Oh Dear, Geoffrey!

Poor Geoffrey is so tall he cannot fit onto a page, and so ungainly he keeps falling over his long, spindly legs. With childlike openness he twists himself into knots trying to make friends in the jungle, only to scare everyone away. It is not until he explores his own lofty world around his head that he meets arboreal creatures who love him just the way he is. In a book that celebrates being who you are, this charming character wins the affection of us all.

Written and illustrated by Gemma O’Neill, the text is fresh and original and the illustrations are vibrant. For a newcomer O’Neill shows a mature knowledge of type and layout; the text is given room to breathe and the pictures have lots of airy, white space contrasted by the explosive use of pattern and splashy texture. Boldly confident, the pictures are cleverly cut to emphasize Geoffrey’s height, while the energetic action appears to be an exciting use of Photoshop (though one can never be sure).

Accepting your differences has found a delightful champion in Geoffrey.