This is a story constructed from a series of quirky questions brought together by their consistent theme of a bear with nothing to wear and other animals being outrageously funny.
Written in rhyming prose, the questions on each page inspire conversation, laughing and further analysis. For example ‘What would you say if, just for the day, your mother turned into a crow?’
I adore the gorgeous, colourful illustrations. They are filled with movement and personality and work in unity with the flowing words and typography.
There are instructions at the start which show how to find anagrams on each page and offer the alternative of enjoying the book without finding them. I love how this feature gives more value, encouraging multiple reads and revisiting with a different focus for different age groups.
What a Lot of Nonsense is unique, quirky and educational. It would be a great classroom addition, especially if combined with the free teacher notes offered by HarperCollins on their website.
Sheena Knowles is the Australian award-winning author of Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu. Jonathan Bentley is an Australian based illustrator and author with many other books including Where is Bear, Little Big and A Hare, A Hound and Shy Mousey Brown.
Title: What a Lot of Nonsense
Author: Sheena Knowles
Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, $24.99
Publication Date: 24 February 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781460756140
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
