This and That (Mem Fox, illus by Judy Horacek, Scholastic)

It’s far easier to analyse why a pre-school picture book will be a hit than it is to create one, as simple as it may appear at first glance. This and That is not so much a story as a celebration of where stories can take you, and especially where stories can take you together, be that children with their parents, grandparents, teachers or older siblings. Big mouse tells little mouse, ‘I’ll tell you a story of this, and I’ll tell you a story of that,’ as they race from page to page, jumping from one idea to the next. Vibrantly illustrated scenes are interspersed with quieter white spreads featuring both mice racing to the next adventure, which allows the anticipation to build. It is easy to imagine children repeating Mem Fox’s restrained prose as their eyes race over Judy Horacek’s bold illustrations trying to find where big mouse and little mouse are hiding this time. The multicultural marketplace spread will be a favourite landing spot, and there are lots of opportunities to make animal noises or a joyful ‘whee!’ as the mice race to the next scene. The book comes to a whisper-quiet, goodnight-kiss ending that has bedtime ritual written all over it. This will be a future family favourite.

Emily Gale is a children’s book and YA specialist at Readings

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews