Boots

Boots written by Elizabeth Pulsford, Illustrated by Krista Brennan (Wombat Books) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN 978171111037

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Boots is a heartwarming picture book that beautifully tells the story of an ordinary pair of Australian working boots and his family. Through the eyes of these humble boots, readers are taken on a journey that celebrates the ordinary and extraordinary.

Pulsford’s prose is charming, simple, and insightful, capturing the essence of resilience, hard work, and the bond between a working family and their trusty footwear. The boots, depicted with personality and warmth, become a symbol of stability and dependability. They accompany their owner through various tasks and challenges, standing as silent witnesses to the daily rhythms of life in Australia.

Krista Brennan’s illustrations are realistic and detailed, bringing the boots' adventures to life. Each page portrays the diverse environments and activities that the boots experience, from the dusty outback to the bustling farmyard.

What makes Boots particularly special is its ability to infuse a sense of nostalgia, pride, and value in ordinary things. It reminds readers of the importance of hard work and the strength of family ties. The story subtly teaches young readers about perseverance and the quiet heroism found in everyday life.

Boots is a moving and enriching read that pays homage to the unsung heroes of our daily lives. Elizabeth Pulsford has crafted a timeless tale that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

The Storytellers

The Storytellers by Robert Vescio, illustrated by Krista Brennan (IP Kidz)

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This picture book shows how stories shape lives. It begins with a small boy, Henry, who loves words and who grows up to be an author. It also encompasses numerous people from all over the world who are involved in telling stories, not only in words, but also in illustrations and film.

As an adult Henry posts off his manuscript: it is read by Alexia, a child reader who loves illustrations, and who, as an adult, ‘built a mighty publishing empire.’ Meanwhile, in a small remote village, Imani draws and colours. As an adult she catches the eye of a dark-skinned publisher. In an Asian kitchen, Seiko learns to read. This leads her to opening a shop ‘where stories ignite the imagination of young and old.’ Here Henry attends a book signing.

Another storyteller in this book is Jerome who likes the film things with his camera, which leads to him turning a children’s story into a movie masterpiece. One of these stories is The Dragon’s Lair, which was written by Henry. At the movie’s premier an illustration shows Henry, Imani, and Alexia. Meanwhile, in India, Ravi builds all sorts of things. He designs and creates an ‘extraordinary wonderland for guests, known as The Dragon’s Lair.

From a story written by Henry, other storytellers build worlds which connect with others. This book shows that whether it’s words on a page, a storyboard for a picture book or sketches on a screen, storytellers create, entertain and delight. The book ends with the words, ‘What’s your story?’, inviting the reader to also become a storyteller.

The final illustration is of a man with a sword on the back of a fire-breathing dragon. Throughout the book, starting with Henry, the writer, are illustrations – or suggestions of illustrations – of a green dragon. This is another link to each of the creatives who appear in the story.

The attractive illustrations appear to be computer-generated, though Brennan usually works in watercolour.

Vescio is an international award-winning author of children’s picture books with The Storytellers being his most recent. This book would mostly likely most appeal to readers aged 7+ years.

 

Poddy’s Jumper

Poddy’s Jumper by Patricia Bernard, illustrated by Krista Brennan (Cool Dude Books) PB $18 HB $25 RRP ISBN 9780958655385

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

This colourful picture book is one of a kind. It has been inspired by a nation-wide support for sheep farmers. As Marie Knight says in a foreword, orphaned lambs suffered during a 3-year drought, so she began knitting jumpers to keep them warm. Soon she was getting requests from farmers for 100s of jumpers. What followed was amazing: over 170,000 jumpers were knitted Australia-wide and given to farmers.

Poddy’s Jumper celebrates this remarkable feat. Poddy is an orphaned lamb which, with other orphans, is picked up by farmers Marie and Tony and taken to their farmhouse where they are warmed and fed. ‘What he (Poddy) needs is a woolly jumper,’ says Tony. When their friends learn they are knitting woolly jumpers for the lambs, friends ask for a pattern so they can knit, too. (In fact, if you want to knit a lamb jumper, there is a knitting pattern in the book.)

‘Click-clack went the knitting needles all over the country, as the farmer’s friends, and their friends, and their friends’ friends began knitting,’ reads the text. Everyone in Australian and overseas knit jumpers. There are football jumpers, superman jumpers, even ballet jumpers. Soon Marie and Tony’s house is overflowing with jumpers. Thanks to the media, other farmers receive blankets for their lambs. As for Poddy, he appears on television wearing his favourite jumper. The story finishes happily with Poddy dancing as there are rain clouds in the sky… the drought is soon to end.

This is a delightful book, well-written and illustrated with bright, watercolour illustrations and is sure to be appreciated by readers of all ages.

Note: RRP prices are above. Books are available (with postage) from http://www.patriciabernardbooks.com and are offered with a free eBook in another language (French, Italian, Greek, German, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic).

Archie Appleby: The Terrible Case of the Creeps

Archie Appleby: The Terrible Case of the Creeps by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Krista Brennan (Wombat Books) PB  RRP $10.99 ISBN 9781925563016

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

This slim chapter book tells what happens when Archie has to spend two days with his scary Aunt Ruth.  He’s a boy with a vivid imagination who likes making up stories. She’s a keen gardener who knows a lot about poisons and weird plants. Her husband, Uncle Jock, seems to have disappeared.  

Late at night Aunt Ruth takes food down to something in her deep, dark basement. Archie is convinced she is keeping Uncle Jock down there a prisoner and bravely decides to rescue him. After two failed attempts he manages to discover what is really in the basement. Not his uncle --  who arrives fit and well from a fishing trip -- but a monstrous plant, a Venus Flytrap Gigantus. (Shades here of The Little Shop of Horrors, although this plant isn’t a man-eater.)

Luckily everything ends well. Archie and Aunt Ruth are reconciled and he goes home considering the possibility of another visit.

The carefully chosen language, clear print and short sentences make it an easy read. Newly independent readers will enjoy the building sense of suspense and the humorous way Archie misinterprets events.  The book would also be good to read aloud.

Krista Brennan has contributed a number of delicate line-drawings. There is a mismatch, though, between the pictures of Archie smiling mischievously as he enters the basement, and the descriptions in the text of what he felt: ‘his heart pounded,’ and ‘he shuddered at the thought of going to the basement in the dark.’