Patch and Ruby

Patch and Ruby by Anouska Jones and Gwynneth Jones (EK Books) PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-925335-22-4

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

This is the story of a lonely pony Patch, who has farmyard friends in all sorts of places but still doesn’t feel quite ‘right.’ This delightful tale covers enormous terrain although it’s confined to a small geographic locale.

‘Patch was lonely. It wasn’t that he didn’t have friends. He did. But sometimes he felt like he didn’t quite fit in.’

A beautifully crafted story, Patch and Ruby touches on the universal themes of friendship and needing to belong. It shows us how Patch spends his days on the farm, highlighting his ‘difference’ and the clever ways in which he tries to deal with this. Through a wonderful melding of words and pictures, young children will immediately see and identify with his challenge to fit in.

When Patch’s special (human) girl Sam has a BIG idea, his life changes in an amazing way. 

It’s hard to describe quite how much I love both the words and illustrated characters in this story. I can’t recall ever having seen a ladybird with such attitude. Gwynneth Jones’ soft paintings are simple, fresh and surprising. Beryl and the girls (chooks) hold a special place in my heart.

All children will at some point feel that they don’t quite belong – at school, at home or in the community - and the story of Patch and Ruby makes such ‘not quite belonging’ okay.

This book is simply a ‘must read’ for everyone!

Also available as one of three books in the Sugar and Spice Collection is a beautifully presented boxed set.

Spider Iggy

Spider Iggy written by Aleesah Darlison and illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder (Wombat Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-925139-33-4

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

No one ever seems to notice Spider Iggy.  He tries to be noticed and make friends but with no success.  All the while, he dreams of a place filled with colour and light and spiders like him.  Determined to leave his old life behind, he sets off on an adventure to find a place where he fits in.  To find a place he can call home.

Spider Iggy is the latest picture book by award-winning Australian author Aleesah Darlison.  It is a lovely book that encompasses themes of acceptance, belonging and bravery. 

We meet Spider Iggy as he attempts to engage with and befriend those around him.  Despite all his best efforts he is routinely shunned which makes him unhappy - a situation that many young children can relate to.  It is this that drives him to find a place where he belongs; friends that accept him; to follow his dreams.

It’s this message that I particularly love: Spider Iggy remains true to himself and goes in search of where he belongs, rather than change himself in order to be accepted.  It is not an easy journey as he faces many dangers as well as people and creatures that reject him on sight.  He does not give up, and listens as the wind whispers, ‘Be brave’.  This is a great message for young children as they learn how to be a part of the world around them: be who you are, be brave.

Spider Iggy is brought to life by the artwork of Sarah Jane Hinder.  Each full-page illustration is bold and playful.  There is an upbeat quality that lends itself well to the positive message of the story.

Aleesah Darlison is an award-winning author who has published over twenty picture books and novels for children of all ages.  Her stories cover such themes as courage, anti-bullying, friendship and self-belief.  When she isn’t writing she’s looking after her four children or taking her dog, Floyd, for long walks on the beach.  She can be found online at: http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/

Lara of Newtown

Lara of Newtown by Chris McKimmie (Allen & Unwin 2015)
HB RRP $29.99
ISBN: 9781760112325

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Lara of Newtown is a strikingly quirky picture book about a cat trying to find a forever home. Not just any cat, but a beautifully unique, hand-drawn cat in a unique, hand-drawn town.

The first time I read this story I found it so sad, and it is in many ways. Upon a second and third read though, it struck me that this is a story of hope. McKimmie doesn’t pull any punches in conveying the cat’s abandonment. Her loneliness and desire to be loved is palpable. Things might not work out with Nana Banana or Noni Nice, but McKimmie’s endearing feline protagonist ultimately finds her happy place with the eccentric Kafoopses. She is happy as Larry, or Lara, as named by her forever family.

McKimmie tackles themes of identity, belonging and love in such a fresh and imaginative way. His bustling collages and array of erratic font choices can be overwhelming, but hidden elements of humour help to soften the harsh reality of Lara’s situation.

As this story has the potential to evoke many questions and feelings from younger children, and there are many references within the collages with adult appeal, it is a good one to read together. It will leave everyone feeling safe and warm like the lovely Lara, who thinks she is a ‘lucky boots’.

Little Owl

Little Owl by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Sandy Okalyi (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504587

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Whoooo? Whoooo? Whoooo am I? asks Little Owl.

He has fallen from his nest and when he opens his eyes all he wants to know is who he is. He nibbles on a blossom like a sugar glider, hangs upside down like a bat, stretches out his neck like an emu and even puffs himself up like a spiky echidna…but he’s none of these animals. Eventually he hears an answering Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! in the night and is reunited with his mother.

This is a very cute book about identity and trying to belong. Little Owl tries so very hard but in the end learns who he really is…an owl.

The illustrations are bright, colourful and have a great sense of humour, adding a fun element to what could have been a traumatic story of a small, lost child.  

Okalyi’s ability to get personality into Little Owl is remarkable, and the way she morphs the owl almost, but not quite, into the animals he tries to become is very comical. I love his attempt at becoming an emu, very amusing.

This is an enjoyable story with simple repetitive language that looks at identity, belonging and being who you are. Ideal for pre-schoolers.

Darth

 Darth by Julieann Wallace, illustrated by Claire and Julieann Wallace (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9780980723786

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

This book, for children aged 6-9, opens with a ‘missing poster’ about Darth, baby of the family who lives in ’Row J, Tank 3, Captain Hook’s Fish ’r’ Us’. Suspicious circumstance of being last seen with a net, plastic bag of water and rubber band lurking by sets the scene for the actual story that follows. The story tells how, while playing with his friends, Darth is captured.

The story immediately has Darth being dive bombed into an unfamiliar world. He is, however, quickly taken in by the new surrounds, ‘Cool! This is a groovy kind of place!’  This soon changes when he meets a local gang who tell him he does not belong, because he is different. He can’t understand ‘how the fish could hate him when they didn’t know him. It wasn’t fair.’

In his memory, Mum’s voice says, ‘Use the power of kindness! Be kind, smile! Play some games.’  Darth seeks out the gang. When they tell him to go away he asks why they think he is different. They try to leave but Darth blocks their way forcing them to reveal that it’s his double tail they dislike. Being single-tailed means they swim slower. Slyly, they invite him to the sunken ship at midnight. Darth doesn’t want to go. It’s scary and unsafe, but he does go.

Once there, Darth reveals a toy which the others find fun and they all play nicely. The next day Darth meets them, saying, ‘Let’s go to the bubblespa. I know a fun game. Be there or be square!’  The gang happily follows. While playing, ‘Darth realised something amazing. If you give out happiness, it comes right back to you.’  Suddenly, Darth’s whole family are plunged into the tank.

Turning the page reveals a poster announcing Darth has been found and the page directly opposite, titled ‘The Bag of Happiness’  includes Darth’s tips about what readers can do to feel happy inside. Vivid watercolour illustrations excellently capture character and their emotions in each scene, giving readers much to peruse, enjoy and discuss, over and again.