A little boy is talking to his baby brother who is sleeping peacefully in his cot. He tells him he desperately wants him to grow up faster and share his adventures. He tells him that he imagines both of them riding their bikes together through the jungle with snakes hanging off the branches of the trees and hiding together in a cave hung with vines. And then, when they’re even a little older, they’ll make their beds on the roof and read about dragons, crowns and swords. And maybe take their wooden boat out on the ocean, see whales, bears and icebergs and have a great adventure.
This book leaves you with a feeling of joyful satisfaction. Every page is exquisitely illustrated in a dreamy sort of way, but so detailed that you can notice something new every time you turn the pages.
The story oozes love and the wonderful bond that can exist between brothers. I particularly love the dog who is always there, enjoying himself with his long tongue hanging out, and itching to help.
I do hope that you and your children will enjoy this book as much as I have.
Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 4+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sofie Laguna originally studied to be a lawyer, but after deciding law was not for her, she moved to Melbourne to train as an actor. Sofie worked for many years as an actor before she began to write books.
Sofie’s second novel for adults, The Eye of the Sheep won the 2015 Miles Franklin Award. It was also long-listed for the IMPAC Dublin International Book Award and shortlisted for the Stella Prize.
Sofie’s first novel for adults, One Foot Wrong was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award.
Sofie’s third adult novel, The Choke, won the 2018 Indie Award in the Best Novel category, and was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier Literary Awards, the Australian Book Industry Awards, the Voss Award, the Australian Literary Society Gold Medal, and longlisted for the Stella Award, the Kibble Award, the Colin Roderick Literary Award and the IMPAC Dublin International Book Award.
Sofie’s most recent novel for adults, Infinite Splendours, won the 2021 Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award and the HT Priestley Medal, and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, the Indie Award and the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Sofie’s many books for young people have been published the world over. She has been short-listed for the Queensland Premier’s Award, and her books have been named Honour Books and Notable Books by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Titles include ‘Too Loud Lily’, ‘Our Australian Girl: Meet Grace’ and ‘Bird and Sugar Boy.’
Sofie has recently released a number of books for children, including the novels, The Song of Lewis Carmichael, and The Glow, both illustrated by her husband, Marc McBride.
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