Home in the Rain

Home in the Rain by Bob Graham (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781406368239

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Home in the Rain is the beautiful, heartwarming story of Francie and her mum who are driving home from Grandma’s in the pouring rain. The rain is so heavy and the journey so long that the car windows fog up. Francie wets her finger and writes the words ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’ and ‘Francie’ on the windows, leaving the back window free for the name of her soon-to-be sister.

Still far from home, Francie and Mum stop for a picnic. While they enjoy Grandma’s plum jam sandwiches, Francie starts to wonder what her new baby sister’s name will be. Could it be Alice, or Emma, or maybe even Zoe? Mum assures Francie that somewhere out there is a name that will fit the baby perfectly.

When Francie and Mum finish their picnic, they set off on the rest of their journey, eventually reaching their destination. By the time they get home, the name of Francis’s new sister has been scribbled across the back window.
Home in the Rain is another magnificent book from multi-award winning author-illustrator Bob Graham, who has a knack for producing high quality stories that touch the heart and warm the soul. The text is delightful and the illustrations are so endearing they bring the story to life.

Home in the Rain is perfect for children aged 3+ years and families expecting a baby. It is a lovely story about how the simple things in life can create the most memorable moments. It will captivate the hearts of young and old and become a firm family favourite.

Grandma, the Baby and Me

Grandma, the Baby and Me by Emma Allen, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville (Omnibus Books)

HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-873-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The day the baby came home Grandma winked and said, ‘Here’s trouble.’

Henry is having trouble adjusting to having a new baby in the house. Things are not quite the same. Routines are altered, mum’s attention is divided and even his big sister is giving the baby all her focus and kisses. If only Grandma would come back and make things better.

This is a gentle story about the change in family dynamics when a new baby arrives and it is told with such skill and simplicity. ‘...and the baby yelled until bathtime. In the bath, I yelled too.’ And although Henry’s yell is a happy one, Mum tells Henry to stop splashing and cradles the baby.

The lovely and realistic relationships are portrayed well through the text and also beautifully through the expressive illustrations. There is so much in every picture. There is the family dog, appearing on most pages with his ball, just hoping someone will throw it for him, especially Henry who completely ignores him.

There is a dinosaur theme which runs strongly throughout the story, and my favourite page is one which I think every mother could relate to: At bedtime it rained, the baby screamed, and Mum cried, ‘Oh! The washing!’ The family are standing in the kitchen. Mum is holding the baby with the phone wedged between her shoulder and ear while clearing the dinner dishes. Henry is in his bath towel tugging on her shirt and Josie is trying to give her a cupcake. Dad is washing dishes looking forlornly at the rain and the dog is licking up spilt milk under the table.

This is a lovely story about love, family and adjustment and how much a simple squeeze of Grandma’s hand can help a situation. It would be a great book for any young child, particularly those who are expecting, or experiencing a new sibling themselves.

My Dog, My Cat, My Mum and Me

My Dog, My Cat, My Mum and Me by Nigel Gray, illustrated by Bob Graham (Walker Books)
PB RRP $ 14.95
ISBN 9781921529511
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

New life is always a great joy. Nigel Gray’s absolutely gorgeous book about birth, both animal and human, will bring great joy to readers and listeners. Simple in its approach, yet carrying a strong message, it serves to teach and entertain with the use of rhyme, repetition of main words, and numbers up to three. It also informs children about the changes in the body which herald new life.

The dog ‘was fat when she went in, but she came out thin’.  The girl takes a look. There are two puppies under the door flap of the cupboard. The cat was fat when she went in the box, ‘but she came out thin’. Three kittens are lying in a heap under the cardboard flap lid. Then mum ‘got fatter and fatter. This time I knew what was the matter’. What happened next?

Bob Graham’s illustrations are outstanding as always. The characters and all the pictures are outlined in thick black strokes which are also repeated in the text. Vibrant colours fill the pages, and the expressions on the faces of the animals and people say more than any written word could.

This is such a happy book. Its yellow cover is the perfect choice for the background colour. The front shows Mum with her swollen tummy with the girl, who is pushing a pram in which the fat dog and the fat cat stand upright. The animals appear to be smiling for some secret reason. (That’s obviously before they go into their private places behind the flaps.) The back cover has a framed picture of all the new arrivals; animal and human, with the dog licking the girl’s face.

You’ll smile when see the covers and laugh from sheer pleasure while enjoying the book. This simple and perfect book with its simple and perfect message is suitable for all ages.

My Mum Makes

 My Mum Makes illustrated by Dee Texidor (Lothian/Hachette)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN: 9780734412812

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

This colourfully illustrated in-house picture book is a celebration of a mother's care and love for her pre-schooler. A little girl recounts her routine with mum assisting at every step - waking her up, getting her dressed, feeding her, showing her how to plant vegetables, giving her a swing etc.

Each page demonstrates the unique mother-daughter relationship forged in the simple act of spending time and putting thought into what they do together. The child is also aware that mums are busy and is happy to play alone at times.

The message that the little girl feels important and loved shines through the dialogue. She is not threatened when she discovers her mum is going to have a baby. In fact she thinks a baby is the best thing her mum has made and can't wait for her mum to bring it home.

Young children will enjoy the dazzling colours and busy designs chosen by the artist and relate to much of what unfolds. The delightfully simple story may help children to accept the arrival of a sibling. Perhaps, like the small protagonist, they will think their multi-skilled mum is a genius, too.  

Sam the Cat: a true story

Sam the Cat: a true story by Sam Bowring, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 978-1-921504-297
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

A new baby in the house means trouble. Not only does he get all the attention but he even gets Sam’s name. Upset Sam walks out, only to become lost after a huge storm. If the new baby has his name and all the attention, will Sam even be missed at all?

Based on the true story of how author Sam Bowring got his name. This book’s simple text tells a charming story of how everyone has a place at home. Filled with subtle humour and touches of irony, Sam – or should that be King Ironpaw, Ruler of the Roof- shows us that there is no need for jealousy. As long as the baby leaves his scratching post alone!

Andrew McLean is a highly awarded illustrator and once again his illustrations help to tell the story. Created in pen, ink, watercolour and pastels; these subtle illustrations bring Sam’s character to life.  I especially loved the image of a wet and bedraggled Sam waiting under the house.

This picture book would be suitable for lower primary readers and as it deals with jealousy it would be great for those young children dealing with a new baby coming into the home.

The Perfect Baby

The Perfect Baby by Tony Bradman, illustrated by Holly Swain (Egmont)

PB RRP $6.00
ISBN 978-14052755-1
Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang
www.thestoryline.com.au

Little Lucy gets a brand new baby brother. While everyone else is excited Lucy finds it hard to be happy about a baby that just sleeps, cries and makes disgusting noises and smells. Her solution is to take him back to the hospital and get a new one. 

We join Lucy and her family as they trial a range of new babies. They get a baby tortoise, a baby baboon, a baby elephant and others, all of which presented different problems for the family. In the end Lucy decides that the first baby was actually perfect.

This book presents a fast paced humourous approach to all those parents struggling to encourage older siblings to accept and love their newborn siblings.

The graphics are fun, full of colour and detailed. The images and colour scheme interplay with the word layout and enhance the story nicely.