Rudie Nudie Christmas

Rudie Nudie Christmas by Emma Quay (ABC Books) ISBN 9780733338342 RRP $ 24.99

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

Our rudie nudie children are back in this fun-filled Christmas picture book story. The children blow bubbles before they throw off their towels and cavort through the house sharing many Christmas traditions, singing carols, and looking at the presents under the tree. Like all children they enjoy preparing the house for Christmas day then wait for Santa. Finally, ready for bed, the children fall asleep ready for the big day.

Told in rhyme, this is an engaging family story to share the joy of anticipation of young children with preschoolers. The end papers are lovely: Emma Quay’s pastel palette is complimented by red and green Christmas colour highlights. Another delightful preschool picture book from this wonderful Australian author illustrator.

Scarlett Starlet

Scarlett Starlet written and illustrated by Emma Quay (Harper Collins) HB RRP $24.99                                                

ISBN 9780733331589

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

A self confessed ‘dance mum’, Emma Quay has hit the spot with her delightful new picture book Scarlett Starlet.

Like many young children, Scarlett has a love of movement – ‘she high kicked to the kitchen’ and ‘danced into her clothes’ are just two of the simple, yet expressive images Quay conveys.

With her faithful dance partner Jazzy Jo-Jo, Scarlett entertains her parents with her toe tapping moves. Yet all dancers need a stage and Scarlett wonders what it would be like to dance on a real stage before an audience bigger than two. With her costume and dancing shoes, Scarlett is ready, clutching Jazzy Jo-Jo – but dogs weren’t allowed on stage and Scarlett must dance without her. But does she?

Quay fills the pages with images of a diversity of children, each warming up, waiting their turn to shine.

Finally it is Scarlett’s turn and we feel her apprehension as the spotlight beams on the small figure. Then the music starts and we know that Scarlett will feel the rhythm and her feet will know just what to do. Scarlett shone and at the end, the audience clapped – ‘the sound of their claps joined together and made applause.’ The other dancers shone, too with their parents glowing with pride, just like Scarlett’s.

Dominated by the bold colours of red and yellow, Quay captures the best of a dance recital, where all children shine through a combined love of dance and fun.

From a self confessed ‘non dance mum’, Quay made me smile throughout as both the text and illustrations belie the stereotypical dance recital!

Well suited to ages 3-5 years.

Baby Bedtime

Baby Bedtime by Mem Fox, illustrated by Emma Quay (Penguin Books)
Padded Cover RRP $24.99
ISBN 9780670075195
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Baby Bedtime is a tender and gentle expression of love from a mother to a baby – no matter what form or shape the baby takes. Here it is a purple elephant. Every line of Mem Fox’s delicate rhyming verse is a caress of love; the cuddle, the tickle and stroke is a hymn to love. From the singing of songs her mother sang to her, to reading a book or listening to the child breathing, every action speaks of love.

The impeccable illustrations have been created by the stylish and innovative illustrator and writer Emma Quay, whose work has been purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum, shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, chosen as CBCA Notable Books, and who has collaborated with writer Andrew Daddo and a string of other authors in creating all types of books for young children. It has been produced in a delightful, soft blue padded cover.

Here Emma’s illustrations are born through imagination and the use of acrylic paints, pencil, and Photoshop. The patterns and textures are from knitting by Byrnece, and objects found in Op Shops such as handkerchiefs, doilies, lace, belts and baskets. It is the ideal present for new born babies, or a simple expression of love.

Not a Cloud in the Sky

Not a Cloud in the Sky by Emma Quay (ABC Books/Harper Collins)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 9780733330919
Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

Bird had been flying for such a long time.
Sometimes everything looked the same all over.
Nothing different.
Nothing at all.
Apart from the odd cloud.

A lovely beginning to Emma Quay’s latest picture book featuring something that we have all shared with children (and adults) – watching clouds float by, changing shape and using our imaginations to conjure specific shapes.

Bird had been flying for a long time and everything looked the same until he saw a cloud drifting. Cloud says hello to Bird. An interchange begins, with cloud changing as the breeze pulls him into different shapes for Bird to guess. Both Cloud and Bird find this very entertaining and as the day draws to a close, Cloud is tiring, small wisps of him disappearing on the breeze. As the sun sets, he conjures a final magnificent shape of a dragon, its fiery breath represented by the glowing sunset.

Bird settles down to roost for the evening but is loath to leave his friend Cloud ‘See you in the morning?’ he asks. The story ends as it begins. 'Nothing different, nothing at all.' Except that Bird has roosted in a tree with other birds like himself. He will wake tomorrow amongst other new friends. Cloud may have moved on, but Bird will not be alone. Another bird comes in to roost below Bird and looks up at him expectantly, mirroring Bird at the beginning of the story – the cycle of friendship will continue.

Young children will enjoy one level of the narrative where Cloud befriends Bird and changes shape for him to guess, yet older children may also recognize the themes of loss, letting go and change as Cloud moves on – though he will be there in one way or another. Cloud could evaporate or turn into rain which in turn feeds the rivers and plants.

The endpapers continue the theme of change illustrating the progression of the  day, with the sun at the beginning and ending with the moon. Quay shows the cloud at it’s different stages of metamorphosis into a variety of shapes and this continues on the back cover, providing children with additional shapes to guess. See Quay’s website for examples of her illustrations in progress.

A gentle book which will be shared and enjoyed.

Shrieking Violet

Shrieking Violet written and illustrated by Emma Quay (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $26.99

ISBN 9781741695687

Recommended for 3+ years.

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith.

I love, love, love this book! Emma is a keen observer of children, capturing beautifully the dysfunctional relationship between two sisters -the naughty, pesky, attention-seeking younger toddler, Violet and her elder, tolerant sister who remains unnamed, (despite insisting the book is actually about her) and who just wants to share something with the reader. The immediacy and intimacy of the telling is striking. Quay’s use of language, in first person, keeps us with the elder sister (I wish we knew her name! Argh!) as she describes a typical day at home with Mum. Violet is shown in various poses, notably flinging herself on the floor when she isn’t the centre of attention. “Oh, and that’s Violet,” explains Big Sister.

The tension builds nicely until even Violet’s tolerant sister blows up, shouting, “VIOLET ALWAYS RUINS EVERYTHING!” At this point we begin to feel something of Violet’s frustration at being little, non-verbal and incapable of everything her elder sister can do. Of course Quay gently lets us down again as Violet wordlessly extends a gift to her sister – a bunch of tissues she has collected after strewing them all over the floor. Poor Violet! Then Big Sister comes up with an idea for Violet to play a tree, which she does brilliantly.

I love Quay’s use of colour and the patterned backgrounds, in complimentary purples and soft yellows, do not detract from the action. There is plenty of movement through the pages as we follow along, waiting to see what mischief Violet will get up to next. My favourite would have to be the painting scene, where Big Sister has made a cat out of a paper bag and Violet has made an impression of her bottom, in violet paint, on a sheet of paper on the floor.

I can see this book becoming a favourite of children and bringing a smile to the faces of their parents.

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains and is a recipient of a May Gibbs Fellowship for 2010. You can see photos from her recent writing workshops for kids:  www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com