The Backyard Games

The Backyard Games (Allen & Unwin) Alister Nicholson & Tom Jellett PB RRP $19.99 9781761180927 

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Alister Nicholson is one of Australia’s best-known radio and TV sports commentators who is a leading voice on Channel Seven’s AFL. He has commentated on many of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, AFL Grand Finals and Test Cricket.

Tom Jellett has illustrated Whale in the Bath, The Gobbledygook is Eating a Book and My Dad Thinks He’s Funny. Tom is an editorial illustrator for News Limited and has been included in the Editorial and Book category for illustrators 53.

Alister Nicholson & Tom Jellett are the team that also created Cricket, I Just Love it!

The Backyard Games is a celebration of friendship, sports, ceremony and fun. It brings to life the imaginative play of children creating their own Olympic Games, showcasing personal strengths, near misses and victories.

Alister Nicholson’s text has an energetic liveliness that captures the pure joy of sport and fun. The language is rich and on topic so young readers are totally immersed in the Backyard Games environment. What a glorious day for the Backyard Games! Who will be the champions, household names? The text reads aloud beautifully and Nicholson’s radio voice shines through in the voice. Famous names appear throughout text bringing in Olympic history and showing how Olympians have become a part of our culture. Thorpey and Pearson, oh the elation. And Cathy in Sydney – pride of the nation. Names of countries and the importance of ceremonies is shared along with the quest for gold. The characters are the neighbourhood kids and there is no one main character, but varied characters, because that is how the games are too. The verbs work well and reflect the various sports. Weightlifting next- we heave, and we strain. I love how a crowd is included, too. Each child has different strengths and shines individually, and that is an important message the book shares. In the Backyard Games, everyone is a winner!   

Tom Jellett delights the reader with his illustrations that are full of life and action packed with lots of movement and humour. I love the burning sausage in tongs on the front cover as an Olympic torch. The endpapers are clever because they include Olympic facts on Olympians, sports and The Games. An ordinary backyard comes to life with imagination and the characters are kids from all around the neighbourhood. The country names in a hat for the selection of countries is so Australian and fun. A dog cleverly features as a silent character throughout the spreads. There are both double- and single-page spreads with constant movement from left to right taking the reader on a playful journey into the Games.  Competitiveness is shown in the children, but also their mutual respect and admiration.

The Backyard Games is a picture book that will delight children, parents, teachers and librarians because it is fun, informative and a great share. It’s a great teaching resource and I can see it being a handy book for many teachers. This book is suitable for 3-7 years.