Tom and Tilly (Jedda Robaard, Walker Books)

Tom and Tilly is a testament to the power of imagination. A boy and his teddy bear go on a grand adventure, sailing past a busy city guarded by fierce frogs, braving terrible storms, and becoming captive to a whale who has great fun shooting them up in the air through his water sprout. Together, the boy and his trusty companion manage to survive treacherous swirlpools. Fortunately for Tom and Tilly, the scary outing actually takes place in a big, green, claw-legged bathtub.  A large splashy puddle on the bathroom floor attests to their adventures on the high seas but soon they are safely tucked in bed. Writer and illustrator Jedda Robaard uses watercolours in her book; her drawings are appropriately loose and flowing and Tom is an engaging looking fellow, with his mop of black hair, tiny eyes and spindly limbs. The large size font and simple sentences make the book suitable for preschoolers, particularly those who love bathtime and who fill the tub with a large array of floatable objects. As a bonus, on the back pages, Robaard includes easy instructions on how to make a little paper sailboat so children can include this vessel in their own adventures.  

Thuy On is a Melbourne-based critic, editor and manuscript assessor

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Category: Reviews