The Ricker Racker Club by Patrick Guest illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom

Rules of the Ricker Racker Club

1. Be a boy
2. Girls can join but only on Tuesdays
3. Do something incredibly brave or kind at least once a week

Brothers Max and Ollie invent their club, the rules, the secret handshake, password and mascot - a turtle named Albert. 

Poppy, their sister, would like to join this club. She is a smart smart smart girl! She is just like the suffragettes of history with their slogan "Deeds not Words". Poppy watches more and more boys join the club. Each day she quietly follows rule number three. She gives her two brothers

• two scoops of her jelly and ice cream
• cleans their bedroom
• promises to eat their vegetables for a month
• and she gives them her tooth fairy money

In the fifth week Albert, the turtle mascot, wanders into danger. The five boys try to save him but it is clever Poppy who knows just what to do. Poppy does something incredibly brave. At last the boys can see Poppy should join their club - they even make her their Queen.

I don't know how I missed this Australian children's picture book in 2016. Sadly this book is now out of print but I am sure it will be found in many Australian primary school libraries. I wonder why it was not included in the CBCA Notables of 2017 and from there the short list? Yes it is that good.

I love that this tale has an olden-day feel to it--of outdoor adventure and acts of bravery and excitement … Kids Book Review

So much to like in this book; the rhythm of the text, the bountiful illustrations, the well defined characters and the strong messages of acceptance and empathy. Reading Time

Lamont have written a set of teachers notes. If you have a Story Box library subscription you can view the whole book. You can see other books illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom here.