Brentos, Australia: From dawn to dusk, Affirm Press, August 2022, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922806321
Australia: From dawn to dusk is the debut picture book by illustrator, painter and designer Brentos. The reader is taken on a very simple journey from one iconic Australian location to the next through the course of a single day. Starting at 5am in Byron Bay the reader stops at Kakadu at 9am, Cradle Mountain at 11am and finishes at Rottnest Island at 8pm.
The special elements in this picture book are the Aboriginal names for each place, the description of the animals and landscape and the stunning illustrations. This reader could wax poetic about the illustrations which would not look out of place hanging on a gallery wall, as murals on the sides of large buildings or on a wide array of tea towels, t-shirts, and other souvenir paraphernalia.
The illustrations in this picture book are utterly joyous. They feature many well-known Australian animals and one cheeky surfing koala who finds his way into each double page spread. Brentos has chosen to use a pastel colour palette throughout the book, a bold and unusual choice that pays off because the reader is never overwhelmed by the visuals. The map of Australia on the final double-page spread is both fun and informative.
Hopefully Brentos has many more picture books planned, featuring their distinctive illustrations. This picture book certainly deserves its place on the CBCA Book of the Year shortlist for New Illustrator.
Reviewed by Anne Varnes
