Arnold the Prickly Teddy by Kym Lardner

Prickly fur is definitely not a teddy bear's best asset, it endears you to no-one, so it seems. Arnold sits day after day gathering dust  in a toy shop in the midst of the fast-selling pink and softer variety of ted. Despite a price reduction, he still doesn't sell and finds himself unceremoniously tossed into a rubbish skip. Luckily, after almost two days of lying among broken toys and wrapping paper, a small had reaches up and liberates Arnold, and his life suddenly takes a turn for the better. This is a heart-warming story that really illustrates the power of love. Kim Lardner has a straight-forward engaging writing style and his huge, detailed and very colourful drawings bring the text to life. 

Kym spends a lot of time touring around and entertaining children with his story-telling, illustrations and songs. He came to Illawarra Primary School a few years back when I was teaching there, and I think I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed another performance as much as his.

If you would like to hear Kim Lardner and appreciate his sense of humour, click on the following link:

http://www.summerreadingclub.slq.qld.gov.au/archive/src08_09/listen_to_kym_lardner

Borka: The Adventures of a Goose with no Feathers by John Birningham

Borka the Adventures of a Gooes with no Feathers, John Burningham's first picture book, is a stunning picture book which is somewhat reminiscent of The Ugly Duckling. Only this time, Borka, the goose born without feathers is the bird of central interest. Her mother, Mrs Plumster,  even knits her a grey woollen jersey that looks like feathers to keep her warm, but this just makes her a further object of derision amongst her five siblings. This timeless book deals with difference and exclusion. The big bold illustrations and intricate end papers ensure its appeal. Author/illustrator, John Burningham, is among the most prestitigous illustrators working the children's book arena whose career spans over 60 years. This year he was nominated for The Hans Christian Andersen Award. This particular book won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1964. 

An end paper from Borka

Below is one of my favourite illustrations in the book:

Captain McAllister, Fowler, Borka and Fred