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

Saturday 14 May 2011

Review: Don’t Worry, Douglas!

When adorable bear Douglas is given a new woolly hat by his dad, Douglas is thrilled. He’s never had a woolly hate before. He can’t wait to show his friends. But then come those immortal words – “Look after it,” says Dad.

Of course, we already know what’s going to happen. As young Douglas cartwheels across the grass, snagging his woolly hat on a tree branch, we soon bear witness to a a red yarn disaster, spiderwebbed like woolly spaghetti between the trees.


Douglas is horrified. Left with naught but a skinny band of a hat on his noggin, his friends the sheep attempt to squish the bundle of yarn back on his head. Hmm. Not a good look. Maybe cow would know what to do. And she does – she wears it like an Annie-inspired wig.

Can a swoopy bird help? Sure, she can use the thatch of yarn for her nest. Poor Douglas. Things aren’t looking good for his woolly hat.

And then it started to rain.

Resplendent with Melling’s heart-warming and belly-wobbling illustrations that are infused with such charm and subtle humour, kids will love cheering Douglas on as he tries to find a way to tell his dad about the hat disaster.

How will his dad take it? Well, like any loving dad would.

Adorable.

Title: Don’t Worry, Douglas!
Author/Illustrator: David Melling
Publisher: Hachette Children’s, $28.99
Publication Date: April 2011
ISBN: 9780340999806
Format: Hard cover
For ages: 2 - 6
Type: Picture Book