What could it be?

What could it be? by Sally Fawcett (EK Books) PB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-925335-02-6

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

This is an unusual picture book catering to the wide age range of 3 to 12 year olds which is written by primary school teacher Fawcett to unleash creativity and inspire thinking outside the square. Told through the voice of a young boy, it explores the shapes and colours in his everyday world.

The endpapers immediately had me hooked, transporting me to memories of childhood with corkboards displaying hand-drawn pictures held up with coloured drawing pins.

The reader is invited to participate directly with What could it be? A shape is introduced through a delightful interaction with Max and a specific aspect of his daily life, such as a hexagonal spider’s web or a circular snail shell. Then we are invited to locate that shape within a new and detailed illustration. Interaction between the illustrations on the page and the real world is encouraged.

Clever design allows this book to speak to the broad 3-12 age group. Younger children will identify the obvious shapes, while older readers will be challenged to investigate the illustrations more deeply than is immediately obvious. With plenty of content to ignite creative conversation, it’s a wonderful starting point for further activities and investigations into shape and colour.

This is a lovely book for sharing between parents and children, or for older children to explore by themselves.

Teacher notes and online activities for further exploration are offered.