It Wasn't Me!

Charlie and Ellis live all by themselves on a tiny island. They spend their days swimming, telling stories and playing on the beach. Everything they have is shared, and everything is perfect – until one morning when their breakfast pot goes missing. Both deny taking it, and searching gets them nowhere. Wherever could it be?

As more objects are lost, Charlie and Ellis are too busy blaming each other to think constructively, but keen-eyed readers will be one step ahead. It’s no surprise when a well-planned page turn reveals a cheeky bird on a suspiciously pot-shaped nest, but Charlie and Ellis remain oblivious to the drama unfolding above their heads. By the time they’ve lost their spoons, their firesticks and their clothes, they’re so cross with each other that leaving the island on separate boats seems the only option. Building things alone is difficult, though, and time apart allows them to calm down enough to work together on a raft.

Everything finally looks rosy, but ten little fledgelings have joined their mother on the beach. Charlie and Ellis are about to learn the truth. Will they realise before they set sail? Or will they be left without a paddle, all at sea?

In this funny and perceptive picturebook about falling out and making up, Charlie and Ellis inhabit an isolated but always charming world where they can express themselves without any real jeopardy. The tension builds with each turn of the page, but there’s plenty of humour along the way, and young readers will delight in knowing more than the protagonists. It’s worth noting that gender is downplayed, both visually and textually, allowing audiences to read the words and pictures as they choose.

Learning how to navigate the strong emotions that come with childhood friendships isn’t easy, so books like this are always welcome. Ellis and Charlie’s desert island heightens the sense of separation and shared identity that accompanies their intense bond, and although It Wasn’t Me!is funny, joyful and an immensely good read, it also addresses some complex ideas. Rushing to blame or judge others without checking facts, allowing anger to obscure reason or empathy, being unable to disagree constructively or negotiate a compromise…. this would be challenging subject matter for most age groups, but Marta Altes navigates it here for younger readers with humour, kindness and insight. In this respect, It Wasn’t Me!is a great example of showing not telling and will have all the more impact for its light-touch approach.

With its vibrant and expressive artwork, pantomime-style drama and surprisingly relatable dilemmas, It Wasn’t Me! will stimulate discussion, storytelling and playful activities of all kinds.