My Mummy is a Unicorn

My Mummy is a Unicorn by Laine Mitchell, illustrated by Kim Fleming (Scholastic) HB RRP $18.99 ISBN: 9781761204630

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

When a child views their mother with eyes of wonder, the mum becomes a unicorn, a mermaid, a dragon and even a robot. She’s ‘a mighty queen with twenty golden rings,’ and a ballerina ‘dancing circles in the light’. Although the child knows in their heart that their mum is not really any of these things, they truly believe that ‘her magic’s still the best’.

Kids aged three to six will adore Laine Mitchell’s delightful rhyming story, and they’ll enjoy exploring all the fabulous facets of the mother’s character – some of which they’re sure to recognise in their own mum. A unique warmth emanates from the book, as imagination and love prance together across the pages.

Kim Fleming’s vibrant illustrations burst from the spreads and sweep the young reader along in a torrent of hues and movement. Joining the child on the ride is a tiny mouse – littlies will have fun seeking out this purple pal on every page. Kim presents the protagonist as a person of colour, which is a refreshingly inclusive choice.

A sparkling rainbow of rich tints and rhyming text, My Mummy is a Unicorn offers a playful and positive read-aloud experience. It is perfect for sharing, especially on Mother’s Day.

Mummy, You're Special to Me

Mummy, You're Special to Me by Laine Mitchell, illustrated by Kim Fleming (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74283- 981-3

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Mummy, You're Special To Me is a sweet picture book celebrating the strengths and skills of mothers and their special relationships with their children.

Told in verse, the story begins and ends with baby giraffe and his mother. In between, a range of other animals enjoy time with their mums. Turtle Mummy builds excellent sand castles and knows about waves. Monkey Mummy paints pictures and climbs trees and Mummy Kangaroo tucks Joey in tight and tells stories just right.

The illustrations glow. They are lively and luminous. They exude the happiness and light playful atmosphere portrayed in the text. The animals are sweet and in their own environments and if you look closely you will see that Baby Giraffe follows the story too, appearing in the background every page.

While the text is a little awkward to read in places (words forced to make the rhyme work) the comfortable, cosy mother/child relationships portrayed make this easy to overlook. The refrain Mummy, you're special to me is used every page and this repetition adds even more rhythm to the story. Also the skills these mothers possess are relatable for young children - story telling, kindness, jokes, wisdom, encouragement and humour to name a few.

With it's beautiful illustrations and sweet sentiment, this book is a lovely one for pre-schoolers to share with family, especially Mum.

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt [with CD] by Laine Mitchell, illustrated by Louis Shea (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74362– 041-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

       We’re going on an egg hunt!

       We’re going to find the biggest one!

       I can’t wait!

      Chocolate for you and me!

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt is Mitchell’s Easter interpretation of the very popular We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s nearly Easter and like almost everyone else, the five friends in this vibrant picture book are off to find hidden Easter eggs in their adventurous egg hunt.

Young children will love to join these cute animals as they search for the biggest eggs in exciting places. As in the original hunt they face many dangers, obstacles they must negotiate such as a wild turnabout maze, and a garden with pretty buzzing flowers! Will they go over, under or through?

Shea’s instantly recognisable illustrations are bright, colourful and playful. They are full of cute animals and cheeky detail – check out the chicks hatching in the birds nest, one of them is not a chick! See if you can find the Easter Bunny and eggs hidden in the pages.

Accompanying the book is a CD recording of the song. Children can sing along with lively, funny and popular entertainer Jay Laga’aia. His voice is instantly known and loved by preschool children (and older)) and this Easter reinvention has simple catchy lyrics.

This can be read, re-read, chanted, acted out and listened to over and over again.

We’re Going on a Croc Hunt

We’re Going on a Croc Hunt by Laine Mitchell, illustrated by Louis Shea (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283– 248-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

We’re Going on a Croc Hunt is a reinvention of a familiar catchy rhyme and has a strong Australian flavour.


The rhythmic refrain:

                                              We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. 
                                                      We’ll have to go through it!

is unaltered, but the obstacles have been cleverly changed to reflect the Australian landscape. Waterholes, hot trickly sand, and spiky brown scrub now bar the way for the adventurous heroes.

I love Louis Shea’s bright, bold and comic style of illustration. He has a talent for animals – these are so full of expression and character that you feel you know them already as the string of six brave friends set off in search of a croc. They take turns to the lead and as they travel further into the adventure, some of the friends drop off, unable to get through an obstacle.

There is so much to look at in the illustrations. What happens on the periphery of the action is fun too. Yabbies are nipping at the devil’s toes, lizards are frying insects on a hot rock in the desert and I love the luminescent frogs in the swamp. The stunned expression on the face of a firefly as a fat frog sleepily shoots out his tongue and wraps it around the poor insects body is fabulous. And all the time the heroes are going ‘sneaky, sneak, sneaky, sneak’ through the dark, spooky swamp.
The last line of the story is a wonderful surprise.

Play the included CD and sing along with children’s entertainer Jay Laga’aia, in a humorous and lively version of this well-known song. This can be read, re-read, chanted, acted out and listened to over and over again. For pre-school aged children.