The Picture Book Corner | Lost in a Good Book

Something’s Fishy by Jean Gourounas

15 Nov 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, four stars, jean gourounas, picture book

Published: 16th October 2017
Publisher: Phaidon Press
Illustrator: Jean Gourounas
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Penguin is ice fishing, but the fish aren’t biting. What could possibly be the problem?

Join the cumulative cast of polar characters as they gather, chatter, wager guesses, and aggravate Penguin until…they hear something from below the ice!

I love this book; it is simple, clever, has a nice twist, and is delightful and funny.

Penguin is ice fishing and soon becomes the subject of curiosity by those around her. The expression on penguin’s face can be interpreted as annoyance, but even if she is bothered by the interruptions and noise, she doesn’t say much. It’s the onlookers and busybodies who query what’s going on.

It doesn’t take long for the act of fishing becomes a group activity as everyone starts discussing why the fish aren’t biting, with each newcomer adding to the discussion. Even the move from discussing that penguin is fishing to they all are fishing is fantastic. Onlookers are baffled, perplexed, and flummoxed and penguin continues to fish.

The gradual build of onlookers is so enjoyable. From one rabbit, to a walrus, to a whole host of characters, it is made better by penguin’s inaction. This staggered arrival works in companion with the illustrations as well, the layout complimenting the story. The characters move from left to right across the double page, as the new character arrives on the left, they then join the others on the right to observe.

The banter between everyone is great, it’s simple but effective. Short sharp humour that uses repetition but also a smidge absurd. The payoff it brilliant. What you think the penguin is shushing everyone for isn’t the reason you think and the reveal is delightful. Truly a highly enjoyable read.

You can purchase Something’s Fishy via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

Fishpond | Amazon

The Big Cheese by Jory John (#7)

01 Nov 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: food group series, four stars, jory john, pete oswald, the food group

Published: 7th November 2023
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

The Big Cheese is the best at everything, and brags about it, too. When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Is a slice of humility all the Big Cheese needs to discover that some things are better than being the best?

Jory John is an instant read for me so of course The Big Cheese was on my list. I hadn’t thought much about what this trait theme was going to be but from the early pages it is evident it’s bragging, or arrogance.

The usual puns are there, this time cheese related. Cheese’s desire to be a big shot meant they worked hard and made a name for themselves but also only doing things they would excel at so they’d always win. I liked the direction the story takes having Cheese learn some humility without it being a takedown of their character. It is a self-taught lesson and one that Cheese discovers through reflection and not from conflict with another character.

There is always so much to love about John’s books and aside from the key messages the story itself is always delightful. I am fascinated by the events of the Cheese-cathalon which include chess, bread buttering, hat making, and sheep herding. It’s a great mix of activities, a little bit of everything to meet everyone’s interests.

I love these food worlds that John creates as it generates a range of questions about the wider world like how can cheese herd sheep but also grow up in what is clearly a human sized kitchen? Despite the questions, the stories are always solid and the message is never forced, developing naturally around the character and their life.

The illustrations are brilliant as usual. The distinct colour pallet and style we’ve seen in other Food Group books is there and the design on these various cheese types is cute and clever. Oswald has brought this cheese world to life with fun characters and cute background features.

Big Cheese learns about humility and being a gracious loser, and understands that winning all the time is actually stressful. Not to mention that not being in the spotlight all the time, and learning to accept defeat, can improve a range of other areas in their life. It’s a great lesson for readers to learn and an added bonus that it’s told in such an adorable and humorous way.

You can purchase The Big Cheese via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Henry the Flying Emu by Niraj Lal

18 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: adam carruthers, children's picture book, niraj lal, picture book, three stars

Published: 1st June 2021
Publisher: Woodslane Press
Illustrator: Adam Carruthers
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

Henry the emu wanted to FLY! But flying fish, eagles, and launchers cant seem to help. Its only after meeting Wallagoot Jean that Henry learns about the science of orbit, and the importance of flying first with his mind.

This was an interesting but slightly underwhelming book for what I was expecting so I suppose that’s on me a little. Weirdly enough it also took a few goes to work out the rhythm of the rhyme and found I could only find it was by reading it out loud. It isn’t hard, but for some reason my brain wouldn’t do it. It’s kind of like the old limericks or nonsense poems in rhythm, the closest I could think of was The Owl and the Pussycat beat. It was fun once I got the hang of it.

It isn’t a long book but it is broken up into chapters as we follow Henry’s journey of flight. It’s a curious concept in that it mentions that it’s impossible to fly, but at the same time trying hard and imagining he can results in Henry actually doing it? I think. It does make it sound like he really achieved this and it isn’t in his imagination which is nice for Henry I suppose. There’s maths and calculations, and a little bit about space mixed throughout so there is a bit more than pure faith and trust getting Henry in the air. I liked that it teaches you about how orbits work and how calculations can help adjust your results. It was a nice addition from only belief getting him his dream.

