Briony Stewart, Gymnastica Fantastica!, Lothian Children’s Books, November 2023, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780734421852
A perfect picture book for pre-schoolers, this book has just been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s 2024 Early Childhood Book of the Year award. Joyful illustrations and sublime wordplay, captures that ‘look-at-me’ time in a child’s life where every moment offers an impromptu opportunity to perform.
The child in this book performs for their nonplussed shaggy dog. And while we see the child in fluid movement, with several different moves to a page, they remain delightfully unconcerned about whether they’re performing the perfect flip. The subtle message for kids about the joy of movement trumping perfection is an important one for modern children.
With its bright primary colours, exuberant character and wonderful words – razzley-dazzley, ribbony twirls, wriggly rainbows in circles and swirls – this book is a strong contender for the top gong.
Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
