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

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Review: Nuddy Ned

What is it about kids and the nudey-rudey dash? Is it the overwhelming sense of freedom, fresh air on skin? Is it the priceless reaction from the rest of the household? What about the reaction from the community?

Little Ned is ready for bed, fresh from the bath and keen to hop, skip and jump into a willy-nilly streak. Off he goes through the living room - nuddy cartwheels have never been so fun - and right out the front door!

"I'm Nuddy Ned! I'm Nuddy Ned! Jim-jams aren't for me!" he hollers as he skedaddles off down the street, his parents in hot pursuit.


Past the bus stop, through the park - even the ducks flap away in fright! Through the precinct, into the pizza shop!, hitching a ride on the bus to the fields outside town - off Ned runs into the distance, while his huffing-puffing parents collapse on the grass, fully spent.

And how does this Birthday Suit tale end? Well, you know the old saying - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Told in rhyme (though at times slightly off-kilter) this is a warmly funny book kids will find deliciously risqué, with lift-the-flaps covering all those frightfully-nudey spots - but don't worry, mum and dad - what's underneath is not much more than a carefully-placed bird, feather or - ahem - banana.

Good fun.

Title: Nuddy Ned
Author: Kes Gray
Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: February 2013
Format: Soft cover
ISBN: 9781408836590
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book