Friday 22 July 2016

Summer Holidays on a Swedish Island


Swedish Writer and Illustrator
Rose Lagercrantz  illustrated by Eva Eriksson
Life According to Dani
Gecko Press 2016  $19.99pb 104pp
ISBN 978 1 7765 7071 3
Themes: Best Friends/ Islands/ Pursuit of Happiness/ Sequels/ Solo Dads/ Summer Holidays
Dani, who we have met before in earlier chapter books, has gone to an island to stay with her best friend while her dad is recovering from a car accident. With so much to do – Skinny-dipping/ learning to play the violin/ cooking/ exploring the seashore - there is not much time to worry about her dad – until he stops calling her every night. Then, very tactlessly, he suddenly appears in a water taxi with his nurse in tow – but to Dani’s horror, she turns out to also be his new girlfriend. Real and sometimes painful emotion is described here as well a genuine sense of humour that is always bubbling away under the surface.  Eva Erikson’s black and white illustrations are really brilliant! In a few simple lines her characters can express grief/ curiosity/ puzzlement/irritation/ satisfaction/ happiness… This is a series of chapter books unlike any others – perfect to read to yourself if you are newly emerging as a reader or to listen to as part of a group – boys will relate to Dani too.  
Recommended.
Year 2 up/ Age 6 up 
 
Google for details of other books about Dani and her best friend, Ella. All published by Gecko Press...



       

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