We’re Going on an Egg Hunt

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt [with CD] by Laine Mitchell, illustrated by Louis Shea (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74362– 041-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

       We’re going on an egg hunt!

       We’re going to find the biggest one!

       I can’t wait!

      Chocolate for you and me!

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt is Mitchell’s Easter interpretation of the very popular We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s nearly Easter and like almost everyone else, the five friends in this vibrant picture book are off to find hidden Easter eggs in their adventurous egg hunt.

Young children will love to join these cute animals as they search for the biggest eggs in exciting places. As in the original hunt they face many dangers, obstacles they must negotiate such as a wild turnabout maze, and a garden with pretty buzzing flowers! Will they go over, under or through?

Shea’s instantly recognisable illustrations are bright, colourful and playful. They are full of cute animals and cheeky detail – check out the chicks hatching in the birds nest, one of them is not a chick! See if you can find the Easter Bunny and eggs hidden in the pages.

Accompanying the book is a CD recording of the song. Children can sing along with lively, funny and popular entertainer Jay Laga’aia. His voice is instantly known and loved by preschool children (and older)) and this Easter reinvention has simple catchy lyrics.

This can be read, re-read, chanted, acted out and listened to over and over again.

My Daddy Ate an Apple

My Daddy Ate an Apple [with CD] by Craig Smith, illustrated by Scott Tulloch (Scholastic NZ)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-77543-200-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

There’s a classic joke that was a favourite in our house for some time. What is worse than finding a worm in your apple? A: Finding half a worm.

This very silly book (good silly) explores exactly this idea. When Zebra’s daddy eats an apple he accidently eats a worm as well. And the consequences are not too good for poor Daddy.

Kids are going to love the funny story, sing-song lyrics, and fabulous illustrations which enhance the humour. The worm - it was a fuzzy one, a buzzy one, a great big fat juicy one –also stars in many of the pictures and has as big a personality as the daddy zebra. The picture of the worm hanging on to Daddy’s tonsils before being swallowed is very funny. I also love the trip to hospital on the elephant ambulance, and the nurses (monkeys) taking Daddy’s x-ray, and ... I could go on. The illustrations are delightful.

The words fit cleverly into a well-known tune and kids are going to love how Daddy’s stomach ache is resolved. Craig Smith plays the guitar and sings the song on the accompanying CD and will keep young children happily entertained and engaged. Smith is also the author of the wildly silly and very popular The Wonky Donkey.  

She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain

She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain [with CD] sung by The Topp Twins, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic NZ)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-77543-172-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

This is a fun song, sung with great enjoyment and gusto by The Topp Twins on the CD which comes with She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain. Most young children will have fun with the beat and country twang and the repetitive nature of the song makes it easy for kids to learn and sing along to.

Much of the fun of this book also comes from the illustrations and the antics of the animals who are anticipating her arrival- a very cheeky looking girl with bright red curls and blue striped pyjamas. Jenny Cooper has illustrated two other Topp Twin recordings – Do Your Ears Hang Low? and There’s a Hole in My Bucket – and brings the same lively amusement to She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain as she has to these previous picture books.

Preschool children are going to be saying ‘Read it again, Mum’ and ‘Play it again, Mum’ many times over.

Baby Elephant Walk

Baby Elephant Walk [with CD] by Hal David and Henry Mancini, illustrations by Rhiannon Mowat (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-418-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Baby Elephant Walk is a vibrant and happy picture book version of a well known song by Hal David and Henry Mancini. Composed in 1961, Baby Elephant Walk is still widely used. Mancini’s tune is an addictive and catchy one which Mowat captures with lively illustrations that seem to move to this musical beat, in sync with the lyrics.


Make believe you’re in a jungle movie
See the baby elephants go by 
The beat is groovy
It’s a brand new dance you ought to try.

The animals that dance through this book are energetic and charismatic, portrayed in an environment of gentle, soft colours and lush jungle life. This will appeal enormously to young children.

The accompanying CD features the fabulous and instantly recognisable voice of Jay Laga’aina who brings a magical energy to all he sings. I’m sure it will have all listeners joining in, and humming the tune well after the book has been closed.

Join the conga line and dance your way through jungle with these sweet and rhythmic animals in Baby Elephant Walk.