Review: Clarrie's Pig Day Out

Jen Storer’s first picture book is a cracker. It is clever and funny. Her use of spoonerisms and word play, together with the most lovable but mixed up main character, prove that she has mastered another area of children’s books.

Sue de Gennaro has done a fantastic job translating the text. From the extraordinary images of the cast of characters to the smallest background detail, everything seems perfectly aligned. Acrylic paint, ink watercolour, ballpoint pen, grey lead and collage have united to make the book a sheer delight.

Clarrie the farmer plans a day out. He tries to coax his dog Bert into coming with him. The day doesn’t go the way he plans. There are adventures and mishaps; chickens and a fox, but no Bert to come to the rescue. This mayhem is nothing in comparison to the lack of unity between Carrie’s mind and his mouth. Will things work out for everyone?

The book is full of light and laughter. If there’s one picture book you pick up to read this year, this must be considered. So many word challenges will take place using this book as the pivotal point. I can see it going much further than a book with mixed-up words and an equally mixed-up farmer in it.

Title: Clarrie’s Pig Day Out
Author: Jen Storer
Illustrator: Sue de Gennaro
Publisher: ABC Books, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: February 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733334443
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book