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

Monday 30 January 2017

Review: Town and Country


There's an eternal fascination between the city and the country--and the variables are endlessly fascinating, especially for young eyes. Life is definitely lived differently in the big smoke or on the farm, and this book perfectly encapsulates the many and varied ways we live according to WHERE we live.

Designed as a 'flip' book, kids can turn the book upside down to view a country scene and a town or city scene, correlating to a theme. The range of themes is fantastic--from the expected (animals, plants, transport, buildings) to the less expected (fun, jobs, snow, beach).

A word list down the side of each spread helps kids associate text with image, and a word and picture grid at the end of the book is also priceless for word association. Extra 'things to find' rounds out a true eye-fest of busy fun.

Craig Shuttlewood's beautiful illustrations and colour palette lend a modern take to a classic idea, and delightfully busy endpapers and rounded book corners make this a beautifully-produced (and hard-wearing) book for curious little hands.

Title: Town and Country
Illustrator: Craig Shuttlewood
Publisher: Ivy Kids, $19.99
Publication Date: 25 January 2017
Format: Hard cover, turnaround book
ISBN: 9781782404422
For ages: 2 - 6
Type: Picture Book