Pocket Treasure by Wenda Shurety illustrated by Juliana Oakley

Allira loves her dress with pockets because she can carry her precious things, keep her hands warm and give her a place to store all the treasures she finds along the way:

"But best of all, her pockets were perfect for holding treasures inside, like sparkly trinkets, garden gifts, and many special bits and bobs."

Then over the following pages we see Allira give each of these bits and bobs to her class mates - acts of generosity and spontaneous kindness. By playtime, though, her pockets are empty and Allira really wants to decorate the huge mud cake she has made for her teacher's birthday. Now think of the expression 'one good turn deserves another'. Each of Allira's friends come to the rescue offering things from their own pockets to decorate the cake. Oh and the teacher has the most affirming and perfect reaction when she sees her cake. Then you can go back and look at the illustration where all her pocket contents are scattered around Allira - it would be fun to match these with each child and then identify the reason for her gift. 

At the start of this book I thought here we go again - another book about girls who like clothes with pockets [I always love my pockets] BUT then I discovered this book is SO much more. And this will sound unpatriotic but I was amazed to discover this book is Australian. I have not heard of either the author or the illustrator before today.

Wanda Shurety from Booktopia: Born in London, Wenda Shurety travelled extensively as part of her studies to become a research scientist before developing a love of writing stories for children. She now lives in Brisbane. Pocket Treasure is Wenda's second picture book with Affirm Press, following the successful Backyard Magic.

Juliana Oakley is an illustrator from Latvia based in Bahrain.

I do hope Affirm Press have entered this book for the 2024 Children's Book of the Year award [Early Childhood] because I think this book could easily make the Notable list. The final end paper, which defines each of the children's names and how this relates to the word treasure, truly adds a layer of delight to this story.

As I said this book is about so much more than pockets but that topic could be a fun mini theme in a preschool so here are some other books to explore:

A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray illustrated by Jenny Løvlie

Aunt Augusta takes Lucy shopping for a new dress. They go to the Fabulous Fashion Store and the manager proceeds to show a myriad of fancy dresses to Lucy. It is scene adults might link with the shopping one in Pretty Woman.

Apart from the title, there is a huge hint about Lily and her need for pockets when you look at the end papers - they are filled with tiny bits n' pieces perfect for placing in pockets!

"Sun dresses, fun dresses, blue dresses, green. Titchy dresses, witchy dresses, very very itchy dresses! Swirly-twirly-whirly dresses, fit for a queen.

Finally after all the flurry of over the top dresses, Lucy whispers her true desire - a dress with pockets! Lucy is an outdoor girl. She collects bugs, beetles, shells, feathers and leaves. Pockets are essential. 

Luckily the shop keeper has just the right dress - although I was hoping he might suggest something different such as pair of overalls or jeans. Anyway, Lily is delighted and so is Aunt Augusta - in fact they take two of these dresses - one each. 

It is fun to think about the way the author uses her own name for her young character. 

Gently whimsical and humorous, and underscored with a subtle feminist message, this is a joyous ‘read it again’ book and one that if shared with more than one child at a time, must be taken sufficiently slowly to allow for enjoying the wealth of detail and ongoing canine capers shown in every scene. Red Reading Hub

Jenny Løvlie is originally from Norway. She now lives in the UK. Here is her web site. 

Pockets are so useful and I find now, when I always need to carry a face mask (Covid), I appreciate pants and dresses with pockets even more.

Here are some other books about pockets - you could perhaps include this as a mini library theme:

Keep a poem in your pocket by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Keep a poem in your pocket

and a picture in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed

The little poem will sing to you

the little picture bring to you

a dozen dreams to dance to you

at night when you're in bed

So-

Keep a picture in your pocket

and a poem in your head

and you'll never feel lonely

at night when you're in bed.