Baby Band

Baby Band by Diane Jackson Hill, illustrated by Giuseppe Poli (New Frontier Publishing) HB RRP $24.99  ISBN 9781925059779

Reviewed by Rebecca Newman

When a new baby arrives in apartment 8A his crying annoys everyone on level 8. Then he discovers the joy of crashing together pots and pans. In their separate apartments each neighbour contributes their own sound to the baby’s pots-and-pans performance. The formerly reclusive neighbours finally fling open their doors and shimmy to the apartment block’s rooftop to play together in a makeshift band.

Poli’s delightful illustrations include musical quirks for the observant reader. (I particularly liked the treble clef in the street light’s frame, and the manuscript paper on the outside walls of the building.)

The endpapers give us the story in miniature — at the front we see the neighbours at a park, enjoying the day but not interacting with each other. At the end of the book the endpapers show the same park with the neighbours jamming together (including the noisy baby, pan in hand) and dancing.

Baby Band is great to read aloud.

About the reviewer: Rebecca Newman is a children’s writer and poet. When she’s not writing or reviewing, she is kept busy as the managing editor at Alphabet Soup’s website. rebeccanewman.net.au

Oliver's Grumbles

Oliver's Grumbles by Yvonne Mes, illustrated by Giuseppe Poli  (Dragon Tales Publishing) HB RRP $22.95 HB ISBN 978-0-9944280-0-4

Reviewed by Kaye Baillie

Oliver is a boy who smiles and laughs at lots of things like a silly song or a passing train, but then there are times when things make him growl and grizzle and grumble. In 'Oliver’s grumbles', when Oliver gets the grumbles, he really gets them. His grumbles become so real that these pesky little creatures come to life. When the grumbles steal his favourite red snuggle blanket, Oliver ‘pops’ and decides he’s going to deal with the grumbles once and for all, but in a very nice way. 

In this picture book for younger readers, the author makes clever use of alliteration which enhances her playful action filled text as we ride the storm of Oliver’s bad day to his calming solution.

Children will be drawn to Giuseppe Poli’s attractive cover showing Oliver and his mischievous grumbles. The title font and cross-out word are also kid-friendly and clues us in to how the grumbles are taking over. The illustrations throughout are attractive and colourful and the grumbles have the right mix of being naughty but irresistible. The colour variations to the text work well to highlight mood and action.

This is a wonderful book to read and read again, especially at bedtime.

Fearless with Dad

Fearless with Dad by Cori Brooke, illustrated by Giuseppe Poli (New Frontier Publishing)

HC RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781925059403

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This inspiring story of a relationship between father and son gives flight to the imagination. The boy believes that with his dad he can be and do anything. He can build sandcastles and be a pirate. He can build bridges, fly like an eagle, travel to the moon, and build a racing car. With his dad everything is possible. He is fearless and his possibilities are limitless.

This excellent book shows how children can be empowered by adults to become what they want to be. It’s about self-esteem and confidence, and that is mainly generated by the people they love the most in life. It’s about being loved and supported no matter how silly things seem. Life is there to be tasted.

I loved this book in its entirety because of the positive messages it contains. Their morphing depends on the reader’s interpretation of the underlying themes discovered in the text.

The illustrations in watercolour and black pencil are genuinely endearing while very casual, as are the characters. The book is full of joy, with a magical connection existing between the boy and his dad.

There is a visible assurance about what can be done or accomplished throughout the story. The confidence of the child is a tangible thing.

This book for the 3-6 age groups (but also for adults) has so much potential for use as a teaching tool. It should be found in schools, libraries, and homes, for although it is a boy and his dad, the message is clear. All we need is encouragement and someone to believe that we can, so we can also believe it ourselves.