Snow Day

Snow Day by Sam Usher (Koala Books)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-116-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Imagine the excitement off waking up to a world covered in snow. When this happens for one little boy he is impatient to go outside and play, but Granddad is SO slow at getting ready. What if they miss all the fun?

This is a beautifully simple story about the frustrations of waiting and of the joyful surprises which may be just around the corner. Some things are definitely worth the wait.

The language of Snow Day is straightforward and flows in a deeply satisfying way. As Granddad slowly gets ready…         

          'I said, "Don't forget the snow!'

          And he said, “Don’t forget your scarf!"

This exchange forms part of the rhythm of the story, as does the wide, white expanse of snow which starts off clean and fresh, but is slowly filled with footprints, then people, then neighborhood dogs as the young boy sits on his front steps waiting for Granddad.

The crisp, clear illustrations evoke feelings of a sunny but cold day, just what’s required for the perfect snow day. And it is through these pictures the surprise is slowly revealed.

This is a happy book, full of wonder, imagination and fun. And being a large, sturdy hardback it should be up to countless.

Gus & Me The story of my Grandad and my first Guitar

Gus & Me The story of my Grandad and my first Guitar by Keith Richards Illus. by Theodora Richards (Orion/Hachette) CD voiceover James Langton
HB with CD RRP $28.99
ISBN: 978 1 4440 1176 0
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Theodore Augustus Dupree lived with seven daughters near the Seven Sisters Road, in a house that was filled with instruments and cake. Thus begins a charming and nostalgic picture book reflecting on the happy childhood of Rolling Stone and music legend, Keith Richards, who was greatly influenced by his granddad, Gus.

Gus was a talented musician of the piano, violin and saxophone, but more significantly, he could strum the guitar. Keith loved visiting his grandparents' home and Gus loved giving Keith his time. He took him on long walks and hummed all kinds of tunes as they went. He took Keith to the workshop of a London music store and Keith was fascinated, not only by the workers who plucked strings or tested drums as they fixed broken instruments or made new ones, but by the instruments themselves, particularly the guitars going slowly around on a conveyor belt. That's when he fell in love with musical instruments.

Gus kept a guitar on top of the piano but Keith was not tall enough to reach it. He kept trying and one day his granddad handed it to him, showed him the major chords and taught him to play the classic piece "Malagueňa". This was the stepping stone to his musical career.

Keith's artist daughter, Theodora Richards, has enhanced the simply worded story with lively dashes of colour, some in streams across the page, or e.g., capturing just the legs of Keith and Gus with the family dog, Mr Thompson Wooft. Stars and musical notes abound, and the pen, ink and collage illustrations on the crisp white background have an exhilarating effect. Hand-drawn letters of all sizes have been incorporated, and a couple of pages of these were drawn by Keith himself. Part of the musical score of Malagueňa is on the inside and back inside covers. Unusually, a loose cover accompanies the picture book giving it a classy touch.

Keith Richards wrote the text with Barnaby Harris and Bill Shapiro and a very warm and loving story has resulted. Many family photos are included, and as an extra bonus, a CD of a reading of the story by actor James Langton, along with a spoken introduction and additional guitar music from Keith.

Gus & Me is an impressive picture book and would make an equally stunning gift.