‘Digitally distracted’ is a phrase that I came across on a Facebook post aimed at parents. I didn’t read the article because it was too long, and I wasn’t willing to make myself any more guilty than I already feel for possibly fitting in that category. But then we went to the library and found this!
Let me ignore the hints from the Universe and get on with my book review!
Mum For Sale by Zanni Louise is a funny and heartwarming story of a phone-distracted parent and her child. Errol’s attempts to gain Mum’s attention are futile. The extent of his frustration is evident when he props up a sign: MUM FOR SALE/ MAKE OFFER. A few arctic buddies turn up with some interesting offers!
Finally, Errol strikes a bargain, an exchange is made and Mum is shipped off!
What happens next is adorable and thanks to Zanni Louis’s amazing narrative skills, all hope is restored in the world.
Philip Buntings characteristic style clear, bright illustrations add a cheeriness to the pages and carry the story forward on a yellow background, the colour of hope.
The text is all in speech bubbles, and if you read them without looking at the pictures you would be lost. It is the illustrator’s brush that brings life to the text. I absolutely adore when an author and illustrator collaborate to create an astounding picture book experience, which Louise & Bunting have achieved. And, that would be called ‘visual literacy’ – a vital tool in early childhood learning. So, make sure you check this book out!
Suggested age: Read aloud to 4+. Read by self 5+. Recommended for a beginner reader.
Published by Scholastic Australia, 2019
If you would like this book for your child’s bookshelf, check out your local book shops, because bookshops are amazing places and should be supported to keep them open! However, the convenience of clicking from your comfy sofa is sometimes a necessity. In that case, Booktopia it!
