'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Review: The New Jumper

'I [heart] The Hueys. My love is such that if I could be wearing a t-shirt right now that said 'I [heart] The Hueys' to proclaim my love, I would.
 
Meet the Hueys. A wonderfully offbeat bunch of characters from the wonderfully offbeat mind of Oliver Jeffers. I think Oliver Jeffers could take the crown of the modern picture book King. His original, minimal artwork is beautiful. Using colours in such a way as to highlight and compliment the story of these fabulous little creatures. The Huey's are adorable. I have absolutely no idea what they are, but I love them.

Then there is the story. Jeffers manages to say so much with few words. It is a book where I can hear the characters voices as I am reading. I would like to take a moment to apologise to my future children for what they will have to endure with in the way of impersonations when I read this book to them. I keep flicking through and giggling to myself. It is a pure delight.

Then there is the meaning behind those words. Be yourself. Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd. Written in such a funny and accessible way, you feel like Jeffers is nudge, nudging you as you read it. 

'The thing about the Hueys was that they were all the same. Until they day one of them knitted a nice new jumper ...'

I don't want to say any more. I want you to go to your local bookstore and get your hands on this and see for yourself. Picture book perfection. I have never wanted to high five an author more than I do right now.

Want to make your own Huey? You can! Click here. You can even win an ipad loaded with all of Oliver Jeffers books. Go to his Facebook page to find out more.

Watch the fabulously gorgeous trailer (Read by Jarvis Cocker):



Title: The New Jumper
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: May 2012
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780007420650
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book