Marvin and Marigold: The Big Sneeze

Marvin and Marigold: The Big Sneeze by Mark Carthew, illustrated by Simon Prescott (New Frontier) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-92505-965-6

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Marvin the Mouse has a cold. This causes quite a problem for all those around him, especially for Marigold, his next-door neighbour. Marvin’s sneezes cause everything in Marigold’s house to clatter and crumble. So Marigold needs to come up with a solution. And quickly, before Marvin leaves.

The Big Sneeze is a delightful story told in lyrical rhyme. Although there are perhaps, more words than many picture books for this age, it is so rhythmic and fun to read aloud it’s hardly noticeable. The light-heartedness and meter of the words had me almost singing each page.

She built her house strong.

She built her house long –

With a bed made of feathers and sticks.

The illustrations match this bright, breezy, funny story. With the cracks and crumbles in everything around the two mice, the mice’s attire and the occasional subtle detail – like a cat’s tail glimpsed though a window – the pictures add to the enjoyment and comprehension of the story being told. And the twist at the end is told wholly by the illustration.

This is a picture book full of appeal and well suited to four to eight year olds. Older readers will also gain enjoyment from reading it aloud to their younger audience. 

I Need a Hug

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-76362-909-3

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Little porcupine does not understand why no-one will cuddle her. Surely there is someone out there who will. I Need a Hug is another playful and fun story from author Aaron Blabey which taps into young children’s desires for hugs and kisses.

This picture book has no clutter, just wonderfully expressive animals and full colour glossy pages. All the text is in speech bubbles with great rhyme which removes any awkwardness that can sometimes come with reading speech bubbles aloud. It’s smooth and rhythmic.

Little Porcupine is adorable and the other animals who populate this book are portrayed with humour and liveliness. The pages pop with clear bright colour and the layout is very appealing.

The ending has a fabulous ‘Blabey’ twist, humorous and portrayed by both words and pictures working hand in hand, which gives a very satisfying finish.

This is a perfect story to read to pre-schoolers, cuddled up together on the couch or at bedtime. An entertaining book, it will be loved by a wide readership, young and old.

Aaron Blabey is an award winning Australian author whose picture book Pig the Pug was recently shortlisted for many awards including the CBC Awards and the Australian Book Design Awards. As well as many picture books, he has also written the hilarious series, The Bad Guys, junior chapter books for middle grade readers.

This is a Circle

This is a Circle by Chrissie Krebs (Random House)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780857988058

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

My love of rhyme is not a secret, but rhyme with bug-eyed goats in boats and pant wearing foxes on boxes gets me giggling every time.

I was immediately taken back to Fox in Socks when I first read This is a Circle by new author Chrissie Krebs. The nonsensical imagery and unexpected turns that I encountered when I first read one of my all-time favourite Dr Seuss stories came flooding back as I skipped through Krebs’ glorious pages. 

Krebs is both author and illustrator of this romp and although well suited to younger readers, my ten year old and I thought it was a hoot. But of course it is not just the bears, goats, cats and foxes dressed in primary colours that are eye catching, but the repetitive elements of the story that grow and interchange with each other to give context to shapes and surroundings.

The hardback with a peephole in the cover is always a drawcard for younger readers and the larger font for the frequently used words will aid slightly older children who are learning to read.

Cartooned themed illustrations together with rhyme give this a pacey feel that by my third read through, I was reading faster and faster to see how tongue tied I would get. 

This is the first book by Chrissie Krebs. Her second book, There’s Something Weird in Santa’s Beard, is currently under construction.

What pet should I get?

What pet should I get? written and illustrated by Dr Seuss (Harper Collins) HBK RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780008170783

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

Believed to have been written between 1958 1nd 1962, this previously unpublished story tells the story of Kay and Jay (from One Fish, Two Fish...) as they wrestle with the difficult decision of which pet to choose.

Written in typical Seuss rhyme, with unmistakable Seuss creatures we witness Jay and Kay’s decision dilemma as they consider an array of pets. 

Given a noon deadline by their father, the pressure mounts as the siblings must make a decision.

Decisively, Jay states:

 “ I will do it right now.

   I will do it, I said.

   I will make up the mind

   That is up in my head.”

Do they choose a rabbit, a cat, a fish or a dog? Or one of Seuss’s creations, perhaps? The story ends in a cliff-hanger – we can only guess what is contained in the basket balanced on Jay’s head, the pet’s eyes peeking at us, while Jay and his sister wear satisfied smiles.

Children will enjoy not only the rhyme and the typical Seuss illustrations, but guessing exactly which pet is being carried home.

At the end of the story are valuable ‘Notes from the Publisher’, which include photographs of a young Dr Seuss – Theophrastus Seuss Geisel and his pets. This gives the book an extra layer, enabling the reader to gain insight into the man (and child) behind the famous author.

This book is suitable for ages 3 years and up.

