Any Questions?

Any Questions? by Marie-Louise Gay (Allen & Unwin)

PB RRP: $17.99

ISBN 9781760113179

Reviewed by Yvonne Mes

If you don’t ask questions, how on earth will you get any answers?

This book embraces the curiosity of children, their endless questions and the never ending quest to know more. Starting with the type of questions author/illustrator Marie-Louise Gay hears at author signing and events, the questions move on to questions that relate to how stories start, how stories are told and what inspires them. This segues into a story within a story while giving an insight into the author/ illustrator’s creative process.
 

Told from the author’s perspective, this meta-fiction is also told by three curious (and totally adorable) children, and various capricious animals via a series of speech bubbles.

The mixed media artwork in pencil, watercolour and touches of collage feels light and airy and is gorgeous while adding fun with its many doodles and scribbles and adorable animal characters.

Marie-Louise Gay is a Canadian author/ illustrator of over 60 picture books which have been translated into many languages, including her well known Stella and Sam series and has several prestigious awards.
 

Yvonne Mes is a children's writer and illustrator. Her picture book, Meet Sidney Nolan (Random House) and Oliver’s Grumbles (Dragon Tales Publishing) are scheduled for release in October 2015. www.yvonnemes.com