There's No Such Thing
Heidi McKinnon
| Publisher: | Allen & Unwin |
| ISBN: | 9781760877279 |
| Awards Year: | 2021 |
| Category: | Book of the Year: Early Childhood |
The publisher says...
A funny, warm and reassuring story from the internationally acclaimed creator of I Just Ate My Friend and Baz & Benz.
Bear can't sleep. Did you hear that? Did you feel that? What was it? It wasn't a hungry giant or a blood-sucking spider or a fire-breathing dragon because there is NO SUCH THING… Is there?
The author says...
Camping is lots of fun. It’s exciting to sleep outside under the stars in a tent. Until it begins to get dark and you hear strange noises. Even if you’re a big brave-looking bear, sometimes you get scared. Luckily your best friend Ted is there to reassure you that everything is OK. It’s not a HUNGRY GIANT, a BLOOD-SUCKING SPIDER or a FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON. It’s probably just the wind or a distant thunder storm and there’s absolutely nothing to worry about… Or is there?
‘There’s No Such Thing’ is a story about the importance of having a level-headed friend and why you should always remember to pack marshmallows. It was inspired by my own tendency to imagine things that are lurking in the dark and usually, it’s not at all what I’m thinking. Most of the time it’s just the neighbourhood cats jumping around outside.
I’m absolutely thrilled ‘There’s No Such Thing’ is part of the 2021 CBCA Shortlist for Early Childhood Book of the Year. Creating this book was lot's of fun and I hope readers enjoy this book - especially because you get to say words like ‘Screeeeep! Screeeeepy! Screep! Screep!’ and ‘Boom! Boomba! Boom!’. Funny voices optional.
The CBCA judges say...
This book is a delight from beginning to end. The illustrations are bold and fun. Night-time eyes dot the black backgrounds, enhancing the mood of the story. The reversed text stands out, with feature words in capitals for emphasis. The expressions and physical nuance of the characters reveal their feelings, while the dialogue between the two characters moves the story forward. Themes of imagination, monsters and friendship are woven into the story, along with a surprise ending that will delight young readers. This is a well-designed and high-quality production.
The Reading Time reviewers say...
Click here to read the Reading Time review.
Teaching Notes for this book...
The publisher has generously made teaching notes available for this book. Click on the icon below to view these resources.
