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

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Review: The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies

It's a family affair! This gorgeous book by the Niland family of talent is just really great fun - adorable, kooky and strikingly illustrated... the perfect combination for... kids!

There was once a tall, tall man with very interesting hair who lived in a tiny apartment... with twelve babies. As you do. And all the boy babies were called Alistair. And all the girl babies were called Charlene.

Naturally.

One day, the tall man gets stuck outside the apartment door with all the Charlenes, so he crawls through the cat flap, only to get stuck. Of course, while the man panics, the babies love it. The Charlenes ride on his legs and the Alistairs play with this curly hair.

Then, on the count of three, the tall man instructs his babies to push and pull until he's free. And that's about it.

Although the storyline is oddly concise and nothing really 'happens' in this story, the message about working together is subtle, the love is palpable, the pictures are hilarity, and this all-in-all this makes for a fun book I'm certain will be dog-eared with repeat readings in no time.

Title: The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies
Author: Tom Niland Champion & Kilmeny Niland
Illustrator: Deborah Niland
Publisher: A&U, A$24.99RRP
Publication Date: 25 October 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742371153
For ages: 3-7
Type: Picture Book