Cedric Ramadier (text), Vincent Bourgeau (illus.) Help! The Wolf is Coming! Gecko Press, 1 June 2015, $AU16.99/$NZ 19.99, unpaged – board book, ISBN 978-1-927271-84-1
It seems obvious to say that the book as an object is a central part of textual communication but this picture book takes this idea a step further. You open the page and the text states (as we see a distant image of an angry wolf) “Quick! Turn the page.” Naturally you do and we see a closer image of the wolf, teeth bared and another instruction. “Quick! Tilt the book to the right and turn the page!” You naturally do tilt the book and turn the page and suddenly your action seemingly influences the nature of the story: wolf is tumbling off the page! Indeed, the reader is invited to shake the book and even turn it upside down in order to defeat the wolf. Is he defeated? He is a determined carnivore! “He’s coming! Quick! Shut the book!” The back cover however may not be entirely re-assuring. What do you think? This is a clever use of the board book as a text type in that young toddlers, the implied audience here, are renowned for using the book not just as a source of story but also for consumption. A nice irony!
reviewed by John McKenzie
