Coral Vass (text) and Heidi Cooper Smith (illustrator), The Blues-day Tuesday (Amanda Commander #4), Wombat Books, March 2024, 80 pp., RRP $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761111266
Amanda, with her friends Mai and Lu, are known as the Dolphin Squad. This group of three focus on solving problems and caring for others. In The Blues-day Tuesday, the squad decides to launch ‘Operation Welcome Back’—a clever initiative arising from their observations of classmates returning to school after an absence. It was apparent that on return to school, they seemed isolated and left out, even after being away for only for a few days. Amanda, Mai and Lu have also experienced this feeling of not fitting-in on their return to school. In their absence, projects had started, group activities organised, and playground situations experienced. There was no way to catch up and it was not a good feeling. So, The Blues-day Tuesday project is launched; a project that will ensure everyone will always feel included.
Amanda Commander – the Blues-day Tuesday is the newest in the popular, Amanda Commander series. In these books, author Vass presents characters that are loyal, kind and caring and who work collaboratively to untangle difficult situations through thoughtful consideration of the situations and seeking trustworthy advice. In this way, Vass provides a subtle blueprint of guidance for primary school aged children to navigate through the ups-and-downs of everyday life.
The text is well-spaced and easy to read and the beautifully rendered black and white illustrations by Heidi Cooper are a lovely accompaniment. This book is yet another timely narrative written by Vass to assist young people obtain the tools for life, a very accessible book in all ways. Amanda Commander – the Blues-day Tuesday is a book to be enjoyed numerous times over across a range of ages. The comradery of The Dolphin Squad – Amanda, Mai and Lu – provides a great role model of those motivated by good intention and care of others. This is a very satisfying read.
Reviewed by Jennifer Mors
