Zoo Train

Zoo Train by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Daron Parton (Walker Books)

HC RRP $ 24.95

ISBN 9781922179876

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This is a humorous rhyming and rhythmic sing-song tale of a trip through the zoo on a train. The family has brought a picnic lunch with popcorn, juice, and cake. It’s a cold day but that doesn’t matter. Everyone is rugged up.

It’s all so exciting passing through the different areas, seeing all the big animals in their environment. The train goes past a monkey’s cage being cleaned out by the keepers. Have they shut the cage door properly?

Water falls on the boy’s head. His ears are cold. It seems to be snowing but only on him.  Why if he’s wearing a hat?  They have reached their destination and everyone gets out. His pants seem too big. They won’t stay up. What’s going on?

It’s time for a snack. The lunch bag is empty! The food is not the only thing missing. They go back the way they came in search of the missing items. The animals are enjoying the picnic lunch, wearing the boy’s hat, scarf and belt. Who and where is the culprit?

This simply has to be read aloud. The sounds and rhythm move to a musical beat. The illustrations in mixed media are striking and the characters’ expressions speak for themselves. Young readers will love listening to this, while following the pictures and guessing who the guilty animal is. There is so much to see on every page. It’s a visual feast ideal for readers 3+ years.

 

Farmer John's Tractor

 Farmer John's Tractor by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Walker Books Australia)
HB RRP $27.95
ISBN 9781921150944
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

What an absolute delight this book is. It will enthral all young children, boys and girls, with its array of machines coming to the rescue of two little girls, their parents and a VW beetle trapped in rising flood waters. A jeep, tow truck and fire engine all do their best but fail. The day is saved by Farmer John's tractor which "lies locked in the shed, rusty yet trusty and orangey-red".

Reading aloud is a pleasure with Sally Sutton's text displaying perfect rhyme and rhythm. Drama in the story escalates on each page until the final satisfying and comforting resolution.

Robyn Belton's illustrations in pencil and watercolour fill the pages with soft colour and movement. Large double spreads expand upon and extend the text. High production quality including quirky endpapers with chooks and tractors make this book a delight to own and share. Highly recommended.

Demolition

Demolition by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books Australia)

HB RRP $27.95

ISBN 978-1-921529-26-9

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Well done to Sutton for realising how many onomatopoeic sound attributes and verbs there are that children will readily associate with demolition and building. With a cry to grab your gear, readers are immediately with the workers and on task at the demolition site. I confess, though, I was hooked the moment I lay eyes on the end papers. The creators of the prize-winning Roadworks have surely conjured up another winner.

Lovelock’s illustrations immerse readers in tradespeople, safety equipment, machinery and signs that very young children will recognise immediately. Not only does the story show demolition, it shows recycling components of building operations; Crush the stone. Crush the stone. Chip and grind and munch. Make new concrete from the old. Whirr! CHURR! CRUNCH!  The old is demolished, disassembled, recycled, and removed to clear land.

Using dozens of verbs and sounds, the book presents a full story of the process involved in demolition and building. Each delivery of three words is formed in print where the first word is big and bold, the next bigger and bolder still, and the last is gigantic. Clever use of colour captures the landscape of demolition, clearing land and recycling. Once cleared and ready, construction begins. With it returns colour and life beyond demolition and construction.

As is true in our world, the building stage takes far less time than the preparation. No sooner does it begin than a new playground awaits and it’s three cheers for a job well done. Readers can see families enjoying the playground, an oasis of fun nestled below the cityscape with its permanent haze hovering in the background. A pictorial glossary at the book’s end ensures readers can really learn about the role each machine plays. Demolition is a superb production and sure to be read again and again.