River Riddle

River Riddle by Jim Dewar, illustrated by Anil Tortop (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-051-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Jack is off to market with Dolly the sheep, Frank the fox and a sack of hay. But between them and the market is a big river. With only a small boat just big enough for Jack and one other, how is Jack going to get everyone across without Dolly eating the hay or Frank eating Dolly? Luckily he is a very clever boy. And step by step, Jack’s plan is laid out for readers to follow in both the words and pictures.

Based on a classic kids’ logic puzzle and told in beautifully even rhyme which slips off the tongue easily, The River Riddle is a fun story to read with a great ending.

The humour of the words and situation is carried wonderfully in the vibrant pictures which illustrate, not only the immediate action and the sibling-like relationship (apart from the eating bit!) between Frank and Dolly, but also what is going on in the minds of Jack and his animals. It brings an intimacy to the story when you can see what is going on inside their heads.

See if you can come up with a plan to solve the riddle before Jack?

Summer Rain

Summer Rain by Ros Moriarty, illustrated by Balarinji (Allen & Unwin 2015)
PB RRP $12.99
ISBN: 9781760112110

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

With rain comes life and Summer Rain is a vivid celebration of life in the wet season in northern Australia.

This story is a lyrical one, commencing at dawn and concluding at dusk, each spread depicting the sights and sounds of the unique summer landscape from a new vantage point. Kangaroos pound over red ochre earth, grasses stand like spears in the steamy heat, geckos stretch in the sunset.

Filled with colour and movement, the lively beauty of this book makes it stand out from the crowd. The simplicity of Balarinji’s Indigenous design – each perfect dot, hypnotic swirl and stylised creature – brings the words of author Ros Moriarty to life with bold impact.

In fewer than eighty words, Moriarty’s rhythm, rhyme and alliteration, blend with Balarinji’s images to create a warm and engaging feast for the senses.

With a distinctly northern Australian flavour, Summer Rain revels in the splendour of the natural landscape and those who inhabit it. It also showcases the storytelling qualities of Indigenous art.

Different typography is used to accentuate certain words throughout the story. I found this approach slightly distracting, particularly as the story and artwork speak so well for themselves.

This simple picture book with its colourful imagery and low word count will likely appeal to pre-schoolers and early primary school aged children.

A translation is included in Yanyuwa, the language spoken by Aboriginal families in Borroloola, Northern Territory.

Lulu

Lulu by Georgie Donaghey illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn (Dragon Tales Publishing)

PB RRP: $17.95

ISBN 9780992523954

Reviewed by Yvonne Mes

Lulu is a bear with a creative soul needing to be expressed, so she moves from her icy lands to the big city lights. Here she is right at home dancing and singing and being adored by her fans until she realises how much she misses her friends back home. Luckily they know just what to do.

Written in rhyme that doesn’t miss a beat and beautifully illustrated, this adorable bear shows that you can have it all if only you reach for it.

Yvonne Mes is a children's writer and illustrator. Her picture books, Meet Sidney Nolan (Random House) and Oliver’s Grumbles (Dragon Tales Publishing) are scheduled for release in October 2015. www.yvonnemes.com

Teddy Took the Train

Teddy Took the Train by Nicki Greenberg (Allen & Unwin)

PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9781760112134

Reviewed by Yvonne Mes

This picture book with its alluring title and subject is certain to attract young children.

The story tells of little Dot who realises she has left her Teddy on the train after a day out with Mum. Shocked and horrified at first, she soon soothes herself by imaging just what her Teddy is getting up to on the train and how he will find his way home.

The book is written in rhyme and rolls along interspersed with the refrain of and repetition of the title. The illustrations paint an environment inclusive of different abilities and cultures.  The characters though depicted cartoon-like are softened by the warm textured backgrounds.

Young children will be able to relate to losing a treasured comfort toy and Dot’s highs and lows in being reunited with her Teddy.

Yvonne Mes is a children's author. Her first picture book, Meet Sidney Nolan (Random House) is scheduled for release in October 2015. www.yvonnemes.com

Digby's Moon Mission

Digby’s Moon Mission by Renee Price, illustrated by Anil 

Tortop (Create It Kids)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9780646927718 

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Digby’s Moon Mission taps into the timeless childhood desire for a ‘mission’, aided by a group of eager accomplices.

Digby Fixit wonders, ‘Why is the dark so dark?!’, and notes the moon’s slight size: ‘Banana-thin. No more than a sliver’. He concocts an energetic plan with the aid of his friends to cook some food, fling it up to the moon and fatten it up, restoring its roundness and therefore its glow.

Price diverts from prose to rhyme as the children prepare the food, segmenting this activity from the main narrative. Tortop’s illustrations convey humour, action and fun, and it is pleasing to see the diversity of real life reflected in Digby’s friends. The addition of Digby’s expressive little cat throughout is a charming touch.

The double-page spread displaying a determined Digby measuring the moon as it grows larger each day is a favourite, and will no doubt touch adult readers. Digby is convinced his plan is working, and it nods to the innocent wonder of childhood.

The story’s conclusion reveals the aftermath of the moon’s feast, and uses humour that will appeal to young readers of three to six. Overall, the story embraces teamwork, creative problem-solving and determination in an engaging way.