Group Hug! A Collective Noun Safari

Group Hug! A Collective Noun Safari by Andy Fackrell (Ford Street Books) PB HC RRP $24.95 ISBN 9 781925804997 

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Come on safari around the world and discover the wonder of animal collective nouns. This book is a joyful ode to biodiversity, it has been lavishly illustrated and playfully written.

Andy Fackrell is one of the most awarded and recognised multi-dimensional creatives in the world. This is his first book and it’s a delightful read.

Wilbur is an animal loving city kid who goes on safari at the zoo to learn a collective noun or two.

This book lyricizes the majesty of animals in the wild with the quirks of the English language. The text shows that vocabulary can be used that can really extend a child’s world of words. ‘Zooks, my big Zambezian buddy, why, in the wild, are you so muddy? Fackrell uses alliteration and rhyme so that the text reads aloud well and is a fun experience. Our bulbous bellies, keep us afloat, we call ourselves a hippo float!

Wilbur is an Australian character, ‘G’day, my little Tasmanian mate, why in the wild, are you up so late?’ This appeals to a worldwide audience because children from anywhere can learn about Australian culture. Another strength of the text is the strong verbs and precise adjectives. ‘As meteors blaze across the night, our precious group, the rarest sight. Fackrell’s voice appeals to children, yet the text has a strong educational appeal.

On every spread the cartoon-like illustrations have engaging humour and movement. The facial expressions of the characters add meaning and life to the lively text. The page turns surprise with lavish illustrations that change with each animal visited. The colours used match the different animals and settings. I particularly love the double page spread of bright pink flamingo flamboyance with the light grey background: it really pops. The flamingos take centre stage and Wilbur is in the background dancing with pink flamingo feathers. The colourful palette of colours dance on every page.

Group Hug! is a picture book for primary school aged children. Its topic choices and humour have both kid and teacher appeal. Animal loving children will find this book fascinating. Teacher’s will enjoy the story’s environmental and animal themes, and the fact that the book can be used as an English tool. Group Hug! was inspired by Fackrell’s safari across the Serengeti and by a short film he created in South Africa about animal poaching.

This book supports The Lion’s Share, a fund backed by the United Nations Development Programme – its mentor David Attenborough, and its work protecting our most vulnerable wildlife groups.

That’s Not a Hippopotamus

That’s Not a Hippopotamus by Juliet Maclver and illustrated by Sara Davis

(Gecko Press) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781927271964

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

For ages 3 to 5 years, That’s not a hippopotamus is a brilliantly illustrated and very clever picture book. Davis’ characterisations of the children, and in particular the teacher, are genius.

When a class of very young children go on an excursion to Don’s Safari zoo they are intent on finding a hippopotamus which eludes them for most of the day. Ranger Don leads them on a ridiculously funny adventure as they fly across the pages kicking up dust, laughing, screeching with fear or delight and having a wonderful time in search of the hippo. During their adventure they manage to come across Ibex, giraffe, zebra, elephant, warthog, boa constrictor, a selection of reptiles, a hilarious collection of birds hiding in a forest scene and a walrus until eventually the hippo sneaks up behind and dressed as a tourist.

Davis’ colourful illustrations on white background are perfect and the children’s facial expressions and individual little characters are a delight. The harried spinster-like teacher survives being strangled by a boa constrictor and rubbed up against by a friendly warthog.

Maclver’s rhyme flows beautifully providing just enough hints for Davis to explore a variety of animals. I particularly like the background stories on each page.

“A missing hippopotamus!

Need a hippo–spotter, Miss?

Good thing we’re here, the greatest band

of hippo–hunters in the land.

I see him, Miss! He’s very quick!

I’ll chase him with my pointy stick!”

Maclver and Davis are an exceptional combination. I’m sure this story will be read over and over and delight the reader and listener every time.

Three Magic Balloons

Three Magic Balloons as told to Julianna Margulies and her Sisters told by Paul Margulies, illustrated by Grant Shaffer (Piccolo Nero) HB RRP

ISBN 9781863958370

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Julianna Margulies is a world-famous award-winning actress. The story re-told in this picture book by her brother was one originally told to her and her two sisters when they were children by their father. It’s a story about three children who every Saturday go with their dad to the Children’s Zoo in a city park (probably Central Park in New York). Dad offers them money for a treat, but instead they choose to buy foods for the animals. One day, a mysterious man gives them a small reward for their kindness – a different colour balloon for each of them. At night they dream that their respective beds – to which their balloons are tethered – float through the sky where they meet three angels who grant them wishes.

It must have been wonderful to have such a loving father who was also a storyteller. But would this picture book have been published if written by an unknown author? I wondered this as I found this story sweet and sentimental but not memorable. It also contains Americanised words which might not be familiar to Australian readers.

Nevertheless the story has a certain charm and the illustrations are bright and amusing. The story’s message is: ‘Magic is everywhere; you just need to know where to look’ – which, after all, is a great message for anyone. 

The Bravest Dugong

The Bravest Dugong by Alec Trost, illustrated by Graeme Compton (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117370

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

A dugong leaves the sea and goes dancing, parachuting, surfing, visiting a zoo, painting and cooking Cos Lettuce Pie (a dugong favourite). Charlie D is the dugong and he’s off on an adventure to see the world.

 

The gorgeous, high-energy illustrations are the highlight of this story, which is seeded with environmental facts as it moves through Charlie D’s activities on land.

 

Two final pages on the ‘Gentle Giants of the Sea’ are particularly useful for those interested in more information about dugongs. This section of the book provides handy teacher notes to help early readers negotiate the text.

 

Zoo Train

Zoo Train by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Daron Parton (Walker Books)

HC RRP $ 24.95

ISBN 9781922179876

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This is a humorous rhyming and rhythmic sing-song tale of a trip through the zoo on a train. The family has brought a picnic lunch with popcorn, juice, and cake. It’s a cold day but that doesn’t matter. Everyone is rugged up.

It’s all so exciting passing through the different areas, seeing all the big animals in their environment. The train goes past a monkey’s cage being cleaned out by the keepers. Have they shut the cage door properly?

Water falls on the boy’s head. His ears are cold. It seems to be snowing but only on him.  Why if he’s wearing a hat?  They have reached their destination and everyone gets out. His pants seem too big. They won’t stay up. What’s going on?

It’s time for a snack. The lunch bag is empty! The food is not the only thing missing. They go back the way they came in search of the missing items. The animals are enjoying the picnic lunch, wearing the boy’s hat, scarf and belt. Who and where is the culprit?

This simply has to be read aloud. The sounds and rhythm move to a musical beat. The illustrations in mixed media are striking and the characters’ expressions speak for themselves. Young readers will love listening to this, while following the pictures and guessing who the guilty animal is. There is so much to see on every page. It’s a visual feast ideal for readers 3+ years.