Swings + Roundabouts Spring 2021

Captain Cat By Joan Joass Illustrated by Bob Darroch Oratia Books; RRP: $19.99 Paperback Captain Cat is about the misadventures of a Dad who after a long day of fishing doesn’t tie up his boat properly, and the two family cats spy the fish bait and leap in to the dinghy, where it starts to float out into the estuary. It took a 12-year-old to see that things weren’t as they should be. ‘Hey look,’ he cried. ‘Just look at that! The skipper is … a ginger cat!' Before the watching adults knew what to do the neighbourhood children had placed the drifting cats on to social media... with the owners kayaking to save their wide-eyed moggies … This fun story is written with a rhyming text alongside vibrant and jam-packed illustrations and will be enjoyed from children 3+. Pear of Hope By Wenda Shurety Illustrated by Deb Hudson EK Books; RRP: $24.99 Hardback Pear of Hope is a subtle and gentle story about a young girl who gets seriously ill and her relationship with her environment, and in particular an old pear tree at the bottom of her garden. The tree gives the girl comfort and strength, particularly after she plants a seed from one of the tree’s pears. The book will inspire young children who are struggling with illness or other challenges, or if a loved one is suffering, with its focus on positivity, hope and the joy that nature can bring both in comfort and metaphorically the natural cycle which exists in plants, humans and animals. When the sun appeared, friends read together, pausing to listen to the buzz of pollen-laden bees or the pitter-patter of petals on pages. Alongside the lyrical text are beautifully whimsical and textured illustrations that will be enjoyed by children 4+. Batkiwi By Melinda Szymanik Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White Scholastic; RRP: $19.99 Paperback One night, as the moon rose high, a call came over the bush telegraph, tweet by tweet, from tree to tree. ‘Help! Emergency! We need a hero!' Kiwi ran as fast as his sturdy legs could carry him. He was pretty fast … but he wasn’t fast enough. Kiwi is a wannabe hero, who after hearing the cry for help, does his best to help, but can never run fast enough, nor fly or climb up trees. That is, until Kiwi meets Bat, who offers Kiwi assistance, suggesting that, ‘Two are always stronger than one' the voice replied, 'and everyone needs a friend.' And Batkiwi is created! Batkiwi will be enjoyed by young children as Kiwi determinedly keeps trying to be a hero, despite the odds against his physical prowess, and learns along the way that if we work together we often can achieve more! The stunning vibrant illustrations illuminate the night forest, and the creatures and fauna who reside in there will also draw the young listener in. For children 3+. September 2021 { 38 }