'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Friday 15 April 2011

Review: Click Go the Shears

You just can’t help but sing along in your very best voice to this iconic Australian tune – click go those shears, boy, click click click! Call me a monumental sook, but I can't read through this book without pesky tears welling in my eyes.

Part of the Australian Children’s Classics range published by HarperCollins this month, this iconic Australian shearing song has been masterfully illustrated by the talented Robert Ingpen, using richly beautiful images that are so evocative, you feel you could reach out and touch the springy white wool.

The origins of Click Go the Shears are unclear. The tune originally came from old US Civil War song ‘Ring the Bell, Watchman' and the words – or at least the first verse – are attributed to a parody of ‘Ring the Bell’ by Henry Lawson.

Whatever the case, this catchy bush tune has been immortalized all over again in this latest version of the classic children’s picture book. You can almost smell the lanolin. Enjoy a rollicking repeat read with the kids. Tears will well.

Title: Click Go the Shears
Illustrator: Robert Ingpen
Publisher: HarperCollins, $14.99
Publication Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9780207180941
Format: Soft cover
For ages: 4 - 10
Type: Picture Book