CHILDREN’S BOOKS Feast for looking, listening, thinking

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 12

CHILDREN’S BOOKS Feast for looking, listening, thinking

Pfl« i CiUDf

by

MAVIS AIREY

My young friend Margaret came to stay during the holidays. Short of entertainment on a wet day, she pounced on a box of children’s books waiting to be reviewed. By the end of the afternoon, her notes covered three pages. I was impressed!

As an adult, it’s easy to let your reactions to children’s books be coloured by adult perceptions of worth — a wise or witty storyline; educational value; imaginative illustrations which become an integral part of the story, carrying on where the words leave off — if only because you know how much young children love repetition, and selfpreservation dictates you want to be able to enjoy the twentieth reading, too! It takes a special talent to produce such . gems, which give lasting satisfaction to both child and parents. And one of the delights of parenthood, I think, is discovering — and ' rediscovering — them together. Our copies of Beatrix Potter, Winnie the Pooh, and the Narnia books are dog-eared and much-

thumbed, a testament to their staying power as bedtime enchanters over the years. But I know from experience that some children’s books, adored by me, have bored my children; by the same token, they have treasured some little volumes which drove me to distraction. So I was interested to see Margaret’s reactions to this pile of picture books. Her comments, I thought, were perceptive and lively. This is what she wrote.

“Rebecca’s Babies” by Jenny Hessell, illustrated by Mandy Nelson (Century Hutchinson, $19.95).

“This book is true to life. A charming book with beautiful illustrations and a sure-fire hit with kids who ask the same question as Rebecca: where do babies come from? Rebecca has a lovely imagination, and so does the author!”

“Joe Eats Bugs” by Susanna Gretz (Hutchinson, $15.95). “A classic bully tale which ends happily with everybody sharing. I love happy endings. A beauti-

ful book for any kids who do, too.” “Herbie Dances” by Charlotte van Ernst (Hutchinson, $19.95). “ ‘Herbie Dances’ is a book that I enjoyed immensely. Everybody says ‘Ballet is sissy’ but Herbie overcomes this and has a happy ending. The book is a delightful mixture of happy and sad and reactions which are often very real.” “Pull ’n’ Push Opposites” by Alan Snow (Collins, $16.95).

“This is a book for children aged about five to six. It is good for children at the very start of reading and is nice and colourful. Stronger than most moveable books, but it could still get damaged quite easily.”

“Where’s the Halloween Treat?” by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Richard Brown (Picture Puffin, $7.99). “All kids love things that move. This book is no exception. It is a bouncy book with bright, cheerful pictures, although when I read it I felt rather strongly the impending American influence. As

Halloween is not widely celebrated in New Zealand, I feel it is a bit inappropriate. However, this is still a book to be enjoyed by children learning to read or still younger, being read to and learning to count.” “Three Cheers for Errol” by Babette Cole (Mallinson Rendel, $16.95). “A non-brainy mouse could easily become a children’s favourite character. The pictures are fun to look at but there is a certain element of truth in it which may be a bit beyond some children. “When Dad Fills in the Garden Pond” by Pam Ayres, illustrated by Graham Percy (Walker Books/Macdonald, $24.95). “An enchanting book, wonderfully told and illustrated. My personal favourite and a book which should be on every bookshelf!”

“Who’s a Clever Baby, Then” by David McKee (Andersen, $19.95). “An enjoyable book. Kids will enjoy it, too, with a funny enough story line and interesting pic-

tures. A tricky baby is certainly understandable.” “Let’s Go Shopping, Ned” by Pam ZinnemannHope, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton (Walker Books/Macdonald, $5.99). “For children aged six to seven. Rhyming makes it easier to read. A fun book for kids.”

I found myself agreeing with almost all Margaret’s assessments, although I think even younger children would enjoy “Let’s Go Shopping, Ned” and “Push *n’ Pull Opposites.” I also liked the way it was dad who took Ned shopping. As a ballet-loving adult I, too, applauded Charlotte van Ernst’s efforts to overcome prejudice, but I couldn’t get over a sneaking suspicion that she didn’t really know much about her subject. I also applaud the fact, which Margaret would not have known, that "Rebecca’s Babies” is a New Zealand book, with international appeal. The ending is left open for parents to explain, in their own words, where babies do actually come from.