Reviews: (by author)

Allen, Pamela. (Author and Illustrator) Mr McGee and the Perfect Nest. Viking, 1999, $A 22.95, ISBN 0-670-88317-4.

Pamela Allen is one of Australia's most prolific picture book author/illustrators. She has produced 24 picture books in 18 years and many of them have been award-winners. She is wonderful at layout and her books are full of exuberant movement and action.

This latest book is the fifth in the series about Mr McGee, an endearing little man with a bristly moustache and a bowler hat. In this one, a lazy bird wants a nest, a nest that must be 'just right'. The problem is, she is rather hoping she can get one ready-made. She tries a tea-pot, a pair of boots and a rubbish bin, but there is something wrong with all of them. When she sees Mr McGee with his blue umbrella, she chases him and steals the umbrella - with very funny consequences! And in doing so, she finds what she regards as the perfect nest.

This is a lovely book for reading aloud and for small children to join in. It has lots of great sounds - OWWWWW and EEEEEEEEEEH! - to help with the fun of reