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...
No comments:
Post a Comment