Splash!

Splash! (Daisy Lane Publishing) Kym Langfield  PB RRP $28.99 9781763670020

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Kym Langfield is a published author and illustrator, with books including Solo Dan (Daisy Lane Publishing) and Ah-Fur: The Case of the Missing Moggies (Morris Publishing). With a diploma in children's book illustration, Kym loves using vibrant watercolours. She is also a teacher and a qualified counsellor, working in Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Dark clouds follow Lucy everywhere she goes. That is, until a bright splash of paint lands at her feet, and Abby invites her to Art Club. There, Lucy discovers the joy of art and learns to explore the world through colours.

Kym Langfield has created a compelling opening that beautifully introduces the main character and her problem: "Rainclouds followed Lucy everywhere she went. Mum and dad tried everything to cheer her up. Skipper tried too. But nothing worked." Her words seamlessly complement her illustrations, working together poetically and visually. The page turns are inviting, and the writing is tight. The theme of friendship is woven throughout the story. I love how Abby is a friend who not only recognizes Lucy’s anxiety but also helps her navigate it in a thoughtful, kind way. I appreciate that Lucy’s internal dialogue is explored just as much as her external dialogue.

It’s the things we tell ourselves that can hold us back, and this is captured beautifully in the text. The comparison of dark thoughts to clouds is both powerful and visually striking. The dialogue is spot-on—simple and child-friendly. The story arc is clear and strong, and the text naturally introduces helpful ways to deal with anxiety, like when Lucy "takes a deep breath and races over to Abby." The idea of seeing the world with colour instead of darkness is a powerful message.

Langfield has created a striking cover for Splash! with the use of blue and a shy Lucy exploring colour on her hand, wordlessly conveying the essence of the book. The use of dark shades effectively shows that Lucy is in a dark place. The large black cloud over her head is powerful—it instantly communicates that no matter what she does, the cloud follows her. The bright splash of yellow captures a pivotal moment in the story. I love the double-page spread of the students in the art room, where the only colours used are greys with splashes of yellow. Visually, this tells the reader so much. Yellow, being a colour associated with happiness, is a perfect choice here.

Langfield’s use of perspective, zooming in and out on the pages, strongly enhances the visual storytelling. The contrasts between the heaviness and lightness of feelings are beautifully represented through the colours. The illustrations perfectly mirror Lucy’s emotions. Once colour is introduced, the book comes to life with vibrancy and joy. The silent double-page spread of a colourful rainbow speaks volumes without words. It’s a moment where the illustrations say so much more than words ever could.

Splash! is a multi-layered picture book, perfect for every child’s bookshelf, classroom, counsellor, parent, artist, and librarian. It teaches that there’s always light after darkness, offering hope, strategies, and the healing power of art and friendship. Ideal for children aged 4 to 8, its vibrant illustrations and relatable themes of anxiety and friendship make it a perfect choice for young readers and a valuable resource for discussing emotional well-being.