Tilly’s Treasure

by Sue Walker, illustrated by Chantal Stewart

Puffin (a subsidiary of Penguin) (Aussie Nibbles). Junior, Young Reader, Australian. Paperback, rrp $12.95

Guest Reviewer Jo Burnell

How can Tilly ever compete in a world that thrives on the latest sensation? Her classmates are forever bringing new gadgets to school. The constant focus is on what is fancier and better.

What do you do when these things are out of your reach? Is there any chance of being accepted? Is that the only way to make friends? Tilly tries to keep up with the other girls, but her things are never quite good enough. Her hula hoop is mended with sticky tape and her skipping rope is stained with oil.

What does it take to belong? Creativity is far more interesting and fun than bling could ever be. It just takes some people a while to realise. Tilly’s Treasure has a lasting message that will echo in the heart long after the book is closed. Such depth of storyline is rare in an early reader. Sue Walker has truly created a timeless treasure.

http://www.suewalkerauthor.com/

The Reading Stack has reviewed two of Chantal Stewart's illustrated books I Spy Mum and I Spy Dad.

I Spy Mum!

by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Chantal Stewart

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture Book. Hardcover rrp $24.95

On the first page is a young boy in a sailor’s suit atop a boat’s mast with a telescope to his eye searching the seas for his mum.

'I spy with my little eye mums all starting with m.
But can I find the one who’s mine?’

From baking mum to dabble-drawing mum, slip-slap-sliding mum to ding-a-linging mum, there are lots of mums for this boy to see. Is one of these mums the right one for him?

Children, both boys and girls, will love the characters and they may even spot their own mother in the wonderful illustrations by Stewart. As a mother I searched for myself in a few of the mums and found that my son did the same – from the colour of their hair, to even a pattern on their clothes.

A delightful book for young children to investigate and read, cuddled together with their mums..

Brian and Stewart’s I Spy Dad! was reviewed by The Reading Stack in October 2009.

http://www.janeenbrian.com/