In this fabulously fun count down book (from 10 to 1), you’ll meet a cast of colourful creatures who visit Mrs Koala for a little bit of pampering.
Ten fancy frogs get facials, seven millionaire minks get manicures and (my favourite) five pot-bellied pigs get pierced.
Author Catherine Jinks has created the coolest customers to visit Mrs Koala’s beauty parlour. From the boisterous baboons to miniature mice, the book is filled with an alliterated entourage of animals, from all walks of life.
But what would a counting picture book be without illustrations to explore? Award winning illustrator Tania McCartney brings delicious details and loads of pizzazz to every page with her stunning illustrations. She creates miniature worlds on paper, calling you to linger and explore each of the animal characters, all who have individual personalities which emerge through the care and passion McCartney injects into her work.
Mrs Koala, too, is revealed as you turn each page, not from the text, but from the quiet details of her parlour in the background. Mrs Koala is a fan of eucalyptus tea, and she generously offers this tea to her customers as part of her service. She is a lover of books, she's a fan of pink and she’s extremely hip. I adored spending a day in her beauty parlour and meeting her customers. And at the end of the day, when one kaput koala kicks back, I felt her exhaustion.
The details in this picture book truly are exquisite, and they create an immersive experience to be explored slowly and deliberately with children. The text and illustrations combine to create a magical world which is so much more than a simple counting experience. Identify the numbers, count the animals, examine the alliteration, and let your eyes feast on the stories presented through the pictures. There’s even a golden koala key to be found on every page.
Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour is something special. It ticks so many boxes and provides fun and funnies as it pulls readers in for an engaging story time. Teachers will adore this book for the variety it delivers. And parents, if you’re looking for a book to create magical reading experiences with your kids, to go slow and explore pages together, this is a great one to choose.
But what would a counting picture book be without illustrations to explore? Award winning illustrator Tania McCartney brings delicious details and loads of pizzazz to every page with her stunning illustrations. She creates miniature worlds on paper, calling you to linger and explore each of the animal characters, all who have individual personalities which emerge through the care and passion McCartney injects into her work.
Mrs Koala, too, is revealed as you turn each page, not from the text, but from the quiet details of her parlour in the background. Mrs Koala is a fan of eucalyptus tea, and she generously offers this tea to her customers as part of her service. She is a lover of books, she's a fan of pink and she’s extremely hip. I adored spending a day in her beauty parlour and meeting her customers. And at the end of the day, when one kaput koala kicks back, I felt her exhaustion.
The details in this picture book truly are exquisite, and they create an immersive experience to be explored slowly and deliberately with children. The text and illustrations combine to create a magical world which is so much more than a simple counting experience. Identify the numbers, count the animals, examine the alliteration, and let your eyes feast on the stories presented through the pictures. There’s even a golden koala key to be found on every page.
Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour is something special. It ticks so many boxes and provides fun and funnies as it pulls readers in for an engaging story time. Teachers will adore this book for the variety it delivers. And parents, if you’re looking for a book to create magical reading experiences with your kids, to go slow and explore pages together, this is a great one to choose.
For more great picture books by Catherine Jinks, check out Barney. and for stunning illustrations (and words) from Tania McCartney, check out Plume: World Explorer, Wonderful Shoes and Alphakid: An A - Z of Antics.
Title: Mrs Koala's Beauty Parlour
Author: Catherine Jinks
Illustrator: Tania McCartney
Publisher: HarperCollins, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 February 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781921504648
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book
