Sunny and Storm by Tanya Hennessy. Illus. by Rachael McLean

Sunny and Storm, written by Tanya Hennessy and illustrated by Rachael McLean, is a hilariously funny and highly entertaining story that bursts with imagination, friendship and wonderfully silly language.

Sunny and Storm are not just best friends - they are Besticles: best, best, best, bestest best friends! The two girls love spending time together and filling their shared journal with the many made-up words they invent. Words like Fluffit, fiddlewallop and anivac to name just a few! This playful language contributes to the appeal of the story.

The girls live in the country, where everyday life comes with its own unique challenges - like constantly dodging piles of animal poo! Even school isn’t safe from the chaos, especially when Somewhere, the local wandering cow, often turns up anywhere and everywhere. These quirky rural moments add to the humour and give the story a lively and relatable backdrop.

When Storm and Sunny are given a whole week of reflection time at school for something they insist they didn’t do, and then it happens again, the girls decide they’ve had enough. Determined to clear their names, they set out to uncover who is really responsible. Their investigation adds a fast-paced mystery element that keeps readers engaged while still delivering plenty of laughs along the way.

Hennessy’s writing is witty, energetic and packed with comedic timing that makes the story exciting and entertaining. Combined with McLean’s amusing and animated black-and-white illustrations to perfectly complement the text; adding extra layers of humour and visual comedy.

The creative use of different fonts, bold words and varied text sizes adds another engaging dimension, helping emphasise jokes and emotions while making the pages feel lively and dynamic.

Sunny and Storm is a standout for engagement and entertainment. With its memorable characters, laugh-out-loud humour, and inventive storytelling, it’s the kind of book readers will race through and want to share with friends. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many more adventures for these two unforgettable Besticles.

Themes: Friendship, School, Country Life, Mystery, Humour, Relationships, Family.

Michelle O'Connell