Andrew Joyner

Australian author/artist Andrew Joyner follows the journey of a pink hat in this picture-book tribute to the Women's March of 2017. Knit into existence by a little old lady, the hat's journey begins when it is grabbed by a cat. Passing along through the hands of a variety of owners and users, whether human or animal, the hat eventually ends up in the possession of a little girl who, happening to wear it out the door one day, finds herself in an immense crowd of marchers also wearing pink show more hats...

Although I found The Pink Hat quite engaging, both as an entertaining story in its own right, and as an adorably-illustrated picture-book, somehow, as a response to the Women's March of this past year, it felt rather lacking. As Joyner notes in his brief afterword, this multinational day of protest was one of the largest political demonstrations in human history. I would have loved a picture-book that highlighted some of the underlying causes of the march, and the ideas the marchers were trying to promote. Perhaps something that offered snippets about different marchers, in different parts of the world? In any case, while I do believe the intention here was good, and while I did find the artwork appealing, this ended up feeling like nothing so much as a sweet tale about the journey of a hat, with a little side dish of politics piggybacking along at the end. Surely, if the march was such a significant moment in history, it deserved better than being a side-note in what felt like another story altogether? show less

A woman knits a pink hat for herself but when her mischievous kitten accidentally knocks it out the window, it cycles through many people and various uses. Finally it ends up back as a hat on the head of a little girl joining a Women's March demonstration.

This was a great book on many levels. I enjoyed the spare color palette using shades of grays with the occasional pop of hot pink whenever the hat was near. The book shows how even in a large city, people can be connected in ways they are show more unaware of, as we see characters from the beginning of the book show up again later. The hat being used in various ways depending on the current owner is a great example of re-use and thinking creatively. The ending with the Women's March can lead to a discussion about the reasons behind this political and human rights demonstration -- or not. The caregiver reading this with a child can decide how much is appropriate to share with a child based on her or his level of understanding. show less

Some popular authors stagnate, unable to move past their popular picture book characters. Others are able to grow and try new things.

This has never been a problem for Jonathan London - best-known for his classic Froggy series, he's a prolific author of many picture books, nonfiction, even a middle grade novel. My personal favorites are his Hippo picture books and one of his latest nonfiction titles, Otters Love to Play. Australian author and illustrator Andrew Joyner is also a versatile show more creator whose retro-style cartoons decorate many picture books and his own beginning chapter book series, Boris, a popular series in my library.

So, I was not surprised to be delighted and amused by their collaboration. Oddball friends Duck and Hippo are out for a walk in a rainstorm. But their different sizes - and temperaments - cause some problems, especially when they run into crocodiles, a pond, and a gusty wind! Fortunately, they are both good at figuring out solutions and compromise and work together to get through their adventures and back home, safe and sound.

Joyner's colorful, bright pictures are the perfect accompaniment to this classic but fresh pair of friends. Bright splashes of red, rain-washed greens, and stormy skies surround the two on their cozy adventures. The text is a little longer than I'd usually choose for a toddler storytime, but the repetition of phrases and the predictable rise and fall of the plot will hold even wiggly little ones in thrall.

Verdict: Classic but fresh, this is sure to be a delightful addition to your storytime repertoire and collection - and a gentle reminder of the importance of getting along with friends. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781503937239; Published 2017 by Two Lions; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Why yes, I am cleaning out my to be reviewed list.

This was one of my favorite discoveries a few years ago. An Australian import, it's a delightful story in swinging rhyme with equally entrancing pictures.

A happy band of rabbits are gulping down carrots and chocolate cake by the lake (really more a big pond) when suddenly...there's a TERRIBLE PLOP! Their panic sets off a mass flight and soon the rabbits, a fox, pig, elephant, tiger, and more are all fleeing from the terrible plop. Then they show more encounter a rather cynical bear, who doesn't think anything, even a terrible plop, is as strong and scary as him! This time, a little rabbit realizes the secret of the plop - but not until the bear has been just as silly as everyone else!

The clues in the text and pictures will easily key children in to the solution of the mystery at the beginning of the book, so they'll be able to snicker along as all the animals flee from nothing much at all.

Andrew Joyner's are just plain fun with cartoon animals and backgrounds and the occasional grab your eye collage piece, like an elaborate knife for the chocolate cake. He does a great job adding hints to the text about the mystery and showing the growing panic of the various animals.

Verdict: A fun story with a moral about confronting your fears that's not too heavily emphasized. This is a favorite storytime choice for my library as well as a top read-aloud pick for parents.

ISBN: 9780374374280; Published August 2009 by Farrar Straus Giroux; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less