Review of ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’

Let me start be saying that really I’m not reviewing these books, as they are classics…so obviously they are fabulous. But in order to properly categorise this post (and I do so like things neat…librarian much) I feel the need to put ‘review’ in the title.

Click on title links or cover images to purchase.

If you’ve never entered the world of May Gibbs, you really must. NOW. You will adore ‘The Complete Adventures of  ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ –  gumnut babies who have the most amazing adventures together through the Australian bush. The flannel flower babies and the sweet pea babies are some of my favourite friends of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. I was completely terrified as a child of the Banksia Men and Mr Goanna and at 37, I still have major issues with goannas and I still slink past banksia trees lest the darned seed pods come to life.

I have treasured for many years now my childhood copy of ‘The Complete Adventures of  ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’, given to me by my lovely grandparents, and I’m hoping Nan might read the stories to her great grandchildren. My sister and I went as gumnut babies to a Book Week parade when we were young and I’ve searched high and low for the photo…we were extremely cute gumnut babies if I do say so myself. Mum also made us Fimo (remember Fimo?!) gumnut jewellery which I loved, and homemade showercaps screenprinted with gumleaves on them. I think I have just outed mum online with her 80s craft…she really is a woman of impeccable style and taste I assure you.

‘The Complete Adventures of  ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ is a great read from lower primary school age, but there are now gorgeous board books and you can see all formats available here.  I’ve been wishing away PudStar’s early years just itching to read these classic Australian stories to her, so I am slightly overexcited about the younger reader editions.

Follow it up in the home, classroom or library:

• Well seriously…you have to make gumnut babies don’t you? Here are the ones that PudStar and I made.
• Make gum leaf bunting…way too excellent for words.
• Scribble notes on gumleaves for the gumnut babies – great for the pre writer or the just learning to write.
• Research the life of May Gibbs: an amazing woman. The May Gibbs Nutcote site is the best place to start, and if you live in NSW you can visit!
• If you are a writer, check out the May Gibbs Literature Trust.