Tomorrow Girl A Tale of Mindfulness

Tomorrow Girl A Tale of Mindfulness written by Vikki Conley, illustrated by Penelope Pratley (EK Books) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 978 1 925820362

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Vikki Conley, captures being mindful in a quirky and wondrous way. Meet Tomorrow, a girl who is always in a hurry. She just might miss out on something. It’s not until Tomorrow trips over Yesterday that Tomorrow starts to slow down. It is poignantly clear Yesterday is stuck in the past. Then Tomorrow bumps into Today. She wonders why Today is standing there doing nothing. But is this really true? Tomorrow does slow down with Today and realises that she is missing out on things. And now her days are just that little bit slower.    

 

This is a picture book that is both current and topical. Its title captures the essence of the book and will command attention from a bookshelf. The natural dialogue and short sentences move the story along with haste as we travel along with Tomorrow. The questioning and answering allows the messages of the book to be told easily and simply. Vicki uses verbs to great effect and she captures the innocence of a child’s world. The ellipsis at the end of the story intentionally slows the character and the reader naturally down to bring mindfulness into play in the story.

 

Penelope Pratley starts this story with a mindful sky and clouds on the endpapers. Her realistic drawings and watercolours show the natural movement and speed of Tomorrow as she travels through the story. The body language of all the characters mirrors their personalities. The double page spreads with varying perspectives match the movement and flow of the story and its messages. I particularly love the double page spread of Today and Tomorrow with the creek, grass, and tadpole catching: it brings a smile.

 

Tomorrow Girl A Tale of Mindfulness is a picture book with a timely message that’s for 3-8 years. This is a book that can be used as a tool for both parents and teachers. Tomorrow Girl A Tale of Mindfulness will gently encourage children to slow down and find magic in their everyday. It is a clever and sophisticated picture book.

The Lost Moustache

The Lost Moustache by Vikki Conley and Caterina Metti (Red Paper Kite Publishing) PB HB RRP $26.99  ISBN 978 0 674207

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

The Lost Moustache is a quirky, fun-filled picture book, as it entices the reader to join Frankie as she tries to find the rightful owner of a moustache.

The text is delightful, engaging, and reads aloud super well. The vocabulary extends the readers and their understanding of theatre and story. I particularly love the dress-up fun and imaginative play on each spread. The structure of questioning and answering works perfectly for this story. Child readers really do enjoy this type of structure. The storyline hooks the reader into wanting to know who really does own the moustache. This is revealed at the end of the story. Vikki puts alliteration and rhyme to great use, and this makes the story highly enjoyable.

The detailed illustrations dance with the words beautifully and take imaginative play to another level. The use of perspective adds to the theatre of the story, and multiple characters add movement and drama. I particularly love the use of a large shadow depicting a wild animal as a frightened character runs away. The unspoken interaction between the characters adds multiple layers of meaning. The illustrator’s use of rich hues enhances the setting and works well with her quirky style. The black and white spreads at the end of the book allow the reader to create and play for themselves.

The Lost Moustache is much more than a mystery as this unique book allows for such fun interaction with the reader. This is a picture book that suits a home, school, or library bookshelf. It is the type of book that a child will want to read again and again. It is suitable for ages 3 years plus.

Ella & Mrs Gooseberry

Ella & Mrs Gooseberry by Vikki Conley, illustrated by Penelope Pratley (EK Books) RRP HB $24.99  ISBN 9781925335255

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ella is a little girl equally observant and inquisitive in the most beautiful ways. She lives next door to an elderly lady, Mrs Gooseberry, who lives on her own. Ella notices that Mrs Gooseberry is quite grumpy and dismissive when in her front yard. However, when Ella sees Mrs Gooseberry through her bedroom window, she notices that she seems happy in her backyard with her veggie garden and chickens. When Ella questions her mother about the change of moods, her mother points out that Mrs Gooseberry gets sad and lonely and has lost her love.

Ella is puzzled by the idea that you can lose love and sets out on a mission to find out what love actually is. She seeks answers from some grown-ups including her mother, grandmother, school teacher and dance instructor. They each describe love in different but equally eloquent ways. Ella contemplates their responses and observes her environment. She then comes up with an idea that just might bring love back to Mrs Gooseberry.

Ella & Mrs Gooseberry would be a great inclusion in the primary classroom to spark conversation about kindness and compassion. The book would also be beneficial during literacy lessons, providing great examples on the use of figurative language to convey feelings and ideas.

Ella & Mrs Gooseberry is a beautifully emotive picture book that is sure to leave your heart happy. The pencil and watercolour illustrations are gorgeous and the soft colour palette complements the gentle story well. The book has themes of loneliness, compassion, loss, love and kindness and is highly recommended for children aged 4-8 years old.