Tag Philip Waechter

Around the World with Friends

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Around the World with Friends
Philip Waechter
Gecko Press

When Racoon decides he’s ready for adventure he anticipates his round the world trip will be a solo one. However, having visited Badger to borrow his boat and paddle, he’s persuaded that his friend should accompany him. Before long Racoon has also collected Fox with a supply of eggs, Bear to keep jellyfish and marine monsters at bay and Crow to act as lookout. Off go the friends in upbeat mood down the river. It’s not long before they encounter what Fox decides is a poisonous water snake but is quickly put right by Racoon’s reassurance that it’s a grass snake. On they go,

only to be caught in rapids which fortunately don’t capsize the boat, eventually reaching a sandy bank where they decide to make a camp and eat. Wasps make a nuisance of themselves but Bear gets rid of them while Fox cooks a delicious meal. After this they play football and take a cooling swim.

Then down comes the rain and with night descending they realise that it’s time to head home.

Agreeing that it’s been ‘a proper adventure’ they gather up everything and agree to have another expedition in a few days time.

A perfect day, thinks Raccoon as he lies abed reading the same book that prompted him to undertake the trip in the first place.

Waechter’s illustrations created mainly with pen and crayon, be they of the animals’ homes, the locality or the areas the friends pass through on their adventure, are full of details that will cause readers to pause and spend time looking closely at each one. With its gentle humour, this is just the story to share with children on a warm, lazy summer’s day.

A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends / Wooolf!

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A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends
Philip Waechter
Gecko Press

Alone in his house, Racoon decides that baking an apple cake will alleviate his boredom, but then he discovers he has no eggs. Oh bother! Maybe his chicken-owning friend Fox can help out, so off he pops to see her, only to find her precariously balanced and attempting unsucessfully to mend a leaky roof as the hole’s out of reach. The two set out to Badger’s in the hope he might have a ladder. Badger too needs help with a crossword and Fox suggests asking Bear to solve the clue. On route to Bear’s home the friends pause for a blackberry picnic but on arrival they discover Bear is not at home. Happily Crow can assist and leads them down to the river bank where eventually they find Bear fishing.
Unfortunately though the fish aren’t biting… not even a nibble.

Not wanting to waste a moment the five pals decide to dive into the river and have fun together. It feels great to cool off on such a hot day and equally pleasurable to dry off in the warm sun. They also solve the crossword clues, then as evening approaches they head off home

pausing whenever appropriate to complete each of the other tasks in turn, finally reaching Racoon’s residence. Once indoors, Raccoon bakes not one but TWO CAKES: one to be shared by Fox, Badger, Crow. and himself. Fortunate Bear however has a cake all for himself. I wonder why that could be …

Willingness to embrace new and unexpected situations, and whole-hearted participation therein, is key to a happy life, as are friends and teamwork. Philip Waechter’s intricately detailed illustrations of bucolic contentment brought about by these elements work harmoniously with his heartwarming story; it’s one children will definitely warm to as they share in the day’s events of the five friends.

Wooolf!
Stephanie Blake
Gecko Press

Stephanie Blake’s little rabbit, Simon, certainly gets his come uppance in this fun take on the cry wolf classic as he plays the wolf card at home and school in order to get his own way. Eventually though he tries it one time too many, the occasion being the use – or not – of his potty.

Has he learned his lesson once and for all though? What do you think? …
With its funny final twist and illustrations that leap off the page little rabbit style, this will certainly amuse little humans and might just deter them from emulating a certain little leporine creature.

Thanks to Gecko Press for sending copies of these books for review.