Carruthers’ illustrations are great. The full page art is bold, the colours are classic outback reds and brown, and the designs are fun, I enjoyed looking at the little details. Henry’s expression is fun and the other characters are quirky but not overly cartoony.

I love finding books that have no online review presence, like I’m the only person who read and reviewed this thing. It’s all over the buying websites though so someone else must know about this book besides me, but I have had to add it manually into Storygraph and it’s got no reviews on Goodreads so that’s always strange. Overall it was a nice read. I am a little let down because I thought it was going to be a bit better. It wasn’t bad, it was fun, not overly funny or anything but an interesting concept and execution. I enjoyed the rhyme choice and the illustrations so I’m taking that as a win.

You can purchase Henry the Flying Emu via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

Amazon | Amazon Aust

I am Stuck by Julia Mills

20 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, four stars, julia mills, picture book

Published: 26th September 2023
Publisher: Clarion Books
Illustrator: Julia Mills
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

“Stuck” asks Duck. Yep, Turtle is flipped over on his shell and can’t seem to get un-stuck. Duck suggests wiggling his feet, Kangaroo wants him to wag his tail, and Armadillo says rolling into a ball always does the trick. But Turtle is STILL. STUCK.

Is there anyone who can help?

This wise and humorous story reminds us that when we’re feeling down, sometimes what we need most is a friend by our side–and a deep belly laugh–to help us get back on our feet again.

A tender (and humorous!) look at the way tough emotions can make us feel stuck and how the presence of a good friend and a deep belly laugh can make it easier to get through stormy feelings. Complete with back matter to help stuck readers feel better through noticing, smelling, talking, and taking a deep breath.

This is a sweet book that starts off sad, gets very metaphorical, before being sweet and heartfelt at the end.

The premise is Turtle is stuck and unable to become un-stuck. Everyone is happy to come along and give him advice on what to do while actually ignoring the reality of his situation and whether it will actually help. They walk through, give their personal solutions that work for them, then walk off without seeing if it helps at all. Even when they do stay, they shrug and walk off saying ‘it always works for me’.

It is a wonderful metaphor for a lot of life’s problems, emotions, and situations. One thing I loved was the ending and how Mills has Turtle become unstuck. What was a nice twist wasn’t that someone finally listened and gave the right advice, but that listening helped, even if no help could be provided until Turtle could help himself. It is a great message to put in a book because sometimes you can’t help yourself and need help, but other times a friendly ear and someone to sit with you will be enough to get you unstuck.

When there is someone beside you, as a distraction, as a comfort, to talk with while you are stuck, it can help calm anxieties and focus on other things for a while. There is a great page at the end about what to do when stuck, similar to what Turtle does in the book. And stuck never is explained aside from literal sense for Turtle but it can mean so many things.

The illustrations are basic, the only pictures are Turtle and the animals who come across him on a plain white page. They become a bit more detailed when Turtle is finally getting support but it is still simple. There didn’t need to be a lot of background detail, or have scenery at all; having Turtle be centred in the middle of the page makes you focus entirely on them being stuck and you can’t ignore their struggle.

You can purchase I am Stuck via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! by Susan Boynton

06 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: children's picture book, five stars, picture book, susan boynton

Published: 4th April 2023
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Illustrator: Susan Boynton
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. From children trying to master new skills to adults who had a hard week at work, we all get overwhelmed sometimes and need reassurance. And who better to offer it than a chicken exclaiming: “WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!”

I found this book at a very opportune time when, as silly as it sounds, I really needed it. There is a wonderful message about supporting each other and lifting people up. But having a chicken scream at you that you’re doing your best is really uplifting.

It’s about encouraging those trying to learn, who are passionate about a hobby or developing a new skill, or even just trying their best with unapologetic enthusiasm and support. The rhyme is wonderful and the melodic nature flows as you turn the pages with ease to become lost in this story.

The best thing is even our powerhouse chook of encouragement makes mistakes and having a little voice (literally as it’s a mouse) come along and tell us that making mistakes is ok you still did your best is fantastic.

Of course no amazing picture book is complete without making me cry, but the final two pages where this tiny mouse stares at the reader and tells them basically point blank that celebrating others is great, and telling them they are doing great is wonderful, but the best woo hoo to give it the one you give to yourself. Again, I think I came across this book at the best and worst time but my goodness it’s amazing to have a book straight up tell you that you’re trying your best.

Fantastic.

The illustrations are cute and simple. A lot of emphasis is on the words and making sure they are big and exciting, but at the same time interactive with the pictures of these various animals. There is something great about animals in picture books that can convey a message that maybe could work with humans but it makes it lighter and easier to sell than if you put a face to it. Easier to digest and absorb I think.

I loved the cover and picked it up because who wouldn’t be curious about the story inside and it only got better from there.

You can purchase Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust