Sometimes I wonder whether picture books are written for us the adults too, or whether something just resonates with us that it just feels that way. This is how this book was for me, first of all I loved it – its hard not to love Aaron Blabey books – and second I think we have all had or have a guff in our lives whether it be a fabric or human friend.
I love this book, and was very excited to read this to one of my baby storytime groups just recently where it was well received by all. In fact, the babies were so attentive to the book and I had never seen anything like it before for such an age group.
I love that Elizabeth does the occasional review for us, and I am very glad that I gave her this book to review because the message that came out of it is beautiful and on point for tween girls and boys.
I have chosen to share this book with you because I think it is one of those little gems that people may dismiss as just being a sticker book when it is actually so much more. This book not only supports literacy development but also fine motor skills, colour recognition and the ability to pattern and number match.
Gary received Honours in the category Book of the Year: Early Childhood and I agree that it totally deserves to be mentioned. The winner, Go Home, Cheeky Animals! and Gary couldn’t be any more different, both telling unique and engaging stories but their illustrations completely opposite.
Congratulations to Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley on their win in the category Book of the Year: Early Childhood. I can see why this won in its category, the story is impacting and the illustrations are on a whole other level, their childlike nature is mesmerising. The pictures give me a real sense of Canteen Creek and those cheeky animals.
