The skunk

Mac Barnett, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
The Five Mile Press
ISBN: 9781760067823
RRP: $19.99

A skunk follows a man in a tuxedo around town – everywhere. Creepy. The man shakes him off – but soon starts to miss him. He races back the way he came, sees the skunk wandering alone. In the ultimate irony the man says, I think I will keep an eye on him/ And make sure he does not follow me again. This is a hilarious story. The text is droll, the illustrations minimalist in an all-round pokerfaced delivery. Adults will love to read it aloud and children will love to listen in.

Archie – no ordinary sloth

Heath McKenzie
The Five Mile Press
ISBN: 9781760067892
RRP: $19.95

This is a masterly ironic story of a sloth that saves his friends because he is different. He is full of vitality, always on the go - and the other sloths can’t take any more! Archie finds other animals with a difference - a zebra without stripes, a grumpy hyena and the arborous hippopotamus. Then along comes a tiger, to sneak down beside them and Archie’s unusual talents chase him away. Comical, zany illustrations are filled with Archie’s zeal. And yes, all talents are special. (Apparently there is no collective noun for sloths because they are solitary – too slow to keep up with each other I guess. Just joking!)

Spot and Stripe

Anna Shuttlewood
The Five Mile Press
ISBN: 9781760401405
RRP: $16.95

This bright and bubbly friendship story features Spot, the leopard and Stripe the zebra. Best friends, they do everything together; they especially enjoy sharing their different ways of doing things. When they try to look like each other though, it doesn’t work out. They lose their individuality and this is made obvious in the illustrations. Charming watercolours in pastel colours are enlivened in places with touches of fuller pigment adding warmth to the tale. The social references are easy to recognise; children won’t miss them. Spot and Stripe are so comfortable in each other’s company I’d like to think there will be more stories from them. We can only hope.

Books reviewed 18.02.16

 
No big stage musical today - just equal airplay for dogs and great books to boot.

Me, Teddy

Chris McKimmie
Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781760291334
RRP: $29.99

Teddy is a real black Labrador belonging to the author-illustrator’s family. Teddy likes to chew and has eclectic tastes. He likes his walkies and Brisbane locals will recognise some of his favourite places. Then there is the unabashed, unconditional loyalty and love from all sides of the family. The illustrations are chaotic and quirky, much in the style of Teddy’s outlook on life. Multimedia scraps, some contributed from the McKimmie family, scatter across the pages something like the parts of a room once a big dog has tail-wagged through. Perfect reading for a dog family.

My dog Bigsy

Alison Lester
Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9780670078936
RRP: $24.99

Bigsy is an adorable dog somewhere between a corgi and a Jack Russell. He’s a farm dog that loves to hear the noises of the animals as he races around on his stumpy legs. Is he chasing them or rounding them up? The rest of the time Bigsy is hanging out with Slinky, the other dog, and Mr Cat the... cat; and all of this before his young owner is out of bed. Then it starts over again. The simply drawn illustrations are upbeat and joyful, with cut-out figures collaged onto a colourful fabric background and open white space. No wonder Under 5s will want a Bigsy frolicking in their lives.