Andrew Daddo » Reviews

Check On Me!

andrew — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:05:43 +0000

It’s out. I saw it in the bookshop window in Albert Park after having coffee with my mum and dad and if there’s a good time to see your own book in a shop window, that would be it.

Oh, darling, said Mum

Did you do that? said Dad.

Very exciting. Hopefully you’ll have an oh darling moment when you have a look at it, too.

Run, Kid, Run

lisa — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:55:18 +0000

Run, Kid, Run! is the first title in the new ABC Kids Fiction series. The fast moving plot and the short length (72pages), coupled with the cartoon illustrations by the talented Craig Smith, makes it very accessible to young readers, especially those making the transition from picture books and easy readers to longer chapter books or novels. The shape cut into the book, reflective of the ABC symbol, will be appealing to kids, echoing the bite in Aussiebites books, and making the series readily identifiable.

It’ s all good

lisa — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:57:34 +0000

Kind of a Boys Own journal about two boys playing dress-ups as bikies: the sort of thing most guys might like to do.

Awesome read.

Cheeky Monkey

lisa — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:33:34 +0000

From the team who created the award-winning Good Night, Me comes this captivating picture book. Emma Quay’s delightful and warm illustrations of a family moving through their day bring to life all the funny and silly names we call our children: cheeky monkey, lucky duck, sweet pea, silly billy and more.

Simply delightful.

How Cheeky Monkey Came to be…

Cheeky Monkey came from one end or other of the kitchen bench.

‘My wife Jac and I were laughing about all the names people call their kids,’ Andrew says ‘the way some are cute and some are cuddly and some are plain ridiculous. Then Jac suggested it’d be a good idea for a book, because we could put all the names we use for our own kids, and the names our friends use for theirs, into one collection.

‘SIMPLE-but then, the pain… the narrative… the logic… And how would the pictures work? What should they look like? Would they be a girl or a boy? And would that be Mum or Dad with them- or both? And it went from being pretty simple to exhausting, especially for the illustrator, Emma. Having said that, the book is gorgeous, we’re all really happy with it and we’ve slipped in our favourite names as well!’

Muffin Top Review

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:35:58 +0000

‘We’re getting a … family makeover. Cool huh? And we’re here to do the “before” shots. Then we’re going to a health farm for a week, and coming back for the “after”. What do you reckon?’ Her smile dulled slowly as she saw the three laughing clowns in front of her, each waiting for a ping-pong ball in the mouth. Leroy and Candy were still grinning.
‘But why? Cranked Dad.
‘What’s wrong with us?’ I said.
‘Who needs a makeover?’ Kylie had her arms folded across her chest.

Ash and Kylie’s mum is a total embarrassment. She writes a column for the local paper about pet care – even though the family doesn’t own a pet. Then, when Ash and Kylie have a fight about their muffin tops, their mother has a great idea about doing a family makeover for the paper. She wants them to feature in a double page spread featuring before and after photos.

Before Ash knows what’s happening, he finds himself at the Natural Spiritual Health and Wellness Centre. Mum’s in her element, with massages and mud baths and plenty of opportunities for deep inner work, but the rest of the family aren’t so sure. Can they survive a whole week of wheatgrass and yoga?

Muffin Top is a funny novel for upper primary aged children about family togetherness, body image and self awareness. Whilst it’s mostly just good fun, it also has a healthy message about liking yourself as you are.