Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

Emma is not allowed to go to a pirate party with her older brother. Mum and dad drop her off at Grandma's house. Emma is furious. Luckily Grandma is very wise and patient and she has a terrific trick up her sleeve. She grabs her coat (her pockets are bulging with things - you can see this on the cover) and she takes Emma and her dog Bella and they head to the beach. It is a cold day but the sun is shining. 

Grandma explains she is grumpy too because her favourite tea cup broke that morning. Grandma has some paper and texta (marker) pens. She shows Emma how to draw grumbles. They both scribble on their paper until ...

"Emma stopped drawing. She looked at her paper and smiled"

But they are not finished. Grandma shows Emma how to fold her paper into a small boat - a grumble boat. They launch their boats into the ocean and watch them float away. Then, as in all good books, they head home for a warm drink and something delicious to eat.

At the back of this book there are instructions for making paper boats. I love the cover of this book and the way the end papers are different at the front and back. Little Emma has wonderful body language and funny mismatched clothes. Grandma is wise. I love her jeans and desert boots. Her home is filled with pretty cushions and floor rugs emphasising her nurturing personality. 

Grumble Boats was a 2022 CBCA Early Childhood notable title. I remember my friend who is a Teacher-Librarian in a K-2 campus telling me how much she loved this book. She was sure it would be shortlisted but alas it was not. I agree with her - this is a book that should have "made the cut".  The winner and honour books for 2022 were Jetty Jumping, Walk of the Whales and Amira's suitcase.

Other books  illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie. In my Garden is her new book due for publication in August:

Sometimes Cake by Edwina Wyatt illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

Audrey finds Lion. He has a balloon. It is not his birthday. It is not Audrey's birthday but they sing the birthday song anyway. On Tuesday Audrey finds Lion again. He has a delicious looking cake. Audrey asks about the celebration. Lion explains he is celebrating Tuesdays and also coconut. The friends sit down to enjoy a slice of cake (the icing is coconut - yum).

The story pattern continues. Lion is wearing a hat and celebrating orange and yellow and Audrey suggests they could add in purple. Then comes one powerful word:

"The next time Audrey found Lion, he didn't have a balloon or a cake. He wasn't wearing a hat. 'What are you celebrating?' said Audrey. 'Nothing,' sniffed Lion. Today is just an ordinary day." 

Sniffed!! - lion is sad. He looks sad in the illustration on the next page. BUT our Audrey is a problem solver. She creates the best celebration ever - a celebration of ordinary days and lions. 

The tone of this book feels a little like Winnie the Pooh's wisdom.

Just before this Walker book was released a friend sent me the title knowing I am a huge fan of cakes! With all the story elements which are perfect for preschoolers and perfect to read aloud features such as  patterns, an emotional arc, bright and lively illustrations, and a little girl who could be your friend, I just have to give this book five stars. I also like the look of the cake on the title page. 

I predict this book will reach the 2021 CBCA Notable list and Early Childhood short list - yes it is that good. Fingers crossed for Edwina Wyatt and Tamsin.  I did make this prediction back in 2016 about In the Evening and I was wrong - let's hope I don't jinx Sometimes Cake.

Make sure you look at all of the socks worn by Audrey. They are a good way to mark the passing of time but also they are intriguing. Audrey likes to wear odd socks that don't match just like many preschool aged children, but one sock is missing. I have searched high and low but I cannot find her red and white striped sock in the final scene. Can you?

Here are the author and illustrator web sites.

I would pair this book with these:

Where does Thursday Go?