Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
Once again well-known celebrity Anh Do and illustrator, Anton Emdin, have combined to produce another book in the series Smarty Pup. For those who do not know this series, Lily’s dog JJ had once had purple space goop plopped on him and since then he had become a talking genius, so he had been going to school with her. This latest story is called Time to Fly and the inside of both front and back covers are positive reviews from ten children aged from six to eight as well as one from a mother who says, ‘Smarty Pup is so good that Annabel is planning to swap it for her iPad for the rest of the week!”
In this latest story their teacher decides to enter her class in the National Awesome Concert, and they decide on a dance routine ending with a human pyramid. As JJ is the lightest, he has been allocated top dog position. However, when the children are told that they will be flying to the destination the pyramid becomes unstable, and JJ falls from the top.
This brings on an anxiety about heights and he refuses to take part. So that he does not miss out on the experience, the teacher asks him to design the costumes which he jumps at. Lilly’s father comes up with a solution so that JJ can go with the class to the concert. The story continues for over 200 pages with their adventures and how JJ comes to the rescue when things go wrong.
This book is beautifully presented on bright white paper sporting cartoon-like characters with large eyes. The text on each page is kept to a minimum and includes a play on words and jokes. The promotional sheet describes this book as ‘A PAWS-itively brilliant story from much loved author Anh Do. Featuring an amazing lenticular animated cover!’
As well as being highly polished, well-presented pieces of work, these stories also include a positive message. In Time to Fly, the clear message is We ALL have to work TOGETHER to make it happen.
This is a lovely story full of humour and bright colours which cannot help but engage readers of all ages.
Smarty Pup – Time to Fly
by Anh Do
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:9 781761 069932
$16.99; 208pp