Dotty and the Magpie

Dotty and the Magpie by Jackie Wells, illustrated by Dana Brown (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117295

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

There are many, many picture books featuring a theme of self-acceptance. It’s a staple of the genre. Many (dare I suggest most?) of this select grouping also feature animals and—making a big comeback recently—rhyming verse.

 

To stand out in such a crowded field is a feat. But Dotty and the Magpie manages it. Perhaps it’s Dana Brown’s illustrations—certainly the spread of puppy-eyed multi-coloured Dotty with a butterfly on her nose, dreaming of kingfishers, comprehensively won me over.

 

I’m not enamoured of the busy cover but many of the interior illustrations simply glow. They evoke a promise of a happily-ever-after, despite Dotty’s  bout of depression over her plain black and white appearance.

 

Dotty’s deepest desire is to be resplendent with rainbow colours, to be as bright as an emerald hummingbird or a tangerine clownfish. But she’s just an ordinary non-colourful dog.

 

Then one day along comes a magpie. The magpie takes her on a journey of self-acceptance by showing her a world of beautiful, useful and even majestic things that are plain black and white.

The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon

The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon by David Almond, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781406354331

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

David Almond’s work always carries strong, thought-provoking messages. Here, his delightful yet complex story of the lonely, shy child Paul carries mixed themes and a great deal of optimism and hope.

Young Paul’s world is dull. People at school think he’s strange. He lives in the basement flat of a high apartment building with his mum and dad. On a day when he can’t face school and is alone with his sadness, he decides to go the top of the building and touch the sky.

Leaving his apartment takes courage. But he meets Harry the Harrier, Mabel who is Molly, Clara, and Clarence her dog, and Molly’s brother, Benjamin who due to his shyness, spent many years with a paper bag over his head. The strangeness of these strangers makes Paul feel very comfortable. He embarks on an adventure with these curious, mixed-up people, to prove his strange theory that the moon is really a hole in the sky.

A profound exploration of happiness, and how beautiful it can be when you’re different, this story touches on human feelings and how others see you. It also explores fear that can be as debilitating as silence, finding courage to do what seems impossible, being brave, and learning that helping others also helps you.

Koala Tails

Koala Tails by Lynton Allan (Sketch n' Tell Publishing)
PB RRP $18 plus postage
ISBN 9780646571287
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Koala Tails explores the the issues of self-acceptance and self-worth in a fun and non-didactic manner and would be useful in any home, pre-school or primary school to assist in the very important task of assisting children to develop a healthy self-esteem.

Grumbles the koala is a likeable character but believes he is ugly and that no one will want to play with him because he has no tail. In an effort to remedy this Grumbles heads off for the tail shop, 'an old gum tree covered in stringy pieces of bark'.

In a choose-your-own ending style, readers select a tail for Grumbles who then meets the owner of a similar tail. Grumbles soon discovers that he doesn't really desire the way of life the tails offer.

The stand-out feature of this book is Lynton Allan's illustrations. Full of the vivid colour of the Australian bush with striking blues, greens and oranges, and featuring the unique wildlife, the illustrations will be enjoyed by young and old.

Lynton Allan is a visual artist and storyteller who is available for presentations in schools and the community. He is available to paint on commission and original art, prints, and gift cards are for sale. For further information go to the Sketch n' Tell website.

Have a Go, Henry

Have a Go, Henry! by Kate Willson, illustrated by Marjory Gardner (Celapene Press)
PB RRP $ 10.95
ISBN 978-0-9806994-3-2
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis


Henry decides to ‘have a go’ in his school’s under-ten footy team. He wants to claim some of the chanting that follows his successful sister, ‘Super Suzy’, in every sports match. Clinging to Grandma Lulu’s words, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’, Henry is determined to become a sports star, and make Suzy eat her ridiculing words.


Hopeless, that’s what everyone calls him. But when Henry tries football, basketball, swimming and soccer, he starts to believe that’s what he is. He’s had enough of Suzy being treated as if she was the only thing worth mentioning in conversations. Henry is determined not to attend the Ravens’ Grand Final Netball game but is finally coerced into it by his parents. 


Henry escapes from the game by plugging in his iPod and shutting out the roar of the crowd. With a head full of rap music, he views a different picture. It is the last quarter and Suzy’s team, the Ravens, are not their usual winning selves. Suzy is not so ‘Super’. She looks frazzled; on edge. Things are not going according to plan. The cheerleaders aren’t cheering.  The crowds aren’t supporting the players.


He can’t let Suzy lose the game. With Grandma Lulu’s quotes floating through his brain, Henry step forward. He gets out in front of the spectators and sparks up the cheerleaders with a rap that’s rousing. Then he starts on the crowd for encouragement and support with his rap rhyme. Suzy is next to be uplifted. Then the game is on fire, so is Henry who has discovered what he is good at by having a go!


In this first book from a new author, children learn about discovering what they are good at, which does not necessarily mean something that others do. It shows that each person is unique, with individual qualities and abilities which they uncover only by trial and error. An encouraging and optimistic view on finding what you’re good at, written with humour for younger readers with complementing illustrations that reinforce the text beautifully. 

Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School

Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School by David Mackintosh (HarperCollins)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780007361410

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

“Marshall Armstrong is new to our school. He is different to me... His things are different to mine”

David Mackintosh’s new picture book explores the viewpoint of a child who is unimpressed that he must sit next to the new student in class. Immediately, the unnamed child makes some assumptions about Marshall, based on what he looks like, his belongings and his behaviour at school and decides that:“Marshall Armstrong doesn't fit in at our school.”

Through Mackintosh’s quirky illustrations and engaging story, we understand how it feels to be different  - to stand out and not be accepted. Marshall may often be alone, but he does not appear to be lonely. He accepts his differences, even seeming to celebrate them. We develop the impression that Marshall is a strong character and he certainly does not conjure feelings of sympathy from the reader.

When Marshall invites the whole class to his birthday party, his classmate laments all the things he believes they won’t be allowed to do because Marshall eats different food, doesn’t play sport or has to stay in the shade. He expects everyone, especially himself will have a terrible time.This is the turning point in the book where Marshall is finally accepted for being himself.

Children and adults will all enjoy this latest book by Mackintosh, who has predominantly illustrated the work of others. I certainly hope he continues to write and illustrate as I believe this title will be an asset to any home or school library.