Marc Martin
Penguin Viking
ISBN: 9780670077434 RRP: $24.99
A seagull; a fish and chip shop; and an affable old man; what better combination for this story about friendship and loyalty. Max is a seagull with a taste for hot chips. He stands guard at Bob’s fish and chip shop at the seaside. Development moves in; customers disappear; Bob closes shop. Max waits and waits and finally realises Bob is not coming back. He sets out to find him and once again tracks down a familiar smell. The colourful mixed media illustrations are done in an upbeat retro style, with plenty of detail to develop the character of the setting. Bird’s-eye-view illustrations impress as Max flies over the town in search of his old friend.