Waiting for the Night

Waiting for the Night by Julie Thorndyke, illustrated by Anna Seed (IP Kidz) HB RRP $26.00 ISBN: 9781925231519

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘Magic comes at night’ for Australia’s many nocturnal creatures. As dusk falls across the landscape, animals and birds await the cover of darkness before stirring from their slumber. The flying fox clings to the branch, ‘wrapped in soft wings’, while possums are curled up ‘well out of sight’. Torch in hand, a little boy sees the night come to life as eyes twinkle at him from every direction.

Waiting for the Night is a gentle rhyming story for children aged eight and under. With tranquil text that reflects the dreamy nature of the creatures before the sun goes down, this is an ideal book for bedtime reading. Julie Thorndyke beautifully blends real-life observations of Australian native animals and birds with captivating imagery, ensuring that her characters are authentic yet appealing.

Anna Seed’s full-spread colour illustrations support and augment the text admirably. From the olive green of bush foliage and the vibrant red of the Sturt’s desert pea to the stunning oranges streaking across the background at sunset, Anna has expertly captured the unique tones of various Australian environments. Her subtle change in sky colour from image to image as day becomes night is superb, while her renditions of fauna successfully tread the fine line between realism and idealism.

The pairing of simple, rhythmical text and calm illustrations makes this book the perfect choice for reading aloud to youngsters before they go to sleep. As they drift off, children are sure to enjoy pleasant dreams about the countless charming creatures that are ‘waiting for the night’.

Smile Cry: A Beginner’s Book of Feelings

Smile Cry: A Beginner’s Book of Feelings by Tania McCartney, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft (EK Books)

HC RRP $ 19.99

ISBN 9781921966989

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Tania McCartney’s new book, illustrated in soft pastel watercolours and pencil, is a sheer delight. Piglet, bunny and cat are the adorable characters that take us through different feelings and the reasons that children experience them.

Designed to be read from either end, it is a clever format, as children can look at the Cry end for sad feelings, and the Smile side for happy emotions, depending on their state of mind. The two emotions meet in the middle.

Beautifully illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, this book can and will be used as a tool to generate discussion in classrooms and homes about moods and feelings. Designed for the 3+ age, questions will arise about what makes people cry. Is it from disappointment, fear, pain, something lost, the dark, saying goodbye, from sheer joy, regret, or simply a ‘tutu in the wash’?

Then there will be the opposite. What brings a smile to the face? A good book to read in bed on a rainy day, a loving wink, the satisfaction of a good meal, being tickled, enjoying the beauty of nature, laughing, anticipating something you long for, enjoying play, and being with people you love.

The expressions on the characters face speak a thousand words and frequently express more than the text. In this case, the two work in perfect harmony.

This is a picture book to enjoy over and over with a little one that you love. A wonderful stepping stone towards understanding feelings, it is full of smiles and tears, and genuine moments of togetherness will be found between its fantastic covers.