Hooray for Birds!

Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780763692650

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Beautiful birds in exuberant colours take centre stage in this fun-filled book by Maisy creator Lucy Cousins.

Hooray for Birds! is a beautiful, interactive book that encourages young children to flap their wings, swoop through the sky, and tweet and sing like a bird. Children are invited to go wild and have fun as they imagine the kinds of adventures they could go on if they were busy little birds.

This clever book provides children with the opportunity to learn about our feathered friends in an enjoyable way. Although the animals are not named, the description that accompanies each picture allows readers to guess the type of bird featured. This gives parents a chance to interact with their children and teach them about these amazing creatures.

This book is a masterpiece in layout and design. The cover is incredibly appealing with its bright, bold colours and the illustrations are simply divine. The large pages and font will appeal to young children. It is recommended for readers aged 2 years and over.

Hooray for Birds! takes children on an exciting, entertaining journey that ends at night when it is time for everyone to get some sleep. It makes this book a great bedtime read as it not only encourages children to use their imaginations but to also get a good night’s sleep.

Let’s Play!

Let’s Play! by Hervé Tullet (Allen & Unwin 2016)
HB RRP $22.99
ISBN: 9781760292980

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Let’s Play! is not only a fun title, but offers an enticing invitation to pick up Hervé Tullet’s latest picture book and discover more. 

It strikes me that you don’t just read a Tullet creation, you become part of one. In this case, you quickly become yellow dot’s playmate and travelling companion as it overcomes its boredom while travelling across 30 unique double page spreads with boundless energy. With your help, yellow dot conquers lines and squiggles, invents games and finds unexpected ways to tackle spooky or unpredictable situations.

Tullet creates a uniquely collaborative play experience that’s packed with fun and humour. Primary colours pop from white pages, and the sense of constant motion that Tullet creates helps yellow dot bounce all the way through to the completion of its journey.

It’s no surprise to me that Tullet’s picture book, Press Here, was also released in App format. His work is well suited to the interactive nature of an App and Let’s Play! is no exception.

This is a truly refreshing adventure to enjoy and revisit with children from two years up and a fabulous choice for reluctant readers with a taste for adventure.

Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee?

Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee? written by Katrina Pallant, illustrated by Ulises Farins (Chirpy Bird/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781760126490

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Just in time for the latest Star Wars film release is this find-a-book, where the aim is to spot Chewbacca on each page as he is ‘pursued across the galaxy’ by bounty hunters. From Ewok Village and Jedi Temple, to the Death Star and Jabba’s Palace, readers will find themselves immersed in a complex range of worlds that will appeal to those with a prior knowledge of Star Wars, or have an interest in learning more about it.

The muted blue and brown colour palette and intricate illustrations suggests a more challenging search and find book that mid-to-late primary schoolers can engage with. Guns, explosions and ‘fist-fights’ in the cantina also suggest the book is aimed at older readers who are already au fait with such things.

Cleverly, the book enables longevity by providing a page of nine other characters aside from Chewbacca who can be found on each page. Additionally, there are tick-lists for each ‘world’ at the end of the book with additional objects to be discovered.

Star Wars fans new and old who have well and truly found Wally will enjoy this interactive activity book.

Daredevil Duck

Daredevil Duck written and illustrated by Charlie Adler (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-0-76245-456-3

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Meet Daredevil Duck.  He is the bravest duck in the world.  Well, at least he wants to be.  In truth he is afraid of everything so all he can do is dream of being brave while the other ducks make fun of him.  Until one day he needs to actually be brave and to his and everyone’s surprise he is.  From then on his life becomes very different because now, deep down, he knows he is Daredevil Duck.

Daredevil Duck is the first picture book authored by English illustrator Charlie Alder.  It is a story about facing and overcoming your fears and would be most suitable for pre-school or early school-aged children.

Apart from being a sweet and fun story that deals with an important life-lesson, this is visually a very enjoyable book.  Charlie Adler’s illustrations are colourful and lively and children will love seeing how Daredevil Duck discovers his true mettle.  There is also an interactive element with the inclusion of lift-the-flap, fold-out and uneven pages at various points throughout the book.  It would make a great read-aloud book but the interesting presentation will also encourage young readers to flip through the pages on their own.

Charlie Alder is an English illustrator and coffee lover.  Her books include Toot! and Express Yourself.  Daredevil Duck is her first author/illustrated picture book.  She lives in Devon, England with her husband and young son who is the inspiration for her book.  She can be found online at http://charliealder.com/.