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

Thursday 14 November 2013

Review: Hey Jack! That's a Big Book!


Sally Rippin’s popular Hey Jack! series gives us a big book to keep children absorbed during the Christmas holidays.

This collection deals with the varying emotions that children feel and struggle with daily. Although Jack has his moody days and each one (depending on how he’s feeling) seems to claim a moody title — moochy, bouncy, jittery etc. — he always finds a way to overcome. 

The ten stories are full of optimism and encouragement, and focus on children’s self-esteem and how they can conquer their fears and insecurities.

The themes of the book cover shyness, self-doubt, and various types of fear and anger, coming to terms with change, plus many others. They are approached in a delicate way and presented with warmth and humour and without being preachy.

Jack is a great role model, for most children can relate to the way Jack feels. Through his experiences they discover, as Jack does, that things are never as bad as they seem, and that there is always a reason for the way people act and think.

This big book is aimed at early readers in a large easy-to-read font. Jack’s friend Billy, who is now a star in her own right, also appears in many of the stories.

Title: Hey Jack! That's a Big Book!
Author: Sally Rippin
Publisher: Hardie Grant, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: October 2013
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742977577
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction