Worst Week Ever: Wednesday

Worst Week Ever: Wednesday by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove (Scholastic) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781760979058

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

It’s now Day 3 of Justin Chase’s ‘worst week ever’, and things are not getting any better. He’s stuck on a deserted island with his nemesis, Marvin King, his undies are full of sand, and cranky crabs are nipping at his toes. But then he finds a bottle … with a treasure map! After a nerve-jangling jaunt through the Jungle of Doom, and a panicked paddle across the Bay of Blood – pursued by a robotic shark – the boys reach the shimmering Cave of Riches. However, all that glitters is not gold …

Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove have collaborated to create a wild whirl through one very wacky Wednesday. Surprises at every page turn will keep kids aged eight to twelve on the edge of their seats, while humour fuels the fire of nonstop action. The text is cleverly broken up into bite-sized bits and boxes, which will encourage reluctant readers to dive head-first into the dynamic adventure.

Lively and ludicrous, Matt’s black-and-white cartoons complement the energy of the text perfectly and often add another layer of levity to the story. Young readers will spend hours absorbing all of the amusing details and laughing out loud at the bounty of side-splitting speech bubbles that pop out from the images.

A rollicking ride from the first page until the last, Worst Week Ever: Wednesday is sure to be read again and again. Within the pages, kids will discover a gem of truth: you can always overcome a bad situation. But perhaps not a poop-pitching primate …

Llamas in Pyjamas

Llamas in Pyjamas by Matt Cosgrove (Scholastic) HB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781760978457

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

Dharma the Llama is an ace babysitter. But how will she cope with zany twins Tru and Tori? By using stories, of course - and sending herself to sleep at the same time.

Those familiar with Macca the Alpaca, Dharma the Llama, and Cosgrove’s other books will not find anything surprising about Llamas in Pyjamas. It is an enthusiastic rhyming story with cute, enormous-eyed characters (including a cameo from Macca himself) and a warm-hearted ending. There’s a particularly fun vignette passage featuring the titular pyjamas, and kids always enjoy a story where the adult also falls asleep at the end.

Some of the Macca/Dharma stories tend to feel slightly didactic, and this is no exception. There is a very overt message of the power of books - which is a good thing, of course, and in this case isn’t likely to detract from small children’s enjoyment.

Little ones from 3 and Macca the Alpaca fans will have fun with this colourful bedtime book. 

Llamas in Pyjamas

Llamas in Pyjamas by Matt Cosgrove (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 978 1 760978457

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Little Llama twins are notorious for not going to bed, so their tired parents call Dharma Llama, the bedtime extraordinaire babysitter to stop all the bedtime drama. Will she succeed?

Matt Cosgrove is a best-selling children’s author and illustrator who has had big success in children’s books. He understands children and how they see the world. The opening sentences Have you met Dharma? Dharma’s a llama! Engage and hook the reader. The sentences flow smoothly, easily and in rhyme. Humour plays a big role too. Cosgrove sequences the story well and builds the tension and anticipation. First, we meet Dharma and what she likes and loves. She’s the best in the biz- an absolute whiz! Once we know Llama is a babysitter, the story introduces the twins Tru and Tori.  The reader wants to know what will happen when they meet. New vocabulary is in just the right places and meaning is supported. ‘Good luck!’ their parents roar as they race out the door, leaving Dharma to care for the rambunctious pair. Cosgrove’s writing makes every word earn its place. Too chilly. Too frilly. Too baggy and silly! Too sweaty and tight. The text is well balanced with rhyme and rhythm.

Matt Cosgrove’s illustrations are cartoon-like, fun and highly entertaining. The endpapers have a Mexican feel. The patterning with the llamas, flowers and coloured stripes are eye catching and fun. The layout on each spread creates character movement and development. The eyes of the characters are expressive and large and engage the reader. I love the spread with Dharma’s babysitting advertisement on a tree with little tear off pieces at the bottom. It’s like the ones we see in real life. Dharma takes her business calls on her mobile phone and the antics of the twin’s amps up the hullabaloo they create at bedtime. Little sneaky smiles or surprised faces add layers of meaning to the text. I adore the spread with the twins in spotty pyjamas on a bright red background. The cover catches attention with a lilac background and Dharma with the twins sharing a book. It’s an invitation to dive into the book.

Llamas in Pyjamas is a fun read for children aged 3-8 years and one that parents will enjoy too. This book is a great read aloud. The message that reading books at bedtime is the best thing to do before you go to sleep is a winner. Macca the Alpaca picture book series is also created by Matt Cosgrove.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Macca the Backpacker

Macca the Backpacker by Matt Cosgrove (Scholastic Australia) PB HB RRP $24.95 ISBN 978 1 760978464                                   

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Macca is back and this time he is a backpacker who dreams of exploring. One glorious day he sets off on a quest to seek the highest mountain peak. Behind each step in his mind is the support of his crew who with their unique gifts will help him succeed.

 

Matt Cosgrove is on fire with this fun, quirky series. Macca the Backpacker is the eighth book in the Macca series. As Macca explores and seeks adventure, he recognises and values the qualities his friends bring to their friendship.

 

Cosgrove, with simplicity of words and rhyme, has created a rollicking great read aloud book. It cleverly brings in techniques that teach resilience and positive thinking. He uses well known lines that enhance the reading of the story for both the adult and child reader. He sang, ‘The hills are alive…’ The quality of this book is sure to make it a hit. Not only is it fun but it shows Macca’s development as a character. Another smart technique is the use of bold print for certain words throughout the story to emphasise their meaning and importance. The page turns entice the reader to the next page. Soon enough the going got tough. Matt leaves us all guessing what the next book in the Macca series might be.

 

The book’s illustrations are full of character movement and expression that support the text beautifully. Cosgrove is a master at visual storytelling, and much like a movie strip, we follow Macca along on his quest. I loved how Cosgrove drew each friend as an outline when Macca was thinking about them to help him on his climb. They were a visual representation of mind-speaking. The use of bright and happy colours is perfect for this sort of book and the selfie shots are on trend and relatable. The endpapers clearly show that Macca’s quest is to climb a mountain and the patterning is very effective. This book could well become the new Macca favourite of many.

 

Macca the Backpacker is a picture book that is perfect for readers aged 4-8 years; it appeals not only to kids, but parents, too. This book is easy to read aloud, engaging, and has layers of meaning but most of all it is fun. Macca has become a friend to many child readers, and they will delight in sharing his new adventure with him.

Macca and Al, Super Pals

Macca and Al, Super Pals by Matt Cosgrove (Koala Books) HB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781760970246

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Macca and Al, Super Pals is the seventh book in the Macca the Alpaca picture book series. What can I say, other than these books are universally adored by children? They are clever and funny with catchy rhyming texts, wonderfully quirky illustrations, and a cast of intriguing characters.  

In Macca and Al, Super Pals, Macca and Al take their love for comic books and superheroes to the next level: they decide to become superheroes. Their antics are gut-wrenchingly funny for both children and adults. I read this book to a class of kindergarten and year one students. They were literally rolling on the floor with laughter, particularly when the scenes involved underpants. I also read the book to my eighty-year-old mother who was laughing so hard she was crying and nearly wet her pants. 

This series of picture books is one of my favourites and Macca and Al, Super Pals does not disappoint. This book is light and funny and will be loved and re-read by children of all ages. I definitely recommend this book!