Charlie

Charlie by Ronojoy Ghosh (PenguinRandomHouse Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780143785026

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Charlie is a lion with acquired tastes – he loves art, fancy restaurants and beaches. Unfortunately, people he meets on outings are fearful of him. Problem easily solved – he adopts a disguise (a moustache)! The freedom his disguise gives him allows him to visit an art gallery, join an art class and visit places such as an aquarium and a fancy restaurant. It has been the best day of his life, and by the end of it (and the end of the book), he knows there are ‘plenty of adventures waiting for him tomorrow.’

This is a simple and simply told tale with strong, bright full-page illustrations during day-time and dramatic night-time scenes. Small children will enjoy looking for recurring creatures (such as a monkey and dog). There are some humorous touches, such as the lion catching public transport, taking a bath in a fountain with a lion statue, and dancing around lamp-posts. It would have most appeal to children aged 3 to 5 years.