Review of ‘Baby Tawnies’

Please welcome to Children’s Books Daily, Fiona Eastwood. Fiona is a primary school teacher librarian at Coopers Plains State School. ‘Baby Tawnies’ is a delightful book for younger readers – it is currently one of PudStar’s favourites.

Title: ‘Baby Tawnies’
Author/Illustrator: Judy Paulson
Publisher: Random House
Age Range: Early Childhood – Lower Primary
Themes:  facing fears, growing up, courage, new skills, siblings, family, role models, habitat, nests, nocturnal, birds, tawny frogmouths

 A classic tale of spreading your wings, with an Australian twist.

As darkness falls, two tawny frogmouths fly into the forest to find food.

Far above the ground, Reggie and Lyla are left alone.

But the little tawnies don’t plan to stay in the nest . . .

 ‘Baby Tawnies’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and informative story from author- illustrator Judy Paulson about facing fears, growing up and embracing life.

Lyla and Reggie are tawny frogmouth fledglings (not owls says the information at the back). Mother brown and father grey leave them in the nest each night in search of tasty morsels for their babies. The bold Lyla takes the lead and gets out of the nest and stretches her wings. The reluctant Reggie is glued to the nest; then the branch by his fears.

This  charming twist to the boy-girl stereotype will intrigue young readers as will the lyrical language used. Judy Paulson raises the bar with her vocabulary – employing alliteration, simile and metaphor. The story flows in white font on a night blue background with the pictures enhancing every page. The detailed and delightful illustrations have been collaged from 3D felt images.

‘Baby Tawnies’ is highly recommended for early years for a library or bedtime read. Or if teachers want to be mean and keep the pictures a surprise, then a lesson on inferring could easily take shape.

Teachers notes are here.