Back to the Storks (Cressida Gaukroger, illus Andrew Joyner, Little Hare)

Back to the Storks plays on the old wives’ tale that babies are delivered to homes by storks. Otis is such a loud baby that when his parents are at their wits’ end, they post him back to the storks. Once the word is out, other parents also send their naughty children back. The storks are excited to receive parcels labelled ‘Good Babies’, but they quickly discover that these babies (although hilariously disguised with fake moustaches) are not good at all. Stork Town becomes a place of pandemonium, but the storks astutely give the babies appropriate jobs. Instead of pulling out hair, Gerald weeds the garden; rather than draw on walls, Mimi decorates murals; and noisy Otis becomes a human siren on the fire engine. Once the parents miss their babies, they hatch a sneaky, funny plan to get them back. Debut author Cressida Gaukroger has written a witty, relatable cautionary tale, and evergreen illustrator Andrew Joyner extends the humour through his detailed, retro-coloured comic-style pictures. This picture book is ideal for any family with a new baby and readers of The Very Noisy Baby by Alison Lester, Ruby Roars by Margaret Wild and Kerry Argent, and Tiny Tradies by Tami Sussman and Tom Jellett.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Joy Lawn has worked for independent bookshops and blogs at Paperbark Words. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews