Ori the Octopus

Ori the Octopus by Anne Helen Donnelly (Self Published) PB RRP $17.99
ISBN 9780646962207

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ori the Octopus is fun picture book written for preschool aged children. The text is simple and the illustrations are bright and bold with cartoon-like characters. The first page invites children to join in the actions of Ori and his friends during the story, and sets the tone for a playful reading experience.

Ori is a friendly octopus who likes helping his sea creature friends. When it’s Sally Starfish’s birthday he decides to make a cake for her. ‘Mix, mix, mix the cake.’ What starts off as a simple act of kindness slowly becomes a difficult task as his friends drop in, one by one, to ask for Ori’s help or attention. He does his best but soon realises that, even with eight legs, unfortunately he can’t assist everyone. Eventually things go wrong, and the tasks get muddled up. Fortunately for Ori, none of his friends like to see him tangled so they all pitch in and work together to get everything done. Then, at last, they can celebrate Sally’s birthday!

At the end of the story there are notes for teachers and parents, offering discussion points for a young audience. Following this are three pages of Ori the Octopus puppets to cut out. These puppets are a great inclusion, as re-enacting the story is excellent for young children’s language development and to consolidate their understanding of the book. If children are still keen after their puppet show, there are many more activities to download from the author’s website (annehelendonnelly.com) including dot-to-dots, mazes, spot the difference, matching and counting activities.

This 40-page paperback offers themes of friendship, kindness and teamwork. This book is suitable for children aged 2 to 5 years.

The Decorating Disaster

The Decorating Disaster by Alison Reynolds, illustrated by Mikki Butterley (Five Mile Press) HB $14.95 ISBN 978176006 7229

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Part of a series called Pickle and Bree’s Guide to Good Deeds, this is a beautifully presented and designed – and very reasonably priced – picture book for young readers. The series is centred on two delightful but different friends, the highly spirited, opinionated girl Bree and the slow, plodding Pickles the bear. In this book, Pickle and Bree, who live together, decide to redecorate their house.

As with any home-restorations, there are disagreements. One wants wallpaper, the other paint. However, when the two decide to work separate, more problems arise. Pickle is daunted by sticky wallpaper which results in him becoming wrapped in it! Bree, whose paint is a pea-green, gets stuck on top of a ladder – and calls for her friend. However, a compromise is soon reached and the friends even clean up together when the jobs are done.

This is a book which extols the virtues of teamwork. It cleverly and subtly shows how listening to the other person’s point of view and working together to brain-storm can result in shared ideas that lead to success. It invites readers to accept that sometimes others have different ways of doing things, that there is no one way of get something done. Overall, the discovery to be made is that friends can be friends even when they are totally different.

Aimed at children aged 5 to 8 years, this well-written picture book with lively and appealing illustrations, has more text than most so it would be ideal for an adult to read and discuss the story. To sum up: Reynolds and Butterley’s book is entertaining, educational and uplifting. It’s also highly recommended.

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.