Review: Steve Parish Pop-up Books

All the animals are working together to prepare for the barbecue - the Tassie Devils, parrots, dingoes, hopping mice and, of course the kangaroo. Where else would you find such a lively bunch of critters working together? Such is the unique appeal of a Steve Parish Publishing children's book.

Each page has a gorgeous Parish photo that pops up, surrounded by an illustrated double-page spread.

Title: There's a Kangaroo Cooking a Barbecue
Author: Thomas and Jodi Hamlyn-Harris
Photographer: Steve Parish
Publisher: Steve Parish Publishing, $12.95 RRP
Publication Date: November 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781741936568
For ages: 18 months+
Type: Picture book

This book is available online

This lift-the-flap book has some surprises in store.

Behind each flap lies a number of animals - another gorgeous array, this time emus, tree frogs, gliders, geckoes and wombats - to be counted. And at the end we discover another secret, with wombat footprints hidden across each page, waiting to be found. Kids love this type of mystery!

My only criticism here is that the number of animals on each page is not in any order - two on the first page, five on the next, then three, and so on. But kids will enjoy the lack of prediction in this one.

Title: How Many Wombats in my House?
Author: Thomas and Jodi Hamlyn-Harris
Photographer: Steve Parish
Publisher: Steve Parish Publishing, $12.95 RRP
Publication Date: November 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781741936551
For ages: 18 months+
Type: Picture book

This book is available online

The animals literally pop right into the home in this story. They can be found in the kitchen, on the stairs, in the pantry and the toy room. And, of course, that huge crocodile making himself comfortable in the washing pile.

The rhyming text is fun, lively and creates a giggly read for little ones.

Title: There's a Crocodile in the Washing Pile
Author: Thomas and Jodi Hamlyn-Harris
Photographer: Steve Parish
Publisher: Steve Parish Publishing, $12.95 RRP
Publication Date: November 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781741936575
For ages: 18 months+
Type: Picture book

This book is available online