The Dream Bird, a book review

Title: The Dream Bird
by: Aleesah Darlison
illustrated by: Emma Middleton
Publisher: Wombat Books

Once upon a time in a faraway land there lived the rarest of rare birds. The Dream Bird. George is a day child. He rollicks and romps in the light. But at night, George just can’t seem to get to sleep. That is, until Gran tells him a bedtime story about a magical bird who sings children to sleep. Will the Dream Bird’s magic work on George?

A stunning bedtime book that will enchant readers young and old.

Some children have a difficult time trying to go to sleep. I think I have found the sleep potion. It’s a book called The Dream Bird, written by multi-published author, Aleesah Darlison.

In the story we meet a young boy, George—a day child who can’t sleep at night, not even after counting one hundred sheep walking backwards, and drinking warm milk to lull him to sleep.

His wonderful Gran comes to the rescue with a beautiful story about the most beautiful bird in the world—The Dream Bird.

Artist (and author), Emma Middleton,  has created exceptional dreamlike illustrations with colours that flow with a divine harmony, expressing calmness, contentment, peacefulness, relaxation, and tranquility, that are sure to sprinkle the magic of sleep dust.

The Dream Bird could be a life-saver for parents with kids who have a troublesome time trying to sleep. Aleesah’s use of descriptive words will paint a calming vision in a child’s imagination, helping them to change from their unsettled mind to one where they are encouraged to concentrate on their own favourite things, lulling them to sleep.

Purchase a copy: The Dream Bird

Title: The Dream Bird
by: Aleesah Darlison
illustrated by: Emma Middleton
Publisher: Wombat Books
ISBN: 9781925563337
Category: children
Pages: 32

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
https://www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:

Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine, book review

Title: Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine
by: Aleesah Darlison
illustrated by: Shane McGrath
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

I am the last of my kind. This I know. Once, we roamed the land. We owned the land. We called it Home. But strange creatures came to take it from us…
My story matters. I am the last living female Tasmanian Tiger.

 

 

Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine, written by Aleesah Darlison is a powerful story, one that will stir deep emotions in the reader.

There are many features I love about this story:

One. It is about Australia’s Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, or the Tasmanian Wolf, which was Australia’s largest known carnivorous marsupial. It looked much like a yellowish-brown dog with stripes across its back, and it had a pouch for its young. Imagine that – a dog with a pouch!

Two. The story is written in first person, emotionally drawing the reader into the story. You feel what the Tasmanian Tiger feels – every fear, every happiness, every sadness.

Three. Aleesah has used a clever mix of short and long sentences in the story. The shorter sentences creating critical impact, while the longer sentences keep the plot flowing.

Four. The illustrations by Shane McGrath, recreate the Australian Tasmanian landscape with colours complementing the mood of the text. He has injected action into his illustrations, filling you with a sense of urgency as the Tasmanian Tigers run from death and try to cling on to their last chance at life.

Five. There is a text-less double-page-spread with one powerful illustration. The double-page-spread is voice silent, but mind loud, tearing at your heartstrings. You almost don’t want to turn the page to have your suspicions confirmed.

Six. Aleesah has included a fascinating Thylacine Fact page at the end of the book with eleven interesting points of information.

Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine, is a book of love and a book of sadness. It is a book of love as you learn about the Tasmanian Tiger, part of Australia’s animal history, and part of the world’s Kingdom Animalia. It is a book of sadness, as we come to the understanding that the Thylacine is most possibly be extinct.

But Aleesah’s final words of her story – I am the last of my kind. Or am I? – help to keep alive that little bit of hope that the Tasmanian Tiger is still living. Imagine if the Tasmanian Tiger was not extinct, but hiding, stripes in the forest. Stealth in the shadows…

Purchase a copy: Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine

teacher notes: Stripes in the Forest Teacher Notes

Title: Stripes in the Forest – The Story of the Last Wild Thylacine
by: Aleesah Darlison
illustrated by: Shane McGrath
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing
ISBN: 9781925275704
Category: children’s
Pages: 32

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:
Queensland Writers Centre
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Share Your Story Australia