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

Thursday 30 March 2023

Review: Go Home Cheeky Animals

In this second book by the award-winning team Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley , Go Home Cheeky Animals celebrates the diversity and indigenous culture of the Northern Territory.

The story centers on a family living in Canteen Creek in the Territory where there are cheeky dogs everywhere. 

Mum doesn’t like them and always shoos them away, but when her back is turned Grandpa continues to feed them until it gets out of hand.

Mayhem descends as feeding the dogs soon leads to a whole lot more cheeky animals arriving. 

Gangs of goats, droves of donkeys, herds of horses, bunches of buffalo, caravans of camels all arrive to eat, drink and cause chaos.

All the while the cheeky dogs do nothing but lie there watching the action.

Even the police try to help sort out the mess but to no avail.

Who will win? Will the cheeky dogs really let the rest of the animals take over without a fight?

The simplistic illustrations demonstrate an indigenous artistic flair while capturing the hilarious antics of these cheeky animals running riot and creating havoc in the town. Children will be drawn into the story as the noise and mischievous animals get out of control but celebrates the authenticity of the Territory and the ever-changing seasons.

Recently released in paperback this story was the Winner CBCA Book of the Year, Early Childhood, 2017 and Winner Territory read Award, Children’s or Young Adult, 2018 and it is easy to see why – a picture book not to be missed.

Read how it all began with our 2013 review of Too Many Cheeky Animals.


Title: Go Home Cheeky Animals
Author: Johanna Bell
Illustrator: Dion Beasley
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761065927
For ages: 4 - 7
Type: Picture Books