Splash!
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Cover Story
This issue’s cover is from a stunning new picture book, Mary’s Secret by David McKee (Andersen Press, 0 86264 909 9, £9.99). An ecological fable about doing without cars, McKee’s story with its bright pictures full of well observed detail is set within Mary’s cheerful family and at her school. His bold, painterly illustrations use the page so confidently and dextrously that their quirky, decorative perspectives seem entirely natural. Thanks to Andersen Press for their help in producing this September cover.
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Splash!
The opening endpapers present a panoramic waterside view of tiger, rhino and mother and baby elephant looking dejected and hot. The simple text confirms that they are ‘hot, hot, hot’, but it is baby elephant who sets an example by heading to the water. In they all go with accompanying whooshes, splooshes, squirts and splashes which are sure to encourage plenty of audience participation. They eventually emerge looking cooler and fresher in the evening light on the back endpapers. The use of endpapers to advance the story is a nice touch in this generously-sized picture book for the very young. The animals and attendant birds are large, filling and at times overflowing the pages, and are slightly stylized giving them a friendly but not unnatural appearance. McDonnell uses her sweeping brush strokes to convey a feeling of movement, in particular where the animals are cavorting in the water.
