Ten little figs by Rhian Williams
Illus. by Nathaniel Eckstrom. Walker Books Australia, 2020. ISBN:
9781921977312.
(Ages: 2-6) Recommended. Ten Little Figs is by newcomer
author Rhian Williams and established illustrator Nathaniel Eckstrom
(The Dress-Up Box and Duck!). '10 little figs are
on my tree. I love figs and they're all for me. A flying fox
dives, fast and low. Where, oh where, did that fig go?'. And
so, the countdown begins as each of the ten figs are taken from the
tree by a parade of Australian insects and animals (leaf-curling
spiders, finches, green ants, rainbow lorikeets, wombats, Hercules
moths, echidnas, spotted-tailed quoll). Before long there is only
one fig left on the tree, but the little boy can't reach it. 'Why,
oh why, is there no fig for me? But who is this climbing out of
the tree? It's my daddy . . . and what do I see? The last little
fig! And we will share it- just him and me.'
It is nice to see some unusual inclusions in the animal line-up and
the information on the last page explains that 'the juicy figs in
this story grow on the sandpaper fig tree. It has leaves as rough as
sandpaper and, just like all the animals in this book, it is native
to Australia'. Dreamy, soft illustrations depict a rambling
Australian background with a commanding fig tree at its centre.
Complete with a dog, a jacaranda tree, a rickety wooden fence and a
tree swing, this will feel like home for many of those reading it.
The tree itself is so immense that we never see it in its entirety,
instead being treated to tantalising glimpses of it from various
perspectives and heights around the garden. There are also some
hidden illustrative features that children might spot on repeat
readings (a clue to the next creature is visible on the preceding
pages, for example) and a visual number chart at the end for
reference and recall.
This is a beautifully-imagined book about noticing and finding joy
in our natural world and will particularly resonate with anyone who
has a beloved fig tree in their backyard (or any bountiful fruit
tree for that matter). Themes: Counting book, Native Australian
animals, Rhyming story.
Nicole Nelson