Rocky the Cocky

Rocky the Cocky by Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti, illustrated by Marion Duke (Wild Eye Press) PB RRP $15.90

ISBN 9780648161172

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Rocky the Cocky is a rhyming picture book about a headstrong and fearless cockatoo who likes to perform wild and reckless stunts. Rocky, the daredevil cockatoo, sports a punk style multi-coloured crest and wears a denim vest and sneakers. He likes to ride a skateboard and carry out dangerous aeronautic tricks, despite the warnings of well-meaning friends and family.

The unique pictures are bright and bold and compiled using a myriad of mediums. The characters, created using oil paints, are depicted alongside collage, line drawings and monochrome photographs. The page designs are also diverse, combining colourful dancing text of various sizes with full colour backgrounds or comic strip style layouts, many reminiscent of Pop Art. The book’s cover and endpapers include Rocky’s stylised tag in graffiti art.

Rocky the Cocky is an engaging and action-packed tale suitable for children aged 5+ years old.