Tidy by Emily Gravett (London, Two Hoots) $25
Anyone who is a tiny bit obsessive compulsive will relate to the story of Pete the badger, whose mission is to tidy the great outdoors ... including its inhabitants.
Foxes are groomed, birds are bathed and the ground is swept clear of rocks and twigs. The problems arise when Pete’s attempts to clean result in severe damage to the forest. In his misguided efforts, he manages to not only strip the leaves off trees, but dig them up and finally pave over his forest home.
Matters come to a head when he discovers he can’t access his burrow because it’s under a layer of concrete. Even Pete realizes he’s gone too far and with the eager help of lots of animal volunteers he sets about correcting his mistakes.
The amazing cover art will attract the intended picture book audience. The book jacket is die cut to reveal part of the front cover which is also cut away to reveal the front endpaper. The resulting three-dimensional effect is stunning.
The book design is truly innovative as the jacket is illustrated on both sides and could serve as a wall frieze (if one could bear to part it from the book).
Pete is a charming character and he and the other forest denizens are an appealing little group. The brilliant art fairly leaps off the page and it will not surprise readers to find Gravett has won the British Kate Greenaway Medal twice for distinguished illustration in a children’s book.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She always arranges her pencils the same way in the drawer. For more information check your local libraries.
