Angus and Mouse Go to Town

Angus and Mouse Go to Town by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton (Scholastic) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781760663155

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Angus is dreading going to town with his mum. However, his friend Mouse has never been shopping and thinks it sounds exciting. Despite Angus warning Mouse that shopping is boring, Mouse insists upon going too. It does not take long until Angus realises that taking an egocentric and energetic youngster shopping can be quite a handful.

Angus and Mouse Go to Town is a picture book with colourful illustrations and anthropomorphic characters that would appeal to an early childhood audience. It is a companion book by the same creators to Angus and Mouse Read a Book.

Angus & Moose Read a Book

Angus & Moose Read a Book by Jane Godwin & Terri Rose Baynton (Scholastic) PB HB RRP $19.99 9781760661557

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Jane Godwin is a highly acclaimed author of many books for children across all styles and ages. She is published internationally and has won numerous awards. Godwin was also a Children’s Publisher at Penguin Books Australia for a long time.

Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new library book to share with Mouse something terrible happens. Can Angus forgive Mouse?

Godwin has written a thoughtful, sweet story that celebrates friendship and reading. The voice is endearing and helps you fall in love with Fergus and Mouse. The opening sentence introduces both characters and shows the depth of their friendship. A long time ago, Mouse found him asleep in a pile of hay in the back garden. The dialogue is character driven and childlike. ‘Mouse will really like this book.’ The librarian Ms Goode calls Angus the wrong name. A child wants to be called by the right name. I like that this is included in the story.

My favourite part of the story is when Angus is challenged the most. ‘Mouse what have you done? You’re not supposed to eat it!’ The story tension increases as Angus tries to solve the problem. Godwin has Angus not wanting to read his library book anymore because the damage will be discovered. A child too often hopes a problem will go away, but it doesn’t. I love the takeaway message that Angus doesn’t let what happened ruin his friendship with Mouse. Forgiveness is an important message.

The illustrations by Baynton are so whimsical and perfect for this type of picture book story. The cover feels warm and tender with Mouse perched cheekily upon the end of Angus’ nose as they both gaze at each other. The soft pastel colour palette suits the characters and the friendship theme. The mix of single- and double-page spreads enhance the text and give the book a more classic picture book feel. I think the characters as animals really strengthens the story. It was clever to make Ms Goode the librarian a flamingo. I love the page where Angus is in bed worrying and Mouse gently has a paw on Angus’ arm. It shows so much more than words can about their friendship.

Angus & Mouse Read a Book is picture book for 3- 8 years about friendship, forgiveness and reading. The endearing characters and strong themes are sure to appeal to parents, teachers, and librarians. This is a book that is sure to be found upon many bookshelves to be visited again and again.

 

Move that Mountain

Move that Mountain by Kate & Jol Temple, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760974275

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Move that Mountain comes from the same creators as the award-winning Room on our Rock. And, like the first volume, this one shows youngsters that there are two sides to every story. When the book is read from beginning to end, the puffins believe that they are too little to help a beached whale get back to the sea. But when the book is read in reverse, the puffins work together to find a way to move that mountainous whale.

With just 90 words, Kate and Jol Temple take children aged three and over on an intriguing journey of self-discovery. Simple text ensures that the themes of determination, teamwork and problem-solving lap gently at readers’ feet like waves upon a seashore, encouraging kids to dive into a world where even the smallest person can make a difference.

Muted blues wash over the pages, giving Terri Rose Baynton’s illustrations a cool fluidity that is calming to the eye. The warmth of action is brought to the fore with the oranges and yellows of the puffins’ beaks, which represent the strength required to bring about change.  

A clever and captivating book that is sure to be read again and again, Move that Mountain will inspire the next generation to fight for what’s right. Physical size doesn’t matter when kindness and compassion swell your soul.

Gwendolyn!

Gwendolyn! by Juliette MacIver and illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton (ABC Books, an imprint of HarperCollins) HBK  RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780733335174

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

Gwendolyn the penguin lives in the jungle and loves the humidity, the glorious flowers and her friends. She spends much of her time encouraging her friends to acknowledge the best of themselves and their surroundings.

So what if Monkey’s bananas are freckled with spots?

In Antarctica, Gwendolyn tells Monkey, penguins often go for days or even weeks without food. Her friend Jaguar says it’s too hot to hunt for food.

Gwendolyn tells Jaguar to look on the bright side – Antarctica is all snow and ice and freezing! At least in the jungle it’s hot and sunshiny.

But when Gwendolyn is asked by Parrot if she has ever been to Antarctica, she realises what she has missed and sets herself on a journey to not only find her way to Antarctica, but to find her own identity.

MacIver deals with themes of friendship and identity within the overriding theme of positivity, which young children will certainly understand and begin to appreciate. The ending is satisfying, with Gwendolyn feeling like a ‘real’ penguin, yet choosing to return to the jungle – her true home.

With detailed illustrations by Terri Rose Baynton, this will be a lovely picture book to share – whether one to one or with a class. It could initiate good discussion about belonging, being positive and proactive – certainly issues to introduce at an early age to promote resilience.

Appropriate for ages 3-6 years.