Muesli on my Brother’s Head

Muesli on my Brother’s Head by Harriet Cuming, illustrated by Kathryn Green (Little Steps Publishing) HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781925117829

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

In this picture book told in rhyming verse, a masked and caped boy about ten is involved in a series of escapades where mess is involved. There’s ‘mashed sweet potato on the bed’ and ‘honey in my granny’s shoe.’ The boy is responsible for putting ‘Daddy’s ipad up a tree’ and ‘Mummy’s keys in her tea.’ In any household the boy would be a plain nuisance – even messing with Aunty Lou Lou’s pants and covering Uncle Joey’s red canoe with ‘some icky glue,’ but despite admitting to ‘being bad’, the boy is not punished. After promising to obey, he's allowed ‘to stay’ but in the final picture, accidentally spills a tray of cream.

It’s not clear what the point of the overall story is, as except for the accident, all other misdemeanors are wilful. Why would a child be so nasty to his family? And especially why would he not pay for the consequences of his actions? 

The illustrations, in watercolour, are child-like and not particularly appealing. The book is suitable for readers aged 5 to 7 years.

This is the second self-published book by the Australian author of Where Do Teachers Go at Night?