Books from the Basement

Welcome to Children's Corner book reviews from 4MBS Classic Radio FM in Brisbane. Here you will find short annotations of the children's books reviewed by Kerry Neary in Children's Corner on 4MBS, together with the details you need to find them at your favourite bookstore. Any prices shown are the publisher's Australian recommended price and may vary depending on where you shop. You are welcome to use these reviews for newsletters and the like with appropriate acknowledgement.

Dec 13, 2014

The croc and the platypus

Jackie Hosking, illustrated by Marjory Crosby-Fairall
Walker Books Australia
ISBN: 9781922077608           RRP: $24.95

By the second page the reader can recognise that this is a version of Edward Lear’s The owl and the pussycat. It’s a thoroughly Australian version as well, set in the outback, a rusty old Holden ute for a pea green boat, looking for a rock to camp near - where could that be? The words are narrative rather than nonsense in this version and the story is quite possible – given that it is a fantasy. The illustrations are skilfully drawn and designed, in a semi-realistic style using colours true to the red centre. This thoroughly entertaining book will appeal to Under 8 readers but please share Lear’s original as well.
Posted by at