Shoo! by Susie Bower

04 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars Tags: , , , ,

Published: 30th September 2021Goodreads badge
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Illustrator: Francesca Gambatesa
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

Mrs Golightly doesn’t like animals – and now a whole zoo has moved next door! No matter how hard she tries to shoo them away, she finds animals a kangaroo on the loo, a giraffe in her bath, and even ants in her pants.
What can she do to get rid of these stinky, bothersome creatures?

This was a fun read, nothing too deep about it and certainly one that kids will love. There is a loose poetic structure which makes it fun to read aloud, and there are onomatopoeic words mixed with the illustrations that add extra humour along with the visuals of a giraffe in the bath and a llama in pyjamas.

The illustrations are the main focal point of the page, the words mostly relegated to the top and bottom, but it does provide some great visuals of Mrs Golightly’s horror and anger at the animals that have essentially broken into her house. As the story picks up and the animals get more disruptive the words and illustrations work together as they mix down the page.

Interestingly, she isn’t wrong to be annoyed there are all manner of creatures infiltrating her house. It was different if they were only being loud next door in their own zoo, but if you find crocs in your socks and ants in your pants I feel you have a justifiable cause for outrage.

Overall, it’s a fun story about partying with what must be the strangest and most well stocked suburban zoo. Mrs Golightly learns to coexists and have a bit of fun, and Gambatesa makes the whole thing visually entertaining.

You can purchase Shoo! via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

 Fishpond | 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: , , ,

Published: 26th September 2023Goodreads badge
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: , , ,

Published: 4th April 2023Goodreads badge
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

My Shadow is Purple (#3) by Scott Stuart

30 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , ,

Published: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Larrikan House US
Illustrator: Scott Stuart
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

My Dad has a shadow that’s blue as a berry, and my Mom’s is as pink as a blossoming cherry. 
There’s only those choices, a 2 or a 1. But mine is quite different, it’s both and it’s none. 
An inspiring book about being true to yourself, by best-selling children’s book creator Scott Stuart. This effusive rhyming story considers gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of colour.

I love the shadow books because it is an easy to understand concept for kids and anyone unfamiliar with the different “shadow types”, but it’s also amazing because the differences are the shadows, not the people. The people are themselves, it’s only their shadows that are different. It doesn’t change who they are. Which of course might be me reading too much into it, but I just love the fact the differences are part of them but also not their whole being.

Even with this third colour option Stuart still shows different gender norms with blues being sentimental and pinks being strong. What’s great about this book too is it straight up says why can’t people be into all things? Why must they chose between the pinks and the blues? Why can’t they be into both trains and ballet shoes?

After our introduction the story follows the struggle with dealing with environments that are split into two options with no place for a third. The teacher coming over to acknowledge that our main character is different and yet still tells them they must choose a colour is another wonderful example of understanding but still forcing people into binary boxes.

Stuart shows readers that one brave voice to stand up for who they are can open the doors for others. It lets them reflect and acknowledge they too may not fit into the boxes the world has created, thereby creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all. Even after the proclamations of new shadows like green and brown there are still those who are blue and pink so Stuart also tells readers that you can reflect and challenge your own shadow colour and still end up with the default setting and there’s nothing wrong with that.

As a visual it’s a great introduction to the gender diversities and what people call ‘other’ and Stuart makes this another welcoming and simple explanation of gender diversity with a great story as well.

You can purchase My Shadow is Purple via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

23 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 1st June 2019Goodreads badge
Publisher: Walker Books
Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Pages: 43
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they’re going for a dip in the big ocean. “This is going to be so great,” says Little Crab, splish-splashing and squelch-squelching along, all the way to the very edge. Then comes a first glance down at the waves. WHOOSH! Maybe it’s better if they don’t go in?

Haughton has written a wonderful story about taking chances and trusting new experiences. Big Crab tells Little Crab they are going to the sea and it’s clear this will be Little Crab’s first time and they are keen to go on this adventure.

The story is a great exploration about being excited for a new adventure or experience but when faced with the reality being a little apprehensive. Putting their trust in Big Crab we see Little Crab gain confidence as they slowly embrace a new experience.

It’s also a great book for sounding out onomatopoeic words and puts you in the scene vividly, especially when the illustrations are minimal. The focus is on the squishing of seaweed and the tapping of claws which shows the journey they take with few words.

The illustrations are adorable, though basic. They are bold and simple and set the scene, changing a little to suit the story but remaining striking solid colours that fill the page. The contrast between on land and sea was great and it’s another way to highlight what Little Crab would have missed if they weren’t brave and trusting.

Drawn in by a cute cover and the prospect of a tiny version of an animal I was rewarded with an adorable story. It has a wonderful message that new experiences can be great but you’ll never know if you don’t take the plunge.

You can purchase Don’t Worry, Little Crab via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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