BOOK REVIEW: Somewhere Else by Gus Gordon

BOOK REVIEW: Somewhere Else by Gus Gordon

Penguin Viking
October 2016
Hardback, $24.99
Reviewed by Steph O’Connell

Picture Book

9/10

 

The illustrations within this book are a gorgeous combination of drawing, photographs, and old-timey advertisements. As such, it’s not possible to realise the beauty of this book on the first read through, but there is something immediately appealing about it, and the unique illustration style alone makes it worth purchasing.

But beyond that, this is the story of a duck who refuses his friends’ invitations to travel, always using the excuse that he has to cook, or iron, or go to a yoga class. Then, once again, he finds himself alone when all his friends fly north or south for the winter.

It is only when his friend Pascal (who is a bear and hence couldn’t fly away) starts asking deeper questions, and seeing through George’s feeble excuses that we find out what’s really going on; George never learnt how to fly.

This is a story about the possibility of adventure and taking risks to realise what you value most, but it’s also about friendship; about being honest with your friends, and about helping them when they’re struggling with something.

This is not your run-of-the-mill generic picture book. It has a wonderful story, but it also has its own identifiable character and would make a great addition to your picture book collection.

 

Category: Book Reviews, Other Reviews