The anthropomorphic award-winning Heeler family is the
feature in these three marvellous Bluey books released simultaneously. The
television show, Bluey, won the 2019
Silver Logie Award for the Most Outstanding Children’s Program.
Full of
Australian culture and themes, the Australian Blue and Red Heeler, makes up the
family unit. There is six year old Bluey, dad Bandit an archaeologist (these
two are Blue), mum Chilli that works in airport security, and four year old
Bingo are Red. These are the main characters.
These Bluey books
are a warm, delightful depiction of family life, shared experiences, life
lessons and differences. They open windows for children to look into and share
Australian lifestyles, growing up and family relationships, in a fun and inspiring
way.
In Bluey: The
Beach, a lift-the-flap book, the
family sets out for a day at the sea. Tent, towels, shovels, hats, and they are
set for an exciting adventure. Mum sets off for a walk by herself. Bluey
doesn’t understand why. She finds a special shell and wants to share it with
her, but all that is visible are footsteps in the sand. Imaginative play sees
Bingo give Bluey mermaid legs.
Dad allows Bluey to follow mum’s footsteps in the
sand. Walking alone, Bluey encounters sea creatures, sand castles and pelicans
which she incorporates into her play. She also comes to understand the
significance of solitude.
Bluey:
Fruit Bat, a glow-in-the-dark board book, is a beautifully
themed story on how parents have dreams of becoming something or someone, just
as children do.
A delay to bedtime takes the form of saying
goodnight to a long list of Australian Outback animals. But not to the Fruit
Bats, as they are nocturnal, dad says. Bluey wants to be a fruit Bat so she
doesn’t have to go to bed when she’s told to do so. Or shower. Dad reminds
Bluey of the things they do together that Fruit Bats can’t do.
Bluey sneaks downstairs to further delay bedtime. Dad
asleep on the floor, dreaming of playing footy. Mum confides it was what dad
had wanted to do. Perhaps Bluey can dream of being a Fruit Bat.
Bluey’s dreams make her realize that dad has set
his dreams aside to fulfil his role of parent. This proves to be an important
revelation for the clever and insightful Bluey!
Bluey:
Time to Play is a sticker activity book. We are introduced to
all the Heeler family with a short bio about each member. There is a maze, a
game with Magic Claw, a double spread of colour-in which allows us to meet the
extended family and friends, and an excursion in the car. Missing objects in
the Takeaway shop need replacing, other drawing opportunities, and more full
page colour-in images.
Two pages of stickers allow interaction and add atmosphere
to every page. The stickers have the page numbers allocated to them for
accurate positioning, which gives the very young an ideal learning tool while
expanding their imagination and their motor skills.
Title:
Bluey: The Beach, Fruit Bat & Time to Play!
Author:
Based on ABC Kids TV Show
Publisher:
Penguin Random House, $14.99,
$14.99, $5.99
Publication
Date: November 5 2019
Format:
Board Books and Paperback
ISBN:
9781760894054, 9781760894047, 9781760894030
For
ages: 3+
Type:
Activity
Books
