Windy Washing Day

Windy Washing Day by Yvonne Low, illustrated by Kate Talbot (MidnightSun Publishing 2025) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781922858672 

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes

It's a dry, sunny day and perfect for hanging out the laundry.

But what happens when an unexpected wind pulls the washing off the line and carries it next door - to the zoo!

Will the animals give up their newfound clothes, and can all the washing be returned safely?

Yvonne Low's Windy Washing Day is a delightfully absurd and energetic tale about a gust of wind, snapping pegs, and washing that goes astray! It has been written in a fun-to-read-out-loud rhyming text and has a constantly shifting (dancing) rhythm - with an occasionally off-kilter metre - which made me imagine that it too had got swept up into the wind! 

The responsible and concerned young child (the narrator of this story) who valiantly goes after Mum's washing, is like a little (unsung) hero. This child, along with the family dog, makes use of some towels caught in a puff of wind and parachute over the fence into the zoo in pursuit of the washing - determined to recover and return it back home. No matter what.

The animals delight in the 'runaway' washing and preen and parade about in their new attire. However, when more animals arrive to find that they've missed out - because there aren't enough items to go around - a tug-of-war begins!

The animals were chasing one another high and low.

There was trouble, there was chaos, there was nowhere safe to go. 

Then just as the retrieval of the washing seems doomed, the young child, with the help of Wise Monkey, Pelican and Toucan, return the washing home again. 

I must admit to giggling at the part where mum discovers her completely dishevelled washing and the poor old family dog takes the blame - all because of her 'guilty' expression! 

(It reminded me of a dog I once knew - who assumed this look of guilt whenever anything went wrong in the household - guilty or not!)  

Kate Talbot's bright and lively illustrations, bounce along with the text. Kids will adore seeing the hilarious assortment of animals trying on and scrapping over the washing items. 

The end papers are gorgeous. Lush jungle-like settings with the eyes of various animals peeping out through the foliage - which children will enjoy pointing out and identifying.

This entertaining and adventuresome picture book neatly concludes with some sage advice for future windy washing days! Suitable for children aged 3 – 8 years.

 

Lola and Grandpa

Yvonne Low’s debut picture book, Lola and Grandpa, written by Ashling Kwok and published by Little Pink Dog Books is being released on 5 May 2020.  

Lola and Grandpa is the story of a young girl and the tender, loving relationship she shares with her grandpa. When Lola’s grandpa passes away, she struggles to cope. However, as time passes Lola starts to remember all the special times they shared. She can see her grandpa reflected in all the things around her and realises that even though he is no longer physically with her, they will always remain connected.

The Fastest Ship in Space

Today’s illustration is by Yvonne Low from a book she illustrated, The Fastest Ship in Space by Pamela Freeman (Second Look Publishing, an imprint of Christmas Press, 2018).

The Fastest Ship In Space

The Fastest Ship In Space by Pamela Freeman and illustrations by Yvonne Low (Second Look) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN 978-0-994528063

Reviewed by Stacey Gladman

What young boy or girl doesn't dream about what it would be like to live in space? Well with Pamela Freeman's The Fastest Ship In Space, imagination is only a turn of a page away, and what an adventure it is!

The Fastest Ship in Space is a space adventure for young readers which follows brother and sister duo - Katie and Sam -- who live on a space station. A chance encounter with a meteorite sees part of their ship damaged which requires a docking at Space Station for repairs.

The pair's gran, who also lives with them aboard the space ship, thinks the accident was too close for comfort and wants to return to live with her daughter on Earth: the family drama begins when she also suggests Katie and Sam may be safer with her.

Gran decides to make a break for earth unbeknown to Katie and Sam's parents while at home station. Unfortunately for them, they find themselves aboard a ship destined for earth with smugglers, thanks to Gran's connections.

Will they make it safely to earth, and will they want to return to space again? Young readers will have fun figuring out the answers to these questions. The Fastest Ship in Space is a fun and adventure-filled story, with space pirates, smugglers and spaceships.

Boys and girls alike will enjoy this story, which is fast-paced and action-packed. The images throughout the book add to the story, helping to break up chapters and getting readers involved in the story.