Let’s make an adventure by Carrie Gallasch. Illus. by Kïa Hing Fay

This new release picture book provides a wonderful glimpse into the lives of two young children who are showing signs of boredom. Rather than turning to technology or adults to provide them with something to do, they use their imagination to create exciting adventures using everyday items found at home. For example, a colander becomes a hat, a dog bed becomes a safe place under a table with a tablecloth door, a suitcase becomes a horse, a washing basket becomes a boat, cushions become a train. Each of the new methods of transport take the children to different places where they can see familiar creatures, clearly labelled to encourage word recognition. The illustrations by Kia Hing Fay, known for her playful cut-paper style, use simple shapes and bold colour to share the joy of play and movement across the pages.

Throughout the narrative, the children converse and chatter about where they are going, what they are doing, and what they are seeing. The use of repetitive rhyme enables young readers to join in and imagine what they might see. For example,

To the jungle, to the jungle,
just you and me.
To the jungle, to the jungle,
and what will we see?

For Early Years teachers and parents, Let’s Make an Adventure is a perfect book to read aloud. It may spark imagination, inspire children to invent their own adventures, and change those ‘I’m bored’ moments into bursts of playful fun.

Themes: Adventures, Creativity, Imagination, Children, Play.

Kathryn Beilby