Nannie Loves

Nannie Loves by Kylie Dunstan (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-921504-83-9

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Nannie loves her farm, with its rolling hills, muddy creek and lots of paddocks. Nannie loves her bouncy dog, her sheep and cows…even her hungry chooks. But most of all, Nannie loves when her family comes to stay.

Nannie Loves is a charming story that centres on family and farm life. The text is simple yet lyric, with the repeating line of Nannie loves which will draw the children in. Yet it is Kylie’s illustrations that I feel make this book truly magical.

A blend of pencil, paint and collage, the illustrations are so bright and cheerful they virtually bounce off the page. My favourite is the double-page spread depicting the family in silhouette with the surprised-looking rabbits down by the front fence.

This picture book would suit preschool children as well as early primary. Not only giving them an insight into farm life, it would also encourage many artistic endeavours.