Should the principal aim of books be to teach children about “proper” behaviour or should they just entertain them?  The didactic or the diverting?  Here are several picture books that avoid this long-time question by managing to do both very well, as well as throwing in a few subtle digs at adult expectations.

In Gordon's got a snookie!, Gordon is a gorilla, the eagerly awaited zoo newcomer who is to “take care of the girls”!  But when big, strong, hairy Gordon arrives, the girls’ dreams are shattered by his snookie. 

A snookie, or blankie, or comforter, is a common treasure that helps children cope with nervousness, but adults can so often make the problem worse by teasing or being embarrassed about the child's security blanket.  And so it happens with Gordon.  The more the animals laugh, the more he needs his snookie. (The hyena laughs so hard he has to be carted off to hospital!).

Lisa Shanahan’s very funny story has Gordon finally able to show everyone that snookies are important, even for big, tough gorillas, and if any young reader needed reassurance about their own snookie, it is there!  Wayne Harris’ illustrations are bright and as cheeky as the story’s sly digs at adult worries about image, in this thoroughly delightful book.

Daddy’s Lullaby is a bedtime story, with a much more peaceful theme of letting each member of the family unwind and go to sleep in their own way.  Daddy comes home late from work to find only Baby awake.  Together, they check out the rest of the family before settling down to a lullaby.

While this is probably more of an adult’s view of bedtime, the stunning artwork of Jason Cockcroft make this a beautiful description of family life.  Any parent who has nursed a wide-awake baby late at night will immediately see themselves in the pages.  And, while it would work very well as a bedtime read, it is more likely to be gazed at by dreamy eyed adults.

Sam Vole and his brothers immediately recalls Martin Waddell’s classic Little Bear series.  Sam, the little brother, wants to have a day without his interfering and more capable big brothers, just being himself.  He finally manages it and has a wonderful time … for a while.

Eventually, he gets a bit lonely on his own but, because he had achieved what he wanted, he is able to join up with the older ones on his own terms.

While English voles might not be familiar animals to most Australians, Sam can be any younger sibling, and his day and decisions are described warmly and sensitively.  However, the astute observations about a child's view of the world that are such a highlight of Can't you sleep, Little Bear? and its sequels seem to have been lost a bit in a general sentimentality.   Sam Vole is a pleasant, friendly book but not quite a classic.

Amy Hest’s Baby Duck has quite a series of books now as she learns her way through life. In other stories, Grandpa has helped her deal with rain (In the rain with Baby Duck), new glasses (Baby Duck and the new eyeglasses), baby siblings (You're the boss, Baby Duck) and going to school (Off to school, Baby Duck).  In Make the team, Baby Duck! the problem is with swimming lessons.

Baby Duck has lots of reasons not go in the water: her arms get tired, she will swallow water, she is a slowly swimmer.  So, she sits by herself watching the others.  In a lesson to so many sporting parents, Grandpa lets Baby Duck make her own choice about when she is ready to take the plunge.  To her surprise, she is!

Jill Barton’s wonderful facial expressions add so much to this delightful story about letting children make up their own minds.  Baby Duck and her fears are never patronised in this series of books.  She explains them, Grandpa listens, and together they find a solution that satisfies Baby Duck's perception.

The whole question of the teaching role of children's books can be answered by looking at the difference between Teaching and Learning.  Adults can teach as much as they like but, in the end, it is the children who choose to learn.  These four books all respect children's right to think and act in their own terms.

Review by David Beagley

© 2002 David Beagley