Brothers from a Different Mother

Brothers from a Different Mother by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (Viking) HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 9780670078486

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

It’s not often there is a tapir in a children’s story so it’s a refreshing change to see one on the cover of this picture book, knowing it’s sure to be a main character!

Every day two animals see each other playing down at the waterhole - Tapir, from the jungle, and Pig, from the village. Both animals look very similar and, at first, they are curious as to whether they are in fact the same. When eventually they notice some differences, they decide that they are ‘Brothers from a Different Mother’ and develop a special bond.

This new friendship sees Tapir and Pig happily playing together every day until their fathers get involved and forbid the friendship due to their prejudices. The separation naturally causes sadness for Tapir and Pig, who are both their parents only offspring. Both miss their new ‘brother’. Will Tapir and Pig find a way to be together again or will others’ misconceptions force them apart forever?

The life-like illustrations are presented in a combination of single page images, double page spreads and vignettes. The text is very repetitive with both animals having the same thoughts, the same conversations and the same experiences, however the repetitiveness also highlights just how similar both characters are...perhaps even Brothers from a Different Mother!

This picture book is suitable for children aged 5-8. This story can be a great addition to the primary classroom and form a great conversation starter about friendship, similarities, differences and prejudices.

Mango and Bambang: The Not-a-Pig

Mango and Bambang: The Not-a-Pig by Polly Faber, illustrated by Clara Vulliamy (Walker Books)

HC RRP $ 17.95

ISBN 9781406361438

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Mango is a girl who is good at many things. She loves to play chess and is good at karate. She is learning to play the clarinet but needs more practice.

Her life would be lonely if she didn’t have so much to learn and practice. For Papa spends every moment of every day in his study balancing books. It is on a Wednesday that Mango comes across an Asian tapir named Bambang lying on the road, blocking the traffic that everybody thinks is a pig. Being good at things helps her to persuade him to come with her. He has run away from tigers and ended up in the big and busy city.

This is the start of a beautiful friendship between two lonely people that become three when they meet George, the grubby boy up the tree that loves toffees.

There are problems to face and solve. Persuading people, especially Collectors of Unusual Things that Bambang is not a pig, is very hard. But harder still, is finding a bath big enough for Bambang, persuading him to stay indoors when Mango is at school, and trying to find him when he wanders off.

This is a delightful story in four parts for the 5-7 ages. The illustrations are by Clara Vulliamy, daughter of Australian writer and illustrator Shirley Hughes. The book is ideal for bedtime reading in small portions. It is luxuriously presented in purple and grey colours alone, with purple framed pages alternating throughout the book, and a jacket identical to the cover. Themes of friendship, acceptance and kindness move like a mist within the entertaining storyline.