Tim Harris (text) and Heidi McKinnon (illustrator), This is My Book, Puffin Books, May 2024, RRP $19.99 (hbk), IBSN 9780143777489
A battle of wills, albeit with humour, appears to be the focus of this picture book by Tim Harris and Heidi McKinnon; a contest not between author and illustrator, although they do briefly become characters in this tug-of-war, but between the left and right pages of the book itself.
McKinnon’s bold yet minimal illustration style builds on the humorous element of the written narrative using a range of facial expressions: the eyes and a mouth denoting the personas of each page, keep pace with the written word in this play of one up-man ship.
Through the use of prepositions such as left /right, top/bottom, first/last, alliteration, changes in font and other word play Harris introduces the young reader to the joys of language; language that also requires active participation through re-orientating the pages to continue the story or simply turning the book upside down.
So, in the end who has the last say? The page colours may tell the story.
A fun take on the picture book. Suitable for ages 3+
Reviewed by Mem Capp
