Yvonne Morrison

The concept is good and the story and illustrations are amusing and humorous. It's been written in poetry, and sustaining rhythm and rhyme in a children's book as long as this can be very challenging. It's a challenge that the author doesn't quite meet, as some of the rhythms aren't consistent. This sounds jarring to me, but probably won't be an issue to most.
This book is a little longer than the average picture book and because of this, some advanced vocabulary and the storyline, it's show more probably better suited to older picture book readers. Additionally, while I'm sure it wasn't intended this way, some of the illustrations might be scary for some more sensitive kids. show less

A laugh from the first page: 'My Gramma is funny. When I stay at her house, I ask, "Can I have a biscuit?" and she says, "May I have a biscuit."' This book tells of the banter between a child and her grandmother as Gramma tries to correct the child's grammar. This is similar to what happens in my family between a grandparent and grandchildren. Will they ever learn!

I took this book out of the library after hearing the illustrator, Nikki Slade Robinson, speak at the 2012 BOOKRAPT seminar in show more Tauranga. Knowing the story behind the illustrations made reading the book all the more wonderful, and they are lovely illustrations. I think her little girl is fantastic, wonderfully quirky and fits the story perfectly. The cover is appealing and the layout is great. A delightful little book. show less

The rhyming story, a New Zealand equivalent of "Down in the Meadow" is fun and also educational, but it is the illustrations by Jenny Cooper that really make this book a delight. Her charming, whimsical art brings our wildlife to life.

The Australian version of the Country Mouse and the City Mouse. Jack is a country possum who loves the rest and sunsets. Jess is his cousin the city possum. She likes the food from rubbish bins, the excitement and the pace of a busy city. The anamorphic possums are delightful and McKenzie captures some amazing facial expressions that gave me a giggle. Morrison has made this Australian fable into a verse, with a steady rhythm and rhyming on the end of each line aa bb etc.