Snugglepot and Cuddlepie's Underwater Adventure by May Gibbs
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN: 9781742839288.
One hot day, when the Gumnut Babies are bored and looking for
adventure, they follow Mrs Kookaburra's advice and head to 'where
the land meets the sea.' There, whilst sheltering in an empty shell,
they meet Mr Hermit who offers to take them into the deep, blue
water. On their adventures, they become acquainted with a clownfish,
coral, and an octopus and are introduced to Little Obelia, Princess
of the Fish Folk. After being carried home on the backs of several
sea dragons, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are left, dreaming about their
wonderful adventures.
The lovely large square format of this picture book, the watery
endpapers and the pastel toned illustrations make this book a trip
down memory lane for lovers of Gibbs' work who will be keen to share
the story with their children and grandchildren. With its simple
storyline and familiar characters, this is a charming book with a
true Australian flavour, just right for a new generation of readers.
Jo Schenkel