Penny Harris (text) and Winnie Zhou (illustrator), Pinney the Winner: Story about Selflessness, Big Sky Publishing, July 2020, 32pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922265784.
Penny Harris (text) and Winne Zhou (illustrator), 1, 2, 3 Here I Come: Story About Fairness, Big Sky Publishing, July 2020, 32 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922265739.
These two titles are part of a series designed to stimulate meaningful conversations with young readers about everyday issues. Their aim is to promote emotional intelligence, positive social behaviour and well-being. They have been based on learning outcomes from Australian Government Frameworks aligning with social and emotional themes, for early childhood readers.
Ginney, Pinney and their friends are introduced at the beginning of each book. In 3,2,1 Here I Come the group plays hide and seek. Each time Ginnie (a giraffe) is too big to hide so she’s not good at that game but eventually finds somewhere where the others can’t find her. When they’ve had enough and want to change games, Ginnie is upset. Is she being fair to her friends?
In Pinney the Winner it’s sports day. Pinney the hippopotamus is determined to win a chocolate medal to share, but he has problems. He squashes his watermelon in the watermelon and spoon race. He breaks the trampoline in the “jump over Ginnie” competition. In the pogo race, when Ginnie falls, Pinney makes the hard decision to stop to help his friend. No winner’s medal! But he is rewarded with the “most caring friend” award.
The series is supported with animated videos accessed with a QR code, and teacher resource book, available from Big Sky Publishing.
Reviewed by Maureen Mann
