Two women, Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell, set off from Perth in 1928 determined to beat the land speed record to Adelaide. It had only been set a few months before and many were scathing that it could be done again particularly not by women. But they did it coming in five hours ahead of schedule, and then setting off to Melbourne. They had covered the 2824 kms in two days, nine hours and 57 minutes.
Like many stories of women’s achievements, the tenacity shown by them fighting against blinkered ignorance and even hostility, will have quite an effect on the readers, used now to much greater equality than one hundred years ago. Seeing the women put down and derided, underlines the efforts such pioneers had on the rise of feminism and the gaining of equal rights.
This splendid picture book shows how dedicated they were, fitting out their Lancia Lambda with all their needs for such a trip. The book takes us on the journey with them as they leave Perth and travel east, stopping at several stations on the way where they were treated with welcome cups of tea. Keeping themselves awake proved to be a problem until they began to sing together as the miles rolled by. The hardships of such a drive into unknown territory is shown in all of its problems as they become stuck in mud or have a flat tyre. Alone, they had to solve the problems for themselves, so unlike the big car rallies today where the eyes of the world are on the teams, via satellite, mobile phone and the rest, help available in an instant. Theses two lone women then passed through Ceduna, and Port Augusta, finally making Adelaide where no one was waiting for them, because they were so early.
The beautiful watercolour illustrations will encourage the readers to feel that they are there on the trip between Perth and Adelaide. The scenery is breathtaking, spectacular and fascinating, with details of flora and fauna that people see on the way. Readers will watch out for the detail in the background and look closely at the condition of the tracks they are travelling on, while revelling in the images of the car and all it held for their trip.
A map at the start of the book shows their journey and at the end of the book is extra information about the two women alongside a wonderful drawing of the vehicle.
This wonderful story evokes a world that is different from the one experienced by children today, and will give them a moment to think about how they would have coped with the journey these women made.
Themes Journey, Australian history, Road trip, Challenges.
Fran Knight
Ghost book by Remy Lai
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761065477. (Age:8-12) Recommended.
In Redhill Hospital two strange beings are marching through the corridors but no one sees or hears them. Horseface and Oxhead are carrying out tasks for the King of the Underworld, gathering ghosts of the newly dead as directed by the names on their list. But that night they were tasked with gathering two ghosts and left with only one. Twelve years later at Redhill Elementary school students are scaring themselves with stories about Hungry Ghosts. It is the seventh month of the lunar calendar when the gates of the Underworld are supposed to open and unless you are holding a special amulet you can be consumed by a Hungry Ghost. When a group of students decide to summon Tumour Ghost from a pond at school, July, one of their classmates no one remembers, offers her lunch, her dad’s wonky dumplings, to help lure out the ghost. July can see ghosts with her special yin-yang eyes and she sees a boy ghost and his pet mingling with the children but the others are oblivious. When the real Tumour Ghost does appear and sucks the dumplings dry the children run screaming to the teacher. When Tumour Ghost seizes the boy ghost and is about to eat him, July saves him by thrusting the special talisman into it. July has always been able to see ghosts but, to fit in, she has to pretend she doesn’t, however the new ghost is harder to ignore. His name is William and claims to be not dead, but in a coma. He wants July to tell his mum he is ok. The two battle more hungry ghosts, feeding them with special dumplings and find out more about themselves and the netherworld as the scary story unfolds.
The colourful comic style graphics are a pleasure to read, the main character distinguished by her ever-present red lunchbox while the ghostly characters with soft outlines are less opaque. Backstories are easy to identify in monochrome. I was reminded of Festival of Shadows by Atelier Sento with a similar subject matter, but while quite scary, with its themes of death and sacrifice, this is more suitable for a younger audience. It is good to see an Australian book tapping into folklore of other Asian cultures and at the same time Remy Lai includes characters who feel they are unseen or ignored who find friendship in unexpected places, a feeling common in all cultures.
What a wonderful friendship is shown in this book, the next in the series of books about the relationship between Gerald the elephant and his friend, Piggie.
When fun loving Piggie announces that she is a frog, cautious Gerald is taken aback, and suggests that she is a pig. But no, says Piggie, she was a pig but now she is a frog, and she leapfrogs over the elephant and says ribbit. Gerald comments that you learn something new everyday and asks Piggie when she became frog. Five minutes ago is the response so the elephant suggests that he too could become a frog, but thinking about hopping and eating flies and saying ribbit does not appeal. Gerald becomes quite upset abut not being a frog to be like his friend and cries. Piggie reassures him that he should not worry as it is only pretend. A discussion about the meaning of the word pretend follows as Piggie explains that pretending is when you act like something you are not. This is a new concept to Gerald, who takes a while for the idea to settle in. He asks Piggie questions about the idea, but when she asks him to pretend that he is a frog too, he refuses. It seems the idea is lost on Gerald, until the page is turned. The twist will ensure all readers will laugh out loud, if they are not already, and try the game of pretend for themselves.
This captivating story of a strong friendship with each friend supporting the other, despite misgivings, will give heart to younger readers, many of whom are trying out friendships for themselves, and learning of the sometimes tentative moments between friends, where support is given without question.
Gerald and Piggie support and encourage each other, Gerald supporting Piggie despite being concerned about being a frog, while Piggie supports Gerald when he becomes upset. Neither questions the other without support and encouragement, providing wonderful role models for the readers.
A read aloud version can be seen here. Or try reading it outloud yourselves.
Such fun.
Themes Friendship, Elephant and Piggie series, Support, Positive encouragement.
Fran Knight
Do penguins' feet freeze?: Wild answers to wacky questions from nature by Natural History Museum London
Do Penguins' Feet Freeze? is a delightful glossy non-fiction book which answers some interesting questions about all sorts of creatures and aspects of nature. Beginning with the contents spread across a double page and ending with an index and picture credits, this book will provide young readers (and adults) with the answers to what may be some perplexing questions. There are over 65 questions and include subjects such as:
Do octopuses dream? According to scientists, the octopus goes through two phases of sleep, similar to humans, a slow phase and a more active phase where their skin changes colour and pattern. In humans more active stage REM, we tend to dream so maybe the octopus is doing the same thing.
Do vampire bats really suck blood? Apparently not! They use heat sensors to detect where blood is near to the surface of the skin and cut through the skin with sharp teeth. They then lap up the blood. Do birds have local dialects? It appears that town birds have a slightly higher pitch than birds from the countryside and the yellowhammer living in NZ has a completely different song from those living in the UK.
Each page in this book is brightly coloured with segmented information easily accessible for middle primary readers, large headings and introductory comments, as well as stunning photographs that are clearly labelled. This book definitely has a place in a home, school or public library.
Themes Animals, Facts, Questions, Nature.
Kathryn Beilby
That's not my kitten by Fiona Watt. illus. by Rachel Wells
Another touchy feely book from Usborne, in the series of touchy feely books which aim to delight, entertains and inform. I read That’s not my rocket a few months ago and thought it would be a good vehicle for animals as well, then this one came across my desk.
This one starts on the front cover with ears that feel very soft. My grandaughter’s hands go straight to the different feeling material on each double page where I am still looking for the differences.
Each double page shows a kitten in various poses, and the same line given, ‘That’ s not my kitten.’
Then a reason given which shows what the child will feel. In the first page the tongue is too fuzzy, so hands will feel the unusual surface. The illustrations are bold, bright and colourful with little detail to distract the eyes from the main thing, the kitten.
Over the pages, its nose is too smooth, the bell is too shiny, its paws are too rough, until finally we find the kitten because its tummy is fluffy.
A patchwork of different textures will delight younger children, listening to the language, learning the one repeated line and taking on the different words which describe a kitten: paws, ears, tummy etc.
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781760526207. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
This is another stunning graphic novel/picture book/nature diary that will be adored by Trace Balla, nature and graphic novel fans. Leaf-light is a companion book to Landing with Wingsas it features Miri and her mum in their new community, however it also works perfectly as a standalone. As the front cover professes, this is 'a story about caring for each other', and this is inclusive of both people and animals. The front endpapers show a map of Miri's small community in Djaara Country (central Victoria) and introduce us to who lives there.
The main story is about Miri and her neighbours caring for an orphaned emu chick but there are multiple threads running through that focus on her connection to the community, their care for one another and how they work together to make their world a better place. One of the neighbouring families are Dja Dja Wurrung people so some local cultural practices and Djarra language are also worked in (with permission from and consultation with elders).
As with her other similar publications (Rockhopping, Rivertime), the illustrations (hand-drawn with an Apple Pencil on an iPad Pro) are bursting with detail and labelled flora and fauna. The story is told through a mixture of narration, speech bubbles and rich, labelled illustrations. At first glance there is a lot going on in every page, but if you take your time and allow the author to guide you through, you are in for a rewarding and nurturing reading experience. Young kids will love perusing this themselves, and it is of course, totally unnecessary to read every word on the page. For this reason, multiple readings are beneficial, with new details revealing themselves. This is another special book from Trace Balla that is entirely deserving of a spot on every library and home bookshelf.
On one ordinary high school day in Melbourne 1982, 16-year-old Lisa Keller’s world is turned upside down. Her beloved father Emil has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and it completely sends the life as Lisa once knew into a spin. If navigating the unwritten rules of high school, first love and friendship dramas were not enough, Lisa now faces the horrific and heart-wrenching truth of her father’s hidden past. With only six months to live, Emil chooses to share his story about the life he has kept secret up until now.This story encompasses Emil’s early childhood memories, his journey to Auschwitz as a young boy with his family, and the shocking abuse and deprivation he suffered at the hands of the Nazis.
Each Friday evening after the MND diagnosis, the family, which includes Lisa’s Mum and her two medical student brothers, gathers to hear Emil’s story. They tape his story on cassettes and video the retelling for their future. As the storytelling continues, Lisa begins to lose her identity as she finds out her father changed his name from Rosenfeld to Keller, she had family in Czechoslovakia she knew nothing about, that her father as a teenager endured unbelievable suffering in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, barely survived ‘The Death March’ in 1945, and that closer to home, she fears her peers finding out she has Jewish heritage.
The use of alternate chapters to share Emil’s journey and Lisa’s response to her father’s story provides the reader with an escape from the harrowing life experienced by Emil and to become immersed in Lisa’s daily life as she tries to cope with the secrets she is being told. She in turn tries to maintain some normalcy at school but pushes away those that are closest to her. For Lisa the last weeks with her father as he succumbs to his illness is fraught with despair, but she finds solace in the writing down of his story, and gradually lets others in to share her pain.
The author, Suzy Zail, has based Inkflower on her 2006 non-fiction book, The Tattooed Flower: a memoir, her own father’s story of his brutal experiences in WW2, starting a new life in Australia, his MND diagnosis and his passing from the disease. Young adult readers of Inkflower may find the descriptions of the terrible conditions, the inhumane treatment and abuses confronting, but it is also a story of unbreakable family bonds, young love, hope, resilience, and enduring friendship.
A remarkable story. Teacher's notes and information are available from the publisher.
Themes World War Two, Holocaust, Secrets, Jewish People, Hardship, Deprivation, Love, Family, Motor Neurone Disease, Relationships, School.
Kathryn Beilby
One song by A.J. Betts
Pan Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781761264900. (Age:16+) Recommended.
Eva has musical talent that needs to be recognised. Her one desire is to make the finals of Unearthed the Triple-J music competition for High Schoolers. She is in year 12, so this is her last chance. Cooper, her one time boyfriend, has managed to convince her to give it one more shot …. not to resume their relationship but to add a band to embellish her vocals and keyboards. Lead guitarist Cooper has always been able to twist her heart and inspire her, so they embark on a final wild weekend of creativity with Ant, the drummer and moody Ruby the bassist added to give Eva’s lyrics more gravitas. The song they need to produce has a deadline that tortures them and the weekend has many moments of tension and heartbreak. Through it all Mim records her ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary of the process, documenting a drama with notes of romance, teen angst, occasional humour and misunderstanding, and the tension of an impossible pursuit for success and maybe fame. All this cacophony of desire takes place in the studio on the grounds of an absent but famous old rock star, who just happens to be Cooper’s father.
This is a very compelling YA story with the accompanied beat of drums and guitars and ambition. With the occasional interruption of mental illness issues, feminine hygiene concerns, unrequited love and the underlying fear of failure, this story’s deadline to create a song adds a tension that creates a powerful impact for the reader. The ‘lockdown’ in the studio to force the creative project seems more like a teen disaster (alcohol is involved), but musical progress is possible. I am sure that readers, with or without musical connections, aged 16+ will enjoy the journey of creation of One Song. This is a teen story, a roller coaster of discovery with many twists on the romance front, but it is also a coming-to-maturity tale that is entertaining on many levels.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied, a Muslim woman born in Sudan, brought up in Australia, now living in London, social justice advocate and engineer, has written a powerful and important book based on survey questions from UK children on the topic of racism. After a brief introduction from the author, she explains how the chapters are organised with an important guide giving strategies to deal with any heightened emotions that may occur from reading the book. The first section deals with the history of racism. This is followed by the second section which deals with what racism looks like today and the final section provides information about standing up and speaking out against racism. There is a comprehensive glossary and index in the final pages.
The first question, ‘Why does racism exist?’ is explained in detail and talks about colonisation, enslavement, and the desire for some countries to make money and control others. ‘Divide and conquer’ is discussed with an example presented geared towards school-aged readers. The second section begins with the four key ways racism shows itself: internalised (inside us), interpersonal (between people), institutional (rules in school and government), systemic (how it all comes together). Each is explained clearly in accessible language with excellent examples given. The final section has some powerful questions answered. For example, ‘Why should I care about racism when there are so many other things going on?' and ‘All the bad stuff happened so long ago. I didn’t do it. Why should I care? It’s not my fault.’
Throughout this book the author ‘talks’ to her readers gently, and respectfully gives examples of racism from around the world. She shares many wonderful strategies to enable young people to rethink how they can be a person of change. The use of brightly coloured illustrations, speech bubbles, infographics, tables, charts, text boxes with key facts, all aim to provide the reader with visual prompts to emphasise and support the significance of this topic.
With the ‘Indigenous Voice to Parliament’ referendum in Australia imminent, this book would be a valuable resource to share with school students in upper primary and secondary classes, to enable them to grasp the history behind racism and how it has influenced what is happening in 2023.
Rock the Boat, 2023. ISBN: 9780861542963. (Age:10-14) Highly recommended.
During the first day of his family holiday on the Island of Texel in The Netherlands, Sam meets Tess, an imposing 12-year-old girl who immediately involves Sam in her everyday adventures.Sam’s older brother Jasper has broken his ankle and so the family can’t enjoy the normal activities together on the island. Sam’s mother also gets frequent migraines, adding to the restrictions on their family time together. Tess has her own problems; she has never met her father and has hatched a plan to lure him to the island to see if she wants to involve him in the life she has with her very independent, confident mother.She has conflicted feelings about her father because of the way her mother is determined to keep him a secret until she is eighteen. Sam suspects she has befriended him to assist her to bring her plans to fruition.
Sam is grappling with other issues.When he and Tess help an old man bury his pet canary it starts a cycle of thought about death and what he would do if he lost his loved ones. He starts to spend less time with them to see if this would help him in the long run.He is helped to realise the stupidity of this thinking by the endearing elderly gentleman in the story.The characters are well-developed, and the imperfect relationship Sam has with his older brother is realistic and heartwarming. The book was made into an award-winning Dutch film titled My Extraordinary Summer with Tess and the book has been translated into 13 languages.
Themes Friendship, Fathers, Holidays, family.
Gabrielle Anderson
Baby Day by Jane Goodwin and Davina Bell. Illus. by Freya Blackwood
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761470080. (Age:1+) Highly recommended.
This inviting board book of the tumultuous events occurring at baby’s first birthday party begs to be shared widely. Sturdy construction and more pages than is usually offered in a board book, kids will gather round to have it read aloud, enjoying the fun of a group of kids celebrating a birthday, laughing at the antics of all the other babies, seeking out the family dog as it appears.
Peering out from his cot, baby is taken to the picnic spot where other parents and babies have gathered. Umbrellas and chairs are put out, picnic baskets unpacked, hats put on, pushers parked. The fun begins as the children interact, one wanting to push the other in a cart, one wanting to tell the others what to do, some using the play equipment, several sitting at the table to try the food. Readers will laugh along with the characters on the pages as the children are shown playing together, eating and taking in all the new experiences.
Some are bossy, some lazy, some busy, but each is doing something in the park. Each of Blackwood’s inviting illustrations shows children interacting, doing something together, engaging in a new experience. Sometimes parents are shown in the background, watchful and shepherding. Two mums give out ice creams on one double page, one lost to the dog when the page is turned.
As the day wears on, the children become fractious, and the tone of the text begins to change as some children are sad or loud, but then it is time for cake and everyone crowds around the birthday cake with one candle, ready to sing happy birthday. A photo of the group is to be taken, and again Blackwood’s wonderfull illustration belies the ability of the children to sit together as one. Now it is definitely time to go home as the children become tired and angry, wriggly and cranky. All say goodbye as our family heads for home, baby has a bath and a story and put to bed.
A lovely afternoon birthday party for baby.
This delightful page turner will intrigue younger readers who will recognise many things in the story. The warmth of the occasion resonates through the tale as the children play together, watched over by the parents. Some intervention is required but in the main the children are left to explore, interact and play together.
Children will take notice of the food and play equipment, while older readers and adults will look more closely at the words used to describe the children as they play. The illustrations and text meld to make a wonderful read aloud for all young children, perfectly encapsulating the fun and mayhem experienced at such events. First published in 2019 as a picture book, this is a welcome reissue.
Middle grade fans of fantasy, adventure and action on the high seas will be enthralled by this debut novel, The Quest for the Galleon of Time written by author Tanya Hunter. Set in 1738, 11-year-old Tobias Crane is unexpectedly sent to work by his father on the galleon, the Merry Maiden. Devastated by his father’s decision, young Tobias has no choice in the matter and leaves his beloved mother, younger brother Matthew, and best friend Climber behind in Jacob’s Landing.
On board Tobias finds friendship with other cabin boys, friendly and amiable Quinn and Abalone, as well as tough and prickly Albert who hides a secret. Tobias quickly settles into life on the ocean and discovers he has an interest in navigation. He is trained initially by Captain Tremaine, but then gruff and unfriendly Finnian takes over his education. It is while Tobias is at the helm that the ship is attacked by the pirate ship, Hades’ Damnation which is captained by Captain Tremaine’s older evil brother Ryker. Fortunately they are able to stave off the attack and cripple the pirate ship.
This is the beginning of an eventful few months for Tobias where he learns about the legend of the ghost galleon, the Majestic Maria, captained by Captain Tremaine’s deceased brother Lisbon, twin to Ryker. Tobias has been previously warned to get a message to his father, that he is being hunted by Lisbon as he was a part of the crew that abandoned him. Then a huge storm destroys the Merry Maiden and the crew abandon ship. Quinn and Tobias are rescued by the ghost galleon and taken to a seemingly deserted island which turns out to be inhabited by Quinn’s adoptive family. There the two boys find Finnian and Abalone and help save the village from the evil Ryker. And with the help of Lisbon and the ghostly Majestic Maria, will they be able to rescue Captain Tremaine, Albert and the rest of the crew?
But the story does not end there as this is the first exciting book in the series that will keep readers guessing what will happen next. The wonderful descriptions of life onboard the galleon, the danger faced by the main characters and the bravery they show, their enduring friendships and humour will entertain readers of all ages.
Readers who enjoyed The sea and us will be delighted to discover that Catherine de Saint Phalle has picked up the story of Harold, Marylou, and Verity again in this latest novel, to explore the next phase of their lives at the fish and chip shop in Melbourne. For readers who have not read the first novel, Saint Phalle quickly brings you up to speed, and it is enough to know that Marylou is a severely traumatised Korean sex worker, Harold is a benign, but self-doubting hero, and Verity is the kind-hearted woman who has taken in the lodgers above her shop.
The narrator is Harold, his insecurities revealed to us: he is a good-intentioned person, but repeatedly in his life he has taken flight when situations have become too complex or confrontational, firstly escaping from his mother to Korea for 18 years, and then in this novel, running from his betrayal of Marylou, and immersing himself in the Czech Republic, the country of his ancestors.
The phrase 'flotsam, jetsam, ligan and derelict' recurs in this book, as in the first, the idea of people adrift, without anchorage, some able to be salvaged, some perhaps not. Harold finds his bearings in Prague with the deceptively coincidental connections that unite the past with his present life. He discovers friends and relatives of his family that lived through the trauma of Nazi occupation and Soviet invasion, and he comes to recognise the trauma that continues still today.
The trigger for all these events is a plea from the dying ex-husband of Verity, a man guilty of heinous crimes against women. The harmonious but fragile lives of The sea and us are disturbed, and in the upheaval, Harold makes a mistake.
In this as in its predecessor, the themes of abuse, deception and disappointment are explored, but once again, it is genuine caring, compassion and kindness that win through. Most especially, the lone brave figure of Petr, the little boy that Harold comes to care for, will win your heart. Call me Marlowe is an absolute pleasure to read, in the refreshing and understated way that it draws in the reader and connects with unusual but truly good-hearted people.
A very funny story about size is presented within the tale of a balloon showing how a girl and her elephant see how big the balloon can be inflated. Elly asks the girl if she wants a balloon. Eagerly she accepts but then asks how big it can be. Elly then tries different sizes with his balloon. Is it to be as big as the goldfish bowl, or as big as the bike, or block tower of the moon? Worried that this will be too big, and make the balloon pop, they then make is smaller, the girl suggests it may be as small as her cat, or a piece of toast or a half moon.
But the ball begins to lose its air and raves around the room angrily.
Now it is the balloon's time to speak up.
He is not pleased, and produces a balloon owner’s contract which will make the owner think twice about owning a balloon. A list of words is given which describe ‘big’ which will amuse the readers, and following are several pages of things that will not be good for a balloon. Prickly things like cacti and garden implements, or cutty things like scissors and saws, bitey things like crocodiles and bear traps.
And the last promise is to care for the balloon when it is old and shrunk.
Readers will be laughing out loud at the idea of a balloon making demands, but all are designed to encourage children to treat their balloons with care.
Kids will love the size comparisons adding their own as the story is read, and learn about the best ways to treat a balloon. The girl’s decision making skills are demonstrated as she makes up her mind about what to do. How big should her balloon be is the question uppermost in her mind and to roam over all the possibilities will amuse and intrigue readers.
The yellow of the balloon is reflected throughout the story and the softness of each page underscores the care of a child for her possessions. Overlapping images using yellow, greys and touches of black and copious areas of white point to the strength of the design process. I loved looking for the balloon on each pager, the expressions on the elephant’s face, reading the girl’s feelings and loved being surprised by the change of the pages from bedroom to the moon, then the balloon’s contract. Each page was a delight, informing the readers about the complex plight of the humble balloon. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Balloons, Caring, Discussion.
Fran Knight
Did I ever tell you how lucky you are? by Dr Seuss
A fifty year anniversary edition of Dr Seuss’ Did I ever tell you how lucky you are? will have children roaring with laughter today just as much as they did half a century ago. The impetus to help children learn to read through humour was behind the Dr Seuss books. And this book of poems offers more than meets the eye.
An old man is giving advice to a younger person, called Duckie by the older man, who now tells us what he said. When you think things are bad and terribly sad then think of others who are far worse off. And so begins a hilarious list of people in predicaments that are ridiculous, magical and fantastic. Think of poor Ali who must mow his uncle’s backyard where the lawn grows back as soon as he mows it, or what about the person riding a camel on a wamel. What happens when the wamel becomes loose. You might be an abandoned left sock, or the Schlottz with an unenviable tail up in knots, or professor De Breeze whose life’s work has been to teach ducks how to read, an impossible task everyone must agree. There are so many far worse off. A new poem is offered on each page, a funny, fantastic poem that begs to be read aloud and read along with the audience. Some poems use incredible made up words, some are tongue twisters, some have names that will play havoc with pronunciation. Try saying the bee watcher poem out loud! Or the Borfin that shlumps, or the puffing poogleborn players going down the stairs.
All of these characters are much more unlucky than the reader.
So thank goodness they are not in their shoes. Seuss reiterates how lucky the reader is, promoting from fifty years ago an interest in mental health, in well being, and equanimity. This is a very funny, light hearted book of poems that will entertain, offering beneath the guise of silliness a whole gamut of understandings that will be discussed and considered by all who read them.
A very funny reading by John Cleeses can be found here. And the illustrations are incredible, bringing the fantastic creatures to the fore, a visual image to hang the poem on, a laugh out loud offering that will be closely observed, perused and absorbed through gales of laughter.
