Ebb & Flo: Party pooper by Laura Bunting & Philip Bunting

Anything written by Laura and Philip Bunting warrants attention from librarians, teachers and parents! Laura is a children's book author and Philip is an author and illustrator. Australian readers are familiar with books such as Liarbird and Mopoke, which along with others have been recognised by the Australian Children's Book Council as notable books. Ebb and Flo: Party pooper is the latest addition to the Ebb and Flo series which is a fun learn to read series based around the idea of "Small words, big feelings!" As Megan Daley, Raising Readers says, "Ebb and Flo are the friends your child needs by their side on their learn-to-read journey!" Even the title reminds the reader of the joyful wordplay that is infused through books written and illustrated by the Buntings. 

Ebb and Flo are two delightful little cartoonish characters. Flo is a little yellow ball shaped creature reminiscent (slightly perhaps) of the Mr Men or Little Miss series and Ebb is a purple pear-shaped blob. Pastel colours are used. Ebb and Flo are invited to Zig's party. The two friends are full of different expectations - Flo loves the games and Ebb loves party food. At the party they play traditional party games but to Ebb's increasing horror the prizes are all healthy vegies and there is no sign of sweet party cakes etc. For Ebb a party is not a party unless he has eaten so much that he has vomited. Ebb becomes increasingly upset and rude to his host. He is a real party pooper until Flo reminds him of his own strange habits that Zig in turn might find weird. In the end Ebb apologises and puts on a good face in order to be a proper friend.  Ebb experiences a range of feelings including anticipation, disappointment, anger and regret and he learns what he has to do to rebuild a relationship and stop being a horrible party pooper.

The tone of Party pooper is warm and buoyant. Sentences are short and each is illustrated. The font is large and bold. There is a bonus page of fun stickers and also a How to step-by-step procedure on how to draw Zig included in the end pages. 

Warm, delightful and instructive, Ebb and Flo: Party pooper is highly recommended - in fact you will want to collect the whole Ebb and Flo series to read together at home and at school! All is well in the world when children have access to books like Ebb and Flo: Party pooper.

Themes: Manners as a guest, Respecting difference, Birthday parties, Feelings.

Wendy Jeffrey