Books & Literature

Book Review: There’s a Baddie Running Through This Book, by Shelly Unwin

A fun, appealing book for three to six year olds who following directions, looking for a young racoon baddie who is literally tearing through the pages, stealing items, and running from the owners.

Vivienne To has illustrated this simple text with cartoon images of animal characters. The story has the young readers following directions, looking for the young racoon baddie who is literally tearing through the pages, stealing items and running from the owners.

The pictures are awash with chickens, animals from around the world and has the baddie smiling and heading toward the rest of the book and then away from those looking for him. The text rhymes and beckons the reader to follow the antics of the baddie while trying to guess where he will be found on the next page.

The main detective role belongs to a penguin in a chef’s outfit, while there is also a beaver who drives a fire engine, a crocodile construction worker, an ice cream vending brown bear, a female moose police officer, a mother koala and her joey, and several turtles affected by this racoon thief.

The font used is large and clear, with an urgency that pervades the tale as the baddie attempts to avoid capture. The illustrations are bold, colourful and appealing to the young reader or listener. Each page brings with it a sense of cheek and fun portrayed in a skilful combination of text and illustration.

An appealing book for three to six year olds.

Reviewed by Leanne Caune

Rating out of 10:  7

Distributed by: Allen & Unwin
Released: October 2018
RRP: $ 19.99 hardcover

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