#BookReview: The Postman’s My Mate, Kelly Louise Jarris (author), Natalie Herington (illus.), KLJ Books, June 2024.
Blurb:
Join Charlie on an adventure as he unwraps a world full of surprises and imagination.
When his very best mate, the postman arrives with a mysterious package, Charlie’s day transforms into “The Best Birthday Ever!”
What’s inside? Rockets, pirates, dinosaurs, or something else?
Join Charlie and his animal buddies for this charming journey where creativity, imagination, friendship and the joy of recycling collide.
What’s in the box?
Review:
There’s so much to love about this picture book – the beauty of the Aussie outback with its remote living and its flora and fauna, the unique friendships, the fact that even the simplest things can be made into something extraordinary, and that it has environmental benefits, too. The Postman’s My Mate encapsulates those special feelings of joy, home and wonder, delivered in a package of warmth and imagination.
Charlie and the postie are good mates, even though the visits are few and far between. But on these rare occasions, the two play fun pranks on each other, and this banter is like a treasure. So, when the postie delivers a mysterious boxed package to Charlie before his birthday, this is where his curious imagination begins to take flight. Could it be a monster, a rocket, a pirate ship, a dinosaur? It’s nothing but a note, in fact. But the postie’s special message inspires Charlie, and the box, along with some craft supplies, proves to be the best present ever!
Kelly Jarris’ rollicking rhyming couplets are just as playful as its story, and together with Natalie Herington’s beautifully silky and dusty, bright and earthy-toned Australian watercolours, every page literally pops with imagination! I adore how the illustrations take the creativity to another level with the little details telling stories of their own. Plus, the ideas and materials illustrated for the DIY homemade projects are simply genius. Also, the outback scenes and native wildlife are brilliantly suited to ‘The Postman’s My Mate’ with its quintessential Aussie flavour.
Encouraging resourcefulness and empowering the careful thought into sustainable practices, appreciating our unique landscapes and the beauty within it, as well as understanding the important roles of our community workers, particularly in remote areas, are just some of the treasured themes to come from this book. The biggest one of all, though, is the power of the imagination, which, when unlimited, means anything is possible. The Postman’s My Mate has gifted that to us all.
Review by Romi Sharp.
Find Kelly Louise Jarris at her website: Kelly Louise Jarris Books and on Facebook and Instagram.
Natalie Herington can be found at her website: Natalie Herington Bird Valley Illustration and Design | Australian watercolour illustrator and on Facebook and Instagram.
A Special Delivery: The Postman’s My Mate #BookGiveaway!
Click here for details on how to enter to WIN a SIGNED COPY of The Postman’s My Mate, courtesy of Kelly Louise Jarris!
Join in this imaginative adventure with Kelly Louise Jarris and Natalie Herington and their creative and hands-on picture book, The Postman’s My Mate, delivering the gift of joy to readers across the blogosphere!
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