(The oddly applied noses may distract some, though.) The kids are nicely individuated: The oldest boy has his ever-present yo-yo, the youngest one is always losing or dropping something. She captures the family’s every thought and feeling, from the teenage girl’s defiance over exchanging her pink flats for hiking boots to the mother’s horror at her youngest son’s hands at lunchtime. While the rhymes don’t always work (“cards” with “far”), Wicks’ illustrations are standouts. As in reality, not everything goes perfectly what matters are the interactions, and there are plenty as the family members enjoy swimming, playing games, building boats and dams, exploring, having lunch and pursuing their own interests. Early one morning, four children tiptoe in to wake their parents (and dog) for a day of hiking through the woods to the river.

The language helps: Every sentence, save the final one, starts with 'Let's,' bringing readers into the adventure. Longstreth and Wicks have created an Everyfamily that most readers will be able to identify with, even if they have never been on a family hike. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Tag along on a family’s hiking trip as they enjoy (mostly) the great outdoors and (almost always) each other. Ages 7-10.Ĭopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Although the book opens with a brief glossary of Australian words, youngsters may still be puzzled by some of the terms used: the narrator refers to her 'big cousin-sister' and Grandad puts 'underarm smell' on a baby so that 'the spirits of the Old People will recognize you and keep you safe.' Yet Adams succeeds-through her childlike narrative and stylized, batik-like paintings-in portraying an intriguing culture that will be new to most readers. Playing in a dinghy, the children have a scare when they get too close to the legendary spot Grandad had cautioned them about. The tale's young narrator explains that 'Mum had already made tea and some johnnycakes, so we had a good feed.' After collecting oysters, which cling to the roots of mangroves, the family feasts once again.

Though he chooses to stay home, wise Grandad warns the tale's narrator to avoid 'the story place of Yaatamay, the Carpet Snake.' Traveling in two boats, the group lands on a beach, where they set up camp and cast nets to catch fish.

Adams, who lived and worked in an Australian Aboriginal community, here offers a slight tale about an extended Aboriginal family's weekend camping trip to Love River.

Going for Oysters by Jeanie Adams