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.

Feb 22, 2015

Augustus and his smile

Catherine Raynor

Little Tiger Press
ISBN: 9781845062828           RRP: $15.99 (pbk)


International Book Giving Day seems an ideal time to introduce this uplifting book to a new generation of early readers. Augustus feels he has lost his smile so he sets about finding it. A long stretch to start and then he is away, under shrubs, in the trees, over mountains and into the oceans. His smile eludes him but he is enjoying his adventures, and the reader sees something change. Then the rains pour and as Augustus leaps around the puddles, he finds his smile again. Ah! The joy of living. It’s a profound message told in a quiet, uncomplicated text. Especially arresting are the playful illustrations in spontaneous watercolour splashings and bold tiger colouring that portray a regal creature in a mischievous mood. Share this affable, gracious story with the under 5s.
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