise her childhood, schooling and future, have already been adversely impacted by the lack of outside support. Even the regular therapy sessions require long drives so there is no free or social time for this young girl.

 Tilly is shocked when her mum announces that she has lost her job and they need to move once more however this time to the coast in Queensland where they can be near the water to live with Tilly's aunt Janine. Faced with so much disruption, both Tilly and her mum are on high alert to monitor Oliver's reactions.  Although she must leave her beloved fish and aquarium behind, Tilly is excited about being so close to the water and finally learning to swim. Aunt Janine works hard to help and provides much needed support to both mother and daughter.  Tilly finally breaks when Oliver destroys her precious aqua diary. Despite her ongoing dedication to Oliver's wellbeing, Tilly explodes, a reasonable reaction to years of tension. Faced with Oliver's disappearance, it is Tilly who convinces the police to change their search methods to find the lost runaway child who is unable to speak.

The thing about Oliver is a no-holds-barred story about the real situation families face when they have a special needs child. Oliver's episodes, their triggers, impact and calming techniques are documented with clarity.  In this story mother and daughter have developed the strong and structured routine to support Oliver every day, and night. With the financial, personal and emotional stress they face, the move required to survive means even more impact on their already delicate relationship with each other and Oliver.

I read this book in one sitting. It is a valuable, well-written Australian story that shares how autism can and does affect families of all types. It highlights the additional needs of families that struggle financially and those living in rural areas away from support services. Told from a child's perspective, the story resonates emotionally providing much needed insight into life with a special -needs sibling. 

Although this book pulls no punches, it is a story that resonates with strength and love. It has positive outcomes. With Aunt Janine's support and love, Tilly achieves her own goals of learning to swim and a future by the water.  Her mum finds a job, providing a financially secure future and Oliver finds new support in regular therapy sessions in and out of the water. Recommended age is 9 to 12 years.

Me and You

Me and You by Deborah Kelly, illustrated by Karen Blair (Viking) HB RRP $24.99   ISBN 9780670079247

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

So much love packed into one book! Deborah Kelly and Karen Blair have teamed up for the first time to create this beautiful tale of love, togetherness and the simple things in life. The gorgeous endpapers set the mood for this heart-warming reflection on early childhood. The story is told through the eyes of a fun-loving young girl who has overwhelming gratitude for spending time with those closest to her. It divinely reinforces the old adage that ‘children love your presence more than your presents.’

Throughout the book, we see images of the little girl’s fun-filled days with her parents, grandparents, cousins, neighbours and dog as she describes the many everyday experiences that clearly fill her heart with joy.

‘I love our arty-crafty days, our cut-and-paste and colour days, making things all kinds of ways with scissors, paint and glue.’

Me and You is written in verse and is beautifully illustrated using pencil and soft watercolours. This picture book makes a great bedtime story, best read snuggled up with your little one. This story may even encourage them to reflect on their own relationships and start a conversation about what they love about their days! This book is suitable for children aged 3-6 and is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

The Bouncing Ball

The Bouncing Ball by Deborah Kelly, illustrated by Georgia Perry (Random House Australia Children’s)
HB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9780857980045
Also available as an ebook
ISBN 9780857980052
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

It’s one of those great moments of co-ordination when you are little and can finally bounce a ball. When ‘a small boy found a small ball’ on Kelly’s opening page of her picture book, there’s great excitement in the simple use of language to: pick up, bounce, throw and catch the ball. The boy has control over the red ball until it bounces away. Thus begins the first adventure in the story as the ball bounces ‘between two cars … into the gutter … down the drain,’ and ‘out to sea.’

The next turning point in the plot is when the ball is found on a beach by a ‘small girl’ who then uses different actions while having fun, as the ball is ‘skimmed … buried’ and ‘brushed.’

A third turning in the plot occurs when the girl loses the ball as it bounces through the window of a truck.

Kelly uses the conjunction ‘until’ as a page-turner taking the reader on the tangent of other adventures … ‘until’ the ball bounces ‘down a slope off a rock and into a river … never to be seen again.’ The very last page has one word beneath the vivid illustration of a child in a wooden boat following a floating ball along a river bathed in sunset. ‘Until …’, thus allowing the reader to create their own versions of ‘until’ and continue the ball’s journey with their own scenarios.

Illustrator, Georgia Perry’s background in illustration, animation, photography and installation combine in this beautifully designed, evocative and textured picture book. Her bold and bright illustrations not only enhance the rhythm of Kelly’s words; they also add humour to the ball’s various journeys.

What’s also great is the picture book’s wide appeal. Children of all cultures and socio-economic backgrounds can connect with the experience and joy of playing with a ball.

The endpapers are filled with different coloured balls; enough for everyone’s imaginative adventures.