Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules

Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules by James Roy, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Walker Books) PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 9781922244932

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Chook Doolan is scared of everything. That’s why he’s called Chook, for chicken, because he’s not very brave. He always walks to school with his brother Ricky. Today Ricky is sick and Chook must go to school by himself. Dad can’t drive him as he’s running late, so he gives Chook some rules to follow for his own safety.

But Chook takes the rules literally, and without meaning to, upsets all his friends in his community. Can things get worse?

Joe, his best mate, comes up with a brilliant solution to rectify the damage done.

This is a brilliant series for early readers which carry themes of family and community, and being brave when attempting things for the first time. Each book has a specific problem Chook must address, and young readers will easily associate with his feelings of insecurity and fear. They will also applaud his successes and the way he keeps trying no matter how difficult he finds the challenge.