Reviews: Three NZ Picture Books

Here is a selection of three New Zealand picture books especially for my kiwi readers...

'Hill & Hole' by Kyle Mewburn and Vasanti Unka

This is a delightfully simple story which tells of two friends, Hill and Hole, who decide one day they would like to swap places and live like the other for a while. With the help of some other friends their wish comes true and they begin to see the world in a whole new way! Effectively illustrated with a surprising twist at the end of the story.

'The Moon and Farmer McPhee' by Margaret Mahy and David Elliot

This story tells of a grumpy farmer who wants his animals to be quiet at night..but the moon is up and they are dancing away and creating a great hullaballoo in its silvery light! In anger he whisks them away to the barn and orders them to go to sleep so that he can have a peaceful night's rest...however he is taken aback by the surprise that awaits him outside the barn doors. A beautifully illustrated picture book that children will want to have read to them time and time again.

'Alf Red's Broccoli Rocket' by Simon Clearwater and Andrew Dopheide

This picture book tells the lyrical story of Alf who decides to design himself a rocket out of old food and string. Showing off that 'kiwi ingenuity', his work is a true masterpiece. He hides his latest invention from prying eyes and tempted tummies only to be discovered by his brother Ted who decides in the middle of the night to give it a test flight to the moon. Awaking to find both his rocket and his brother are missing, Alf plans a rescue mission to the moon in the hope of saving Ted. The tale of the boys' adventure is told throughout the book in rhyme and children will love the illustrations and may even be dared to become inventors themselves one day.