Exquisite illustrations by Freya Blackwood bring Cleo’s creative imagination to life.
Cleo and the Necklace: Cleo is engrossed in making a birthday card for her friend Nick. She carefully chooses the colours and decorations.At the party, the other girls show off the necklaces they are wearing. Cleo doesn’t have one.
Later, she asks mum if she can have one too, but when she doesn’t get the answer she wants, she uses her incredible imagination to get one regardless. But it isn’t in the usual way.
Cleo and the Present: Mum’s birthday is drawing closer. Cleo wants to give her a present but doesn’t know what. It must be something she can wrap up and tie with a ribbon.
Her piggy box hasn’t enough savings. She thinks hard and long and concludes that she will give mum what she wants the most. And it won’t cost her a cent.
In Cleo Makes a Friend, all Cleo’s friends are away. She is bored with no one around to play. Her room is a mess, but she can’t be bothered tidying up. Her uncle reminds her that she has a fine imagination, and she should use it to entertain herself. She does and discovers a new friend.
For the last story, Cleo Wants a Pet, Nick has been given a dog. Of course, Cleo wants a pet as well. She goes through a list of animals that would suit their yard as dad has a large veggie patch.
Cleo thinks and thinks. Her creative thoughts give birth to a great idea. One that her parents can’t refuse.
Cleo is a lively, resourceful, surprising girl that makes things happen in innovative ways, and never gives up. She resorts to thought and imagination to entertain herself and is a wonderful role model for younger children
Title: The Complete Cleo Stories
Author: Libby Gleeson
Illustrator: Freya Blackwood
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 21 October 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760294304
For ages: 6 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction
