Busy Izzy and Talkative Tess

Busy Izzy and Talkative Tess by Roxanne Kiely, illustrated by Jeesoo Kim (Busy Ink Publishing) PB ISBN 9780994551016

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Children across the globe enjoy songs, music and games, as well as rhythm and rhyme, which is why the CEO of the World Literacy Foundation says he highly recommends the books in the Busy Izzy series for children. 

The illustrated book suitable for readers 5 to 8 years starts with the words, ‘Do you have a friend who talks a lot?/Natters and chatters and doesn’t stop?’ Busy Izzy, the book’s protagonist, has such a friend who not only talks fast, but also last, sounding like one of those people who we say can talk under water. Tess is present while Izzy and her friends are working in the garden, but she ruins the activity with a series of accidents and her constant chatter.

Happily, Izzy patiently explains to Tess about taking her turn when in company and Tessa accepts she’s hogged the limelight: she apologises, and Izzy and her friends are better able to enjoy their friend. The group write stories which they share and then sing a song about friendship.

The Izzy series is aimed at creating and developing friendships among children. On the back page of this book is a list of ingredients for friendship, which includes patience, kindness, understanding, fun, listening and more. Without doubt, Busy Izzy and Talkative Tess manages to cover all the bases of friendship. The story is told in rhyming verse which would suit reading aloud, and the story could easily be adapted to theatre with young readers acting out the parts of Izzy, Tess, and their group of friends.

Not only is there a book, but there’s also a CD with well-known Australian actor Bec Hewett featured as the voice of talkative Tess. All songs have been written by the author and Stephen Kiely.

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Busy Izzy books is donated to the World Literacy Foundation. You can find more about the books and related materials on busyizzy.com and on Facebook, YouTube and the Busy Izzy app.

Busy Izzy and Friends

Busy Izzy and friends by Roxanne Kiely, illustrated by Jeesoo Kim (Busy Ink Publishing) PB RRP $14.99   ISBN: 9780646941042 

Busy Izzy and Newly Truly by Roxanne Kiely, illustrated by Jeesoo Kim (Busy Ink Publishing) PB RRP $14.99   ISBN: 9780994551009

Reviewed by Stephanie Ward

The first two books in the Busy Izzy picture book series introduce readers to the modern world of Green Grass Grove, a "happy and healthy place" with a diverse cast of characters. 

In Busy Izzy and Friends, we meet cheerful Busy Izzy who owns the Nix & Nax store. When her friends come to visit, she offers them healthy snacks and gives them jobs around the shop. When things go wrong, Busy Izzy always knows just what to do and is never too busy to help a friend in need. 

Busy Izzy and Newly Truly introduces readers to Izzy's new puppy who had been neglected by its previous owners. Busy Izzy adopts her spunky new pet from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The story explains how Newly Truly was rescued and cared for by this caring organisation. With a wealth of back matter including notes about how to read a puppy's signals and loads of healthy recipes, this book is packed with information about taking care of pets. 

The Busy Izzy series offers young readers the opportunity to jump into a kid-centric situations (like bike riding, kite flying and caring for a new puppy) while being taught lessons about kindness, safety and health. Often, these messages are overt: 'Safety first, helmets on' or 'We must wear hats and sunscreen'. This approach supports the storyline around Busy Izzy always knowing what to do and sharing that information with her friends. There is also a strong theme of nutrition through the foods and snacks in the story offered as recipes in the back pages of the book. Plus, there are fun sing-along songs -- My 26 BFFs and Busy Izzy Says, to name just two -- both written out and recorded on an accompanying CD that reminds children of all they've learned. 

The bold illustrations show wonderful facial expressions that bring out the concern in Worried Warren and Bossy Bobby's commanding ways. The bright, rainbow colour palette and attention to even the smallest details in the storyline make the illustrations a perfect match for the words.

Australian author, Rozanne Kiely has created a fun series of simple stories that readily appeal to young children. Endorsed by the World Literacy Foundation, the Busy Izzy series goes beyond storytelling to include songs, recipes and games to supplement the lessons and themes in the books.