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

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Review: Upside Down Friday

The unexpected that comes with change can be a good thing, even for children. It means surprises, and buddies that bring balloons and friendship, and new things to learn and share.

Is Hugo ready for all this?

Mum is calling Hugo to get dressed. It is Friday and Hugo doesn’t want to go to school. He is grumpy and hides beneath the covers. 

Friday makes things upside-down.

Hugo wants his days to be the same. He knows what follows what.

Why does Friday have to be different?

But there is a reason why teachers call it Upside-Down Friday!

Hugo drags his back-pack across the room as he thinks of what he does each day.

He is sad and sullen. His porridge gets cold waiting for the spoon.

His mum explains why Fridays are different. Her words echo in his mind as he heads off to school.

Do others feel the same as Hugo does? 

Can the day become as light as air again?

This delightful, emotive picture book is made more so by the alliteration and descriptive metaphors that make up the clever text by Lana Spasevski.

The stunning illustrations by the talented Nicki Johnston make the story float. Her perfect choice of delicate colours and the use of animals as characters, adorn the pages with expressive images, whether upside-down or right-side-up.

Each turn of the page brings new emotions into the story. Pictures and words are in perfect sync.

The brilliant cover picture shows the carefree Hugo swinging from a branch between two trees. This invites the reader inside. The end pages are covered in branches of colourful leaves.

Title: Upside Down Friday
Author: Lana Spasevski
Illustrator: Nicki Johnston
Publisher: Exisle, $ 24.95
Publication Date: 7 April 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 978192820850
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book