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

Monday 26 October 2015

Review: Lara of Newtown

Misty is in trouble. Nana Banana is too old to look after her now, so she drops the kitty off at Care 4 Cats. Misty is safe but she's in a cage at night, and that's got to be not much fun.

Thankfully, one day, Misty is homed--a surprise Christmas present--hurrah! But things don't go too well. Misty eats the crackling and the budgie is dead.

'That cat has to go!'

And Misty is unceremoniously dumped.


Thankfully, another family--the Kafoopses--collect Misty from the sadness of the streets, and rename her Lara.

Happiness reigns supreme. Especially with a family who loves her, and a stack of warm, fluffed-up towels to sleep on. Dear Lara doesn't need much more.

This is both a tender and kooky tale, with a charming first-person voice and a cat you want to claim as your own. As with all of McKimmie's books, illustrations by children (as young as two years old), mingle with textures, colours, line drawings, cut-outs and upended typeface, using both digital and hand-rendered fonts.

Visual detail will keep little eyes entranced, and the storyline will touch anyone's heart--with a powerfully-imparted, important topic (without a hint of schmaltz) that even very young children should learn about early. 

Title: Lara of Newtown
Author/Illustrator: Chris McKimmie
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $29.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 July 2015
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781760112325
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book