Lazy Daisy, busy Lizzie by Mary Ellen Jordan

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Ill. by Andrew Welden. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74237 429 1. 20p
(Age Early Learning Centres and Junior Primary). Well recommended. The colourful soft feel of the cover entices the young reader to open the book and find endpapers revealing the daytime scene of a normal farm. But all is not normal! The cow eats jelly, the pig doesn't like mud, chicken Lizzie dances through the air, and Frankie the dog sits in the armchair watching television while eating cake and drinking tea. What an unusual group of animals! The final night endpapers reveal all are peacefully sleeping which seems to be the only usual activity they do. The paper has a smooth tactile feel and with the cover is very pleasant, both on the eye and to the touch. The clear illustrations are boldly painted in water colours. This story could easily encourage young writers to make up their own versions.
Sue Nosworthy

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