I mean, who wouldn’t? They’re cute and furry and teeny and blue.
Stella is so, so happy when she finally gets one. But when her swaddledok grows bigger than she expected (and starts throwing loud and stinky tantrums), Stella begins to wonder if she’s made the biggest mistake of her life. She’s not so sure she wants a swaddledok anymore.
The Swaddledok is a clever look at yearning, regret, and the spectrum between one and the other. It’s an exploration of seeing the good in something bad or challenging, and sticking with it when things don’t turn out exactly as you expect them to.
Josh Szeps writes with humour as well as heart in this fun and humorous picture book. It’s got all the funnies with a fair bit of wee, poo and farts. But there’s also heaps of love in this story, and I would definitely call it a heart-warmer.
Heidi McKinnon brings both Stella and swaddledok to life with her gorgeous, funky style. There’s fun on every page, and heaps of bold onomatopoeia to shout out loud as you read.
For a bit of silliness and a great read, check out The Swaddledok.
Title: The Swaddledok
Author: Josh Szeps
Illustrator: Heidi McKinnon
Publisher: Scholastic, $19.99
Publication Date: May 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761127823
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book