Grotti

This charming picture book from author-illustrator Leonie Lord takes the young reader on a journey with the young protagonist who is recognisably a child immersed in what is to them a very real scenario, fighting beasts and defending kingdoms. This exciting activity is interrupted by something small and green – Grotti. Yes, surely that sibling baby. Grotti makes their presence felt impinging on the real tasks confronting our hero and annoyingly requiring both attention and adaptation of the main activities. Luckily a Mum and Dad are the answer leaving our hero to return to the adventurous life. But something was missing…

The author’s text reads well, moving the story along with attractive repetitions which bring a rhythm to the telling while the illustrations provide the visual background to the narrative, adding and expanding the text to create a very real world for the young protagonist. The colour saturated palette and the bold compositions make use of the spaces created by each spread, drawing the young audience into the story to enjoy this imaginative world. However as the adult reader – and the child – can see, this story reflects a real and familiar situation. The author is gently reminding the reader that family and sharing can be annoying, but problems can be solved in a way that actually adds to enjoyment – and in the end doing something together brings real happiness and satisfaction.