Thursday, September 17, 2020

Review: A Bobby-Dazzler of a Pouch by Janet Halfmann

Learning facts while enjoying a fun story is always a plus for young (and old) listeners/readers. The author I have here today has taken this to heart and has written several books that hit this balance just right. I've got her latest release today (June 2020), but highly encourage you to check out her other works as well if you're looking for exactly this type of combination.


A BOBBY-DAZZLER OF A POUCH!
by Janet Halfmann
Illustrated by Abira Das
Pen-It! Publications
Picture Book
38 pages
ages 4 to 8





Will Joey, a little gray kangaroo, ever find his mum's pouch in a mob? Find out in this fun story of creativity and friendship—sprinkled with Australian words.


      




MY TIDBITS

Packed with a cuteness, information about Australia, life-important messages and fun, this is definitely an entertaining read.

Joey, the kangaroo baby, has gotten separated from his mother and her pouch...and that right in the middle of a mob! Try as he may, he can't make it back to his mother and starts to feel more than a little desperate. Luckily, the other animals are there to help.

This is simply a cute, heartwarming tale, which will draw listeners/readers in. Little Joey is a super sweet kangaroo, and when he looses his mom in the crowd, it stabs the heart. Young listeners will be able to immediately empathize with his plight and maybe even remember a time where they couldn't find their own parent for a minute or two. It is a situation which rings true with the age group very well.

But this isn't only a story with a message. It's so much more. The author has packed a wonderful cast of Australian creatures together, each with their own personality and wit. Readers not only get to follow the tale as they help Joey, but also learns about animals in Australia. The facts weave smoothly right into the tale...one that includes not only the animals, too. Plants and Australian phrases/words are sprinkled in right along as well. 

The illustrations round this one off. They are playful and bring across the characters and scenes with gentle feel while still holding details to make everything very recognizable. The characters are portrayed in a positive light, just right for the intended age group.



And here she is...


Janet Halfmann is a multi-award-winning children’s author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. Many of her picture books are about animals and nature. She also writes picture book biographies about little-known people of achievement. Recent titles by Janet include A Bobby-Dazzler of a Pouch!; The Story of Civil War Hero Robert Smalls (Chapter Book for Grades 3-7); Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School; Grandma Is a Slowpoke; Animal Teachers; A Rainbow of Birds; Eggs 1, 2, 3: Who Will the Babies Be?; Home in the Cave; Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish; Good Night, Little Sea Otter; Fur and Feathers; Little Skink's Tail; and Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story. Janet has written more than forty fiction and nonfiction books for children.  (taken from Goodreads)



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