Hello World

Hello World by Lisa Shanahan, illustrated by Leila Rudge (HarperCollins) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780733340826

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

Join a toddler as she greets a new day and all the wondrous people, places, and phenomena in her world. A simple rhyming text takes us through the day, focusing on the mundane and the abstract in turn, from a hat and a hose to beloved family members and the changing weather.

From hanging clothes to picking up siblings and sharing a game of hide and seek, the joy of the day-to-day is brought to life. The pencil and watercolour illustrations are colourful but gentle, and the family members each have an impressively well-developed sense of character. That sense of unique personality perhaps doesn’t come through as strongly with the central little girl, who is shown doing all the typical toddler things like banging on pots and pans, dressing up and playing in the garden.

A multiracial household lends a sprinkle of diversity to what is otherwise a stereotypical Aussie suburban setting, one that many little people will be able to relate to in the context of their own day. This is the type of book that under-3s ask for again and again and will bring a warm ray of sunshine to any bedtime routine.

The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler

The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler by Lisa Shanahan (Allen and Unwin) PB RRP $14.9   ISBN 9781760293017

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

Henry Hoobler’s mother suggests he make a little room for his worries by acknowledging them. Henry can’t help but wonder, though …‘Couldn’t he be good at making a tiny bit of room for the worry, without giving it the whole house?’

This heartwarming story is about an anxious boy called Henry, aged 8 or 9, whose worries often prevent him from enjoying himself. The upcoming family camping trip at the beach, for instance, terrifies him. Then he makes a friend who shows him what life can be like when you’re open to adventure, and he winds up having a very different summer to the one he expected.

By the end of the summer, Henry will have learnt how to work through some of his niggling anxieties and fears. He’ll realise that oceans don’t always bring tsunamis, that camping trips don’t necessarily include snakebites and that stingrays (barbless ones named Heathcliff, anyway) can be friendly. He’ll learn about self-confidence, especially in the face of older siblings. He’ll learn how to stand up to people who tease him … and forgive them. He will set out on a daring, nightly expedition to rescue a toy pony. He’ll meet a bold, adventurous girl – Cassie – who’ll inadvertently motivate him to find his courage. And he’ll not only learn to ride his bike without training wheels, he will ride it like she does – freely and fearlessly. No wonder it’s a grand, genius summer!

Lisa Shanahan, the award-winning writer of My Big Birkett, has created a touching novel that will appeal to readers aged 7–11 years. Henry’s family members and their camping holiday dynamics are so believable that it might feel as though you’re observing them all from a neighbouring tent! Their alternating feelings of frustration, sadness and support for Henry’s emotions are very realistic. I particularly liked the way Henry’s anxieties crept up on him, rather than being the central focus of every scene. 

The book covers themes of family relationships, friendships and anxieties. By the end of the story, armed with a new friend, a powerful bike and a firm sense of adventure, Henry adopts Cassie’s philosophy in life: ‘the best things always happen on the way to somewhere else.’ 

The Whole Caboodle

The Whole Caboodle by Lisa Shanahan, illustrated by Leila Rudge (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-932-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The Whole Caboodle is a delightfully refreshing and surprising counting book. Using lyrical language with a rhythm which rolls exquisitely off the tongue this is a book begging to be read aloud over and over again.

 ‘Seven racey-chasey Giant Schnoodles?

 Eight snuggly-juggly Bassetoodles?’

There are dogs to be found on every page. Children will love listening to the silly words which fit these dogs beautifully and have fun spotting dogs in unlikely places. The simple concept of a dog walk has been transformed into so much more in such a wonderfully clever way, through both text and illustrations.

Each colourful page hides the dogs described. But not in a busy bustling way, or in a ‘search the page carefully’ way. Rather in obvious and fitting way – dog shaped clouds, or dogs instead of horses on a merry-go-round (the racey-chasey ones).

These illustrations are soft and playful with the happiness and love of dogs shining through, right to the very last (wordless) page. A stumbly-jumbly one.

This picture book is fabulous for pre-school readers, especially lovers of dogs and bubbly language.

Daisy and the Puppy

Daisy and the Puppy by Lisa Shanahan, illustrated by Sarah Acton (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-051-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Daisy is the oldest child in a large family and the thing she wants the most in the world is a puppy. But how can she convince her parents that a dog would be a good thing for the family? She washes the neighbourhood dogs, sleeps in a basket and howls at passing fire engines. But after gazing at the animals in the pet shop, she still leaves empty handed.

Daisy and the Puppy is a beautiful story about family. Although not written in rhyme it is rhythmically poetic. ‘Lark loves the sucking catfish, with their fins like floating veils.’ The dialogue is natural and reading this story aloud the words roll off the tongue with ease. ‘You don’t need one,’ says Dad. ‘Not when you can rumble and tumble with Ruby, Lark and Jube!’

The illustrations are wonderfully messy, sometimes running off the page, creating movement and life. It is through these pictures that you get a true sense of the warmth, love and togetherness of the family.

Bear and Chook by the same author is a picture book I have always loved. There is something delightful about the way these two characters embrace the world. Daisy and her family are enchanting in a similar way with their earthiness and uncomplicated happiness.

Daisy and the Puppy is a heart-warming story for three year olds and up, especially for any young child longing for a puppy of their own.