Ducks Away

Ducks Away by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (Omnibus Book)

HB RRP $19.99   ISBN 978-1-76015-851-4

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

A mother duck is taking her five ducklings for a walk when a gust of wind blows one little duckling off the bridge and into the water below. One by one, as these curious little ducklings peek over the edge, they tumble into the water also, until the mother duck is left by herself wondering what to do. Her babies suggest she jump to join them, but it’s a long way down. What is Mother Duck to do?

The last book Fox and Horacek created together was Where is the Green Sheep? a delightful picture book full of humour, quirky characters/sheep, colour and entertainment. Ducks Away is just as enjoyable and engaging.

This simple story is perfect for the very young. The illustrations are entertaining and colourful, yet simple, with nothing distracting from the central storyline. It has a comfortable, story-telling voice, with repetition in the story structure as well as a repeated, rhyming refrain quacked by the mother duck.

‘What shall I do?

Where should I go,

With four on the bridge

And one below?’

The numbers in the refrain change each time another duckling falls, adding a new dimension to the traditional counting book.

Mem Fox is one of Australia’s best loved story tellers for the very young and with this new twist to the ‘Five Little Ducks’ classic it is easy to see why. This is a wonderful book to read to babies, toddlers and preschoolers at bedtime - or anytime of the day. The ending satisfyingly tips the mother/child bond on its head and sees the ducklings giving mum the confidence she needs to make the leap from the bridge.

This & That

This & That by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-253-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Mem Fox’s latest picture book is a lively romp through a whimsical world of bedtime stories. This & That is a rhyming tale for two mice having adventures via stories.

‘I’ll tell you a story of this,

And I’ll tell you a story of that.’

The mice flow beautifully from one story to the next – down a river, on the back of an elephant, and so on – until they are back home, mother mouse kissing her child goodnight. The bedtime procrastination routine and the value of stories run clearly through the pages, but it is the bond between mother and child which shines thorough strongest as they journey through the world of stories together.

Horacek’s vibrant and joyous illustrations echo the energy of the text and her recognisable style and colour fill the sparsely worded pages. The partnership between word and pictures is beautifully balanced throughout.

The rhythm and repetition of the text make this a perfect bedtime read aloud story for the young. Both words and pictures leave so much scope for the imagination to flourish and grow.

The previous collaboration from this pair, Where is the Green Sheep? has been on top of best-selling lists for the last ten years.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-257-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

It is bedtime, and Bonnie and Ben are told a goodnight rhyme by their favourite babysitter Skinny Doug. When they request it again he replies ‘No’:
“But I’ll tell you another
I heard from my mother:”
and he recites another rhyme.

Where is the Green Sheep? is a long time favourite and it is great to see another book by this author/illustrator combination. Mem Fox is always a joy to read aloud and Good Night, Sleep Tight is especially fun with its changing rhythm and pace - from the text of the main story, to the nursery rhymes and back to Bonnie, Ben and Skinny Doug.

The illustrations by Judy Horacek are bright and energetic. She blends beautifully the world of Bonnie and Ben with the action of the nursery rhymes by involving the children in the rhyming worlds. Bonnie’s stuffed horse becomes their steed in This is the Way the Ladies Ride, and the children, along with their babysitter, ride into the picture at the end of the line of ‘ladies, gentlemen and farmers’. Horacek also manages to balance the lively illustrations and characters with the bedtime atmosphere.

Good Night, Sleep Tight has great rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Young children will find familiarity in the seven classic nursery rhymes such as Good Night, Sleep Tight, Pat-a-Cake and It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, as recited by Skinny Doug. The characters are fun and engaging and the message, of stories before sleep, is beautifully and simply portrayed. It makes a wonderful bedtime story for the under fives.

These Are My Hands/These Are My Feet

These are My Hands / These are My Feet by Judy Horacek (National Library of Australia)

HB RRP $17.95

ISBN 9-780642-277480

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Horacek, a widely published Australian cartoonist, visual artist, illustrator and writer, is surely known for her first step into the children’s book world for illustrating Where is the Green Sheep?. One half of this new, sturdy, square offering, filled with bold, bright colours, has readers exploring what their feet mean to them. Flipping the book over and reading from the other side, the story in the other half of the book has them do the same for their hands.

Rhyme that scans well is a pleasure to read, my favourite being ‘My feet take me places – walking, running, different paces. Hopping, skipping, jumping races, crazy, zany, backyard chases.’ There are so many reasons to appreciate our feet and where they take us and young children will easily identify with all those that are presented. The fun and varied illustrations that show children doing all kinds of activities, including those that leave footprints, are a delight.

When it comes to hands, Horacek herself said she was amazed at how our relationship with them is so different to that with our feet. Again, the narrative and illustrations explore how many different activities our hands are used for. My favourite is ‘My hands hold on to things, like other hands … to make a ring.’  The accompanying illustration shows eight children holding hands to form a circle. While similar in many ways, they differ in hair and skin colour and facial appearance. The one wearing glasses is especially cute.

Great use of shapes and colours make this an excellent learning tool and I’m certain that young children will never tire of going back over the book to spot the many things there are to see in the full, yet uncluttered, scenes. Likewise, I’m sure no adult could tire of reading this glorious text. It rolls from the tongue so easily and splendidly and will help children with language development. No child should miss out on exposure to these things and, as such, this is the perfect book for preschools at the very least.