Swings + Roundabouts Autumn 2021

WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND? By Sam McBratney Illustrated by Anita Jeram Walker Books; RRP: $27.00 Hardback Will You Be My Friend is the sequel to the celebrated picture book Guess How Much I Love You . This new addition follows Little Nutbrown Hare who goes exploring on his own while Big Nutbrown Hare is busy. On this adventures Little Nutbrown Hare meets a new hare and it follows the wonderful experience of making a new friend. This light hearted story is just as sweet as its predecessor, and shares the same warmth and magic. It’s an easy to read story, accompanied by stunning, dreamy watercolour-esque illustrations. The book through combination of its words and images gives life to the warm emotions experienced when developing new friendships, by being light but exciting, funny, but not in an over exaggerated manner, and makes the emotions easily translatable to its young audience. This will be an easy favourite to those who already have fond memories of these characters from Guess How Much I Love You , but I believe it is a book that could be cherished by any young audience, even those who are not already familiar. I would recommend this book for one-on-one or small groups as the story is best enjoyed alongside close viewing of its images. It would make a great addition to any learning centre or home. Reviewed by Fern Marie WHAT WE’LL BUILD: PLANS FOR OUR TOGETHER FUTURE By Oliver Jeffers Harper Collins; RRP: $29.99 Hardback What We’ll Build: Plans for Our Together Future by bestselling author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers is a beautiful and tender love letter between father and daughter. It’s a short and simply told story with a big heartwarming impact. This book will be an instant favourite to readers. It’s an easy to read but beautifully told story about the future that a father and daughter will build together. The illustrations are bright and will captivate their audience and hold them in the beautiful moment this book creates. While being a book that is heartfelt at its core it remains fun and light-hearted, keeping a smile upon attentive readers' faces the whole way through. Relatable and touching for any parent or child. A book that creates a beautiful atmosphere that many books try but fail to achieve and will build young readers emotional intelligence. This book is a perfect addition to a learning centre or home and would be great for both groups and one-on- one reading. Reviewed by Fern Marie MY BUM IS SO NOISY! By Dawn McMillan Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird Oratia Books; RRP: $19.99 Paperback My Bum is so Noisy! is the latest book to be released in the laugh-out-loud ‘Bum Series’. In this book, the struggle is a bum that is making strange noises. There is tooting and hooting, burping and slurping, and popping and squeaking. Despite the disgust of others, the boy's Mum and Dad still love him, which is a nice touch and then he is talent- spotted… My bum’s in the movies. I am SO proud. My bum makes the noises, gentle and loud. Just the right noises to go with the story… Like BIG booming explosions to with the glory. Children, 3+ who enjoy toilet talk will love this story with it’s hilarious text and comical illustrations. March 2021 { 40 }