Pamela Allen brings us Mr McGee and his Hat, another simple, yet engaging story with imagination and humour at its core. Her rhythmic and rhyming text, helps Mr McGee adventure across the page, for example, Up in the air, Mr McGee flew, his hat and his cat and his bed went too.
Mr McGee is portrayed in clear, simple shapes and bold colours. Allen’s distinctive use of white space offsets her detailed pen and watercolour art. She expertly depicts Mr McGee’s expressions and body language, highlighting the funny situations he finds himself in. All these characteristics assist young ones to comprehend the story.
With an amazing 50+ published works, Allen has dedicated this book to her late husband, artist Jim Allen. Her first book was Mr Archimedes’ Bath, published in 1980. Some of her other works include, Who sank the Boat, The Little Old Man who looked up at the Moon, Bertie and Mr McGee and the Biting Flea. Allen is in her 90th year and is the recent recipient of an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia). What an inspiring creator!
Mr McGee books are a favourite in my home and classroom. When my eldest son was in Year 1, he was inspired to make eight different book covers for new Mr McGee stories that he had imagined. He is now ten and is excited a new story is here. Personally, I love Mr McGee stories because they take my voice on a playful, rhythmic journey of ups and downs and I know that when I read the stories to my little ones, they feel the lulling pull of the words as well. I’m so glad a new Mr McGee story is here.
Title: Mr McGee And His Hat
Author/Illustrator: Pamela Allen
Publisher: Penguin Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 2 July 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761345050
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book