The Rainbow by Gary Crew illustrated by Gregory Rogers

"My plans seemed alright when I drew them, but I soon notices that my design was too complicated for the boys to follow. So, after a few arguments, 

we agreed to make it up as we went along."

"By the time the sandwiches were gone we were ready to launch the boat. I had bought a tin of purple paint that my mother didn't want and a brush ... so I painted the name Audrey on the front. I named it after myself, since it was my idea to build it."

The first thing to notice about this book is the slightly fuzzy or out of focus illustrations which emphasise the nostalgic feel of this story which recounts the memory of a past summer spent 'mucking about' on the river - just three kids - Geoffrey, Bruce and Audrey (our narrator).

The boys are perhaps young enough to accept a girl into their group and luckily for them she is the brains of the operation. 

"A creek runs through the bush near our house. On summer afternoons, my brother Geoffrey and his friend Bruce - an me of course - go down there to see what we can do. ... The footpath on the highway is the best place to see the creek after heavy rain in the hills."

The kids decide (without much discussion) to build a boat.

"I had prepared the drawings for this vessel during the week, getting my inspiration from the book Robinson Crusoe which Mrs Chamberlain had been reading to our class. Mrs Chamberlain is the best teacher I ever had at reading aloud. She reads with expression but isn't ridiculous like some teachers who overdo it ... "

Amazingly their boat does float and so the trio follow the creek on their adventure not knowing they will make a slightly disturbing discovery and not knowing this will be their last summer as kids who just 'muck about' together. 

Gary Crew says so much in this story but never directly - readers are left to join the dots. Audrey recalls her father using the expression 'sweet as a nut' - this is in the past tense so it is clear her father is no longer with the family. The kids take their boat to the tip and the way Audrey talks about this you know this is also an ending of this part of their lives - perhaps an ending of their childhoods. 

The title links with two parts of the story or maybe three (if you think about nostalgia or seeing the world through 'rose tinted' glasses). The kids reach a tiny weir on the river and the way the water is splashing in the sunlight it looks like a shimmering rainbow. Later, on her own, Audrey finds a crystal - a piece of quartz near where the kids originally built their boat. 

"And, when I held it to the sun, all the colours of the rainbow beamed onto my shirt, like the rainbow over the water, down by the weir."

Gary Crew and Gregory Rogers come together for the first time since the highly acclaimed Lucy's Bay to create this poetic picture book. For Audrey, the journey 'down the creek' in her tiny boat is one that marks not only the myriad changes to the physical environment she passes, but a journey within herself. She comes face to face with death, the challenges of growing up and the need to accept and move on from loss. Fantastic Fiction

The Rainbow is a quiet book - it would be good to share this with one child or a small group perhaps just before the summer holidays. I found this book at a recent charity book sale - I was so surprised because I somehow totally missed this book back in 2001. You might be lucky and find a copy in a library here in Australia. Gary Crew was our IBBY Australia Hans Christian Andersen nominee in 2024. 

Companion book:

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis

Gary Crew has won numerous prizes and awards include CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers for Strange Objects and Angel's Gate (1991 and 1994) which also received widespread international recognition; CBCA Honour Book for Memorial (2000), CBCA Picture Book of the Year for First Light (1994); CBCA Picture Book of the Year for The Watertower (1995); The Lost Diamonds of Killiecrankie was a notable book in 1996. He is also the author of The Viewer and Mama's Babies, which were CBCA Notable Books for 1998 and 1999 respectively. Gary was the editor of the After Dark series and author of the picture books Bright Star, Troy Thompson's Excellent Peotry Book, Troy Thompson's Radical Prose Folio, Leo The Lion Tamer and Valley of Bones.

Gregory Rogers studied fine art at the Queensland College of Art. He worked in the public service for many years before taking up illustration in 1987. He illustrated scores of book covers and children's picture books, including Tracks by Gary Crew and four titles in the Lothian After Dark series: The Bent-Back Bridge, The Island, The Rings and The Fort. In 1995 Gregory became the first Australian artist to win the Kate Greenaway Medal for his illustrations in Way Home. He died in 2013.

How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen illustrated by Sally Deng

"Pack a package of Goldfish crackers and a bottle of water.

The water is for you.

Mermaids have quite enough water for their own needs.

The crackers are to share."

Mermaids are a popular topic with younger readers and dare I say mostly girls. Jane Yolen does not specify the gender of this adventurer because the story is told by an off-stage narrator. It is illustrator Sally Deng who has interpreted the book so to my eye the child could be a girl or a boy. You can see inside this book here.

Publisher blurb: Would you like to spot a mermaid? If so, you will need a few supplies and a great deal of patience. As we learn in these informative illustrated pages, mermaids are very shy and do not make friends easily. But if you find a place near the water, sit very still, and are willing to share your Goldfish crackers, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one. And who knows . . . there may even be a mermaid, somewhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of you, too!

You will have fun when you read this book aloud because it contains the word 'fishetarians' which means they eat fish - so "try not to look like a fish." Also, actually most mermaids are vegetarians which means they eat kelp and "kelp looks like brown pasta". There is a mermaid hiding on nearly every page - readers will see this but the boy or girl keeps looking the wrong way. 

I was pleased to find this book in a public library a couple of weeks ago. It was only published in April 2025 which means this library does add new books and not only Australian titles and it might also mean someone is keeping an eye out for popular topics like mermaids. And of course, all libraries need books by master storyteller Jane Yolen author of over 400 books. 

Deng’s lovely pictures depict diverse mermaids in flowing, sea-green swaths, swimming, diving, and even waving to a potential (human) friend. A sweet addition to mermaid lore. Kirkus

In a few weeks I will be talking again about Sally Deng. She is the illustrator of a brilliant new book by Katherine Paterson about Jella Lepman the founder of IBBY.

A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup

"A little star shines brightly through the bedroom window. It shines down on a sleepless mind, spinning with restless thoughts. Follow me, whispers the star, 
and I will help you to find a happy place."

This book begs to be read aloud with words like tippy-toed squirrel, bushy-tailed fox, long-eared hare and starry-eyed stoats. Perfect for a preschool group or a young reading companion aged 4+.

In a few months I will be talking to a small group of local Teacher-Librarians. One of the things I want to share is the importance of sharing the BEST picture books from around the world both for their stories but even more for the way picture books give children of all ages (from youngest up to young adult) an experience of some of the best art in the world.

Nighttime is one of Teckentrup’s specialties, and this gently soothing tale is no exception; it’s sure to have little ones on their way to the sweetest of dreams in no time. Dreamlike, quiet, delightful. Kirkus

A Happy Place is another triumph by Britta Teckentrup and her artwork provides a perfect backdrop to the text. It is calm and comforting, full of nature and little details that can be pored over and explored. Just Imagine

Hopefully you have one or two books in your school library illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Her art is simply incredible. A Happy Place has flaps and die-cut pages so I was amazed to discover it is not too expensive in paperback [9781838916596]. Pop the name Britta Teckentrup into my side bar or click the label on this post to see more of her books.

Finding You by Robert Vescio illustrated by Hannah Sommerville

As the story opens we see a young boy in a sepia city scene. He is in a bright yellow jumper (bright pops of canary yellow symbolise hope and warmth) and he is looking across the page which means our eye follows his line of sight to the facing page where we see a small dog. The dog glows a little under soft spot light. 

"I watch you from afar. Roaming lost and alone."

The boy befriends the small stray dog and he gently ties a red polka dot scarf around his neck. Now the new friends begin their adventure across the city. Parts of this reminded me of Mutt Dog by Stephen Michael King. See images at the bottom of this post.

Then the pair arrive at a crossroad. One way is dark and cold and the other is light and full of colour. In a joyous moment the pup takes the colourful path to the boy's home but this is where this book takes a strange twist because we see a small dog house in the garden, and in the boy's bedroom there are photos of the boy and his little dog so was this all just a game of imagination? Did this pup already live with this little boy and they were just having a day of adventures?

This book is a beautiful example of a book which has illustrations which interpret and extend the text in a wonderful way. If I was using this book with a group of children I would be tempted to begin with a reading of the text without the illustrations. I think this would be a great way to see both the interpretation of the text by the illustrator and also to realise the way these illustrations are invested with such enormous emotion. Readers need to ‘join the dots’. 

And there are beautiful word choices in this story - the page above for example has "scratchy lavender fields"; "crunchy carpeted forests"; "creaky knotted trees"; and "springy moss hills". 

In this book, the title and title page are so important. The child finds the red and white polka dot scarf on the footpath. Then he uses the familiar object to lure his pup. As they near home there is an illustration filled with colour and light – rather like walking into heaven. When the pair arrive home, we see, as I said already, a dog house. The dog has come home and he is so loved.  

On the page ‘I show you different things, places to amaze’ Hannah Sommerville has added a wealth of ideas. If you look closely, you can see the forest is inside a greenhouse. But the words are not really simple they have been written with enormous care. The page turns are perfectly paced and paced. What does the count down on the calendar represent? There are so many delicious extra details in the illustrations which readers will enjoy re-visiting and the changes of perspective add so much interest and intimacy

This is an intriguing book which can be read on many levels. Is it about homelessness or belonging or making choices? The story is open-ended and the pacing allows the reader to pause, where needed, to explore the ideas and illustrations. 

Here are some review comments:

Short, sharp sentences pack a mighty punch as the narrator tells of his journey where the pair met, and connected, for the first time. Alone in the harsh, bustling streets where ‘no one seems to notice’. While it’s cold and unsheltered from the weather, a smile brings warmth to his heart. The boy and the dog find adventure, accented by Sommerville’s alluring illustrations – the warmth and energy found amongst her textured, linen-quality paint, line and etched mixture of moving sequences and full page spreads. Beautifully moody backgrounds of deep greys, purples, greens and browns always glistening with the pops of bright yellow in the boy’s top. From sunshine to storms, we can feel their closeness tightening with the formation of a very special bond. Just Kids Lit

There is an underlying theme in this story which seems to be about a small boy and his dog on an adventure – or not. It also mirrors the story of  how a newcomer might feel roaming and lost and choosing whether to take the dark and cold or the light and colourful ‘road’ until you find the perfect place to live. Child Mags

Finding You, masterfully written by Robert Vescio and exquisitely illustrated by Hannah Sommerville is a heartfelt, tender story about new beginnings and how these often involve courage and being open to possibilities. It’s a story about the beauty in the unexpected, the journey of friendship, unbreakable bonds that form between people and pets as well as being compassionate to the vulnerable members in our community. Reading opens doors

A richly layered story resonating with themes of homelessness, companionship, love, adventure, family and more. Storylinks

Here are some brief teachers notes.

Hannah Sommerville is the illustrator of the CBCA Early Childhood winner last year - Jetty Jumping. Robert Vescio is an Australian author. He lives in Sydney, NSW. His new book due later this year is Nature's Song.  Here are a few of his books:

Here is the cover and an illustration from Mutt Dog which would be the perfect companion read and the scene with the box from Finding You for comparison.

Please bring Balloons by Lindsay Ward

 

As it says on the dust jacket: "For anyone who has ever imagined what it would be like to ride a carousel animal right off its platform, this enchanting story is your chance - happy travels!" I just wish this book was not out of print because it is a sheer delight.

A little girl finds a note under the saddle of the polar bear on the carousel. She takes a red balloon and ties a red balloon. "I hope you like red,' she whispered." The next day the note says please bring more balloons. She ties these to the polar bear and they are up and away. They drift through starry skies and arrive in the land of ice and snow. The discover the polar bear rumpus and a wild night ensues. After a terrific night they travel safely home. The next day, though, there is another note under the saddle on the polar bear - clearly more adventures await.

There’s pull out pages and such a fun combination of colors and patterns that it’s very difficult for the reader not to enjoy themselves. Absolutely stunning and truly unique, this was a phenomenal read. Home Grown Reader

Make sure you check the end papers. In this post Lindsay Ward talks about her book.  I'm very keen to see other books by Lindsay Ward.

Hike by Pete Oswald

 

Like the woods, this book is an immersive experience 

that invites repeated visits. Kirkus Star review

It’s a book to read slowly — and read repeatedly. 

Seven Impossible things Before Breakfast

Let's go on a hike.  We've been on a hike before so we know what we need to pack - binoculars; camera; snacks; drinks; rope; hard hats; and walking sticks. BUT why are we hiking?

• To see beautiful places
• To marvel at scenery
• For exercise
• To spend time with each other (father and child)
• To enjoy the great outdoors
• For an adventure

All of these are legitimate reasons but in Hike this pair, father and child, have an extra purpose. If you take a look at the quilt cover on the child's bed you get a small hint. It is covered in a forest of trees. In his bedroom the child has been reading a book - How to Plant a Tree. Do make sure you look at the very last page to see how tree planting has become a family tradition.

Hike is not quite a "silent"  or wordless book although it does appear on most book lists under this heading. 

Here are some of the words used in this book:  miaow; zip; click (coat fastening); munch; knock knock knock (woodpecker); click (camera); cheers; purr.

Plus there are books, labels, posters, signs and words in books such as Black Bear; milk; family album; How to plant a tree; Climbs; Bugs; Expore; Wild; Adventure; Vincent shoes; Anderson Fizz; and Will sports.

I am listing all of these to show that in the context of the IBBY Silent book collection this book probably would not be selected because the intention of this project is:

a collection of silent books (wordless picture books) that could be understood and enjoyed by children regardless of language.

Here is part of a report by IBBY New Zealand who hosted the silent book exhibition in 2020

One thing we noticed as we engaged with the books and spent time with them and visitors to the exhibition, was that not having words allowed us to slow down and spend time noticing details in the illustrations. We also learned how much language is generated when collaborating to make a story from the pictures; quite an irony for a supposedly ‘silent’ picture book. From our experiences we now understand even more clearly how powerful these books will be for generating stories and language from children and adults arriving in Lampedusa with multiple languages.

Even though Hike might not be selected by IBBY it is a truly splendid wordless book to share and re-read many times.  Here is an interview with Pete Oswald where he talks about wordless books and his ideas for Hike. So I tried to make the child more gender neutral. Since this is a wordless book I didn’t have to say ‘he’ or ’she.’ I felt like this idea could work. So the child has cropped hair, a green backpack and wears a pink beanie with knee high socks.

Here is a video of the whole book.

Here are some other books illustrated by Pete Oswald:

Pete Oswald mentioned the illustrator Miroslav Sašek (1916-1980) as someone he admires:

Finally you might like to watch this video made with a gentle sound track and a very personal story commentary.