The kids’ Survival Guide

The kids’ Survival Guide Avoiding “When I was young” and other brain-exploding lectures by Susan Berran (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781925520071

Reviewed by Anita Howard

Susan Berran communicates directly to her readers through the voice of a primary aged child. This voice is littered with cheeky, of beat humour and at time outrageous suggestions that kids might think of but never say. The protagonist lets the readers into his secret ways to survive, boring lectures from parents; excuses; bending the rules; dumb things parents say; getting out of things with games that you never lose and sucking up.

A wonderful book for reluctant readers and could be used to generate classroom conversations related to difficult parent/child relationships. As these topics are present in a non-threatening and at times disrespectful manner, that many children enjoy.

Susan Berran’s cartoon style illustrations successfully communicate and at times exaggerate the same energy, mood, and message as the text.