I don’t want to go to Bed

I don’t want to go to Bed by David Cornish (Harper Collins) HBK RRP $24.99   ISBN 978-1-46075-05-82

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

This book is the sequel to the very funny picture book, I Don’t Want to Eat my Dinner by author-illustrator David Cornish. Every night when dinner is done, Rollo cries, 'I don't want to go to bed!'…

Rollo has worked out the evening routine, and going to bed is no fun.  So the stalling routine begins with lots of tried and true tactics.  You know the usual ones -- water, food, story, toilet, and a monster which gets told to go far away.  Rollo is loud, lovable and annoying. 

This picture book targets preschoolers from 3 years old.  The simple text and illustrations tell the story beautifully to small children who know all about not wanting to go to bed and what excuses to make to avoid it.

The mood is captured so simply, with Rollo’s facial expressions, from his little cranky face to the large text that loudly tells the reader that Rollo is not going to go to bed without a fight.   Large speech bubbles, checklists and a big crying mouth add to the drama and loudness of the story.  Rollo’s demands and antics just make you burst with laughter.  We can hear Rollo’s loud voice in our heads as we turn the pages and see his hungry mouth with a few teeth, to his parched and as dry as a desert mouth.  Luckily, for Rollo and his parents, his demands are met and he finally gives into tiredness and falls asleep.

I am sure that the author has more plans for Rollo in the future. You never know what Rollo’s next adventure will be, but you can be sure it will be funny.

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/.

Pig the Fibber

Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-906-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Pig the Pug is back. After his comeuppance last time he is still greedy, but now he has learned to be sneaky as well and tells lies in order to blame everything on his friend, the long suffering Trevor.

‘Why do you do this?’

Asked poor little Trevor.

‘I thought we were friends.’

But Pig said, ‘Whatever.

Pig the Fibber lives up to the standard of Pig the Pug. Totally cheeky, totally fun and with a rollicking rhythm which makes the words sparkle and bounce off the page. The characters of the two dogs, and the relationship between them comes across loud and clear through both the text and illustration. And the story-line, while conveying the important themes of truthfulness and friendship, does not feel moralistic.

Blabey’s illustrations are humorous, bold and expressive, and add story to the words. Preschool children will easily ‘read’ the pictures but I’m sure their adult readers will be happy to read it to them over and over again.

I am a huge fan of Aaron Blabey and cannot wait to see what he produces next.

Don’t Push the Button

Don’t Push the Button written and illustrated by Bill Cotter (NewSouth Books)

BB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-49261-964-2

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Meet Larry. This is his book.  There’s only one rule in this book:  don’t push the button. The big, red, all-too-inviting button.  When the temptation gets too much and the button is pushed, things get a little crazy.  Getting everything back to normal is not easy but would it be such a bad thing to press the button again?

Don’t Push the Button is the debut picture book from American author/illustrator Bill Cotter.  Aimed at and ideal for pre-school aged kids, this is a playful and fun book. 

The storyline itself is pretty simple and the illustrations, although bright and colourful are also not excessive.  The novelty comes with the way the reader is invited into the story and to interact with the book; not with tabs or textures but with the actual book – shaking it, pressing the illustrated button.  It is a great way to engage young children, making them and the book itself an active part of telling the story.  The board format will also ensure that it is robust enough for energetic young hands.

Bill Cox is a children’s author/illustrator from the United States.  After completing studies in art and illustration in Baltimore, he taught both art and music in New York.  Eventually he put two and two together and started creating books.  He returned to his hometown where he spends his time drawing, playing music and daydreaming.  He can be found online at: http://www.cotterillustration.squarespace.com/

Polka Dot Float

Polka Dot Float written and illustrated by Maryanne O’Flynn (Little Steps Publishing)          PB RRP $16.95                                                                                                                                    ISBN: 9781925117356

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Simple illustrations executed in bright acrylics accompany this pleasant story about a group of Australian animals.

Polka Dot is an echidna who wants to swim. The black swan is rude and mocking even before Polka Dot makes it into the billabong. The frogs, however, do their best to show her how it’s done. But their efforts are in vain; all Polka Dot can do is float. Determined to succeed, she returns the following day to have another go. By this time, there’s an audience -- Kangaroo, Koala, Bilby and Wombat have all come to watch.

As Polka Dot is about to enter the water, she smells smoke. A fire is raging, heading towards the billabong. Suddenly Polka Dot’s talent is a serious advantage as the animals launch out into the deep, all clinging fast to their floating friend.

This is a book about determination and valuing unexpected talents, even if they don’t seem useful. It would suit pre-schooler and first grade readers.

Little Rhymes for Little People

Little Rhymes for Little People by John Westlake, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Published by John Westlake)
PB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-0-646-92462-5
Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

In this new release, John Westlake has created a collection of rhymes that aim to educate children about animals of both land and sea and their environments. Suited to children aged three to seven, Little Rhymes for Little People features 21 rhymes written about animals from all over the world including Australian natives.

Each rhyme brings the reader closer to the animal by depicting a relationship between them and people, with the narrator an active participant in each scene.  This gives a gentle portrait of animal behaviour and their characteristics.

The bright illustrations by Sophie Scahill enhance the rhymes through a collage of texture and layering, giving them a somewhat 3D quality and bringing the animals’ habitats to life, at times in a humorous context. Zebras in disguise, a tea drinking leopard and a parachuting kiwi bird will entertain young readers as each page is unveiled. The illustrator has employed various colour palates that reflect a specific animal or environment. These are presented as full colour pages opposite their corresponding rhyme.

Each rhyme is short, in simple to read text, allowing the reader to move quickly. The illustrations support further discussion or reflection. There are opportunities for young children to identify pets or animals they may have encountered on visits to animal parks or sanctuaries. Little Rhymes for Little People is a light-hearted interpretation of animal life that can integrate with other pre-school environmental awareness. 

Little Rhymes for Little People is available now and available through Woodslane distribution.

Jaquelyn Muller is an author and publisher of the Elizabeth Rose picture book series. Jaquelyn is an author champion for the Let’s Read early childhood literacy program. She conducts literacy and publishing workshops for children from kinder to upper primary. jmullerbooks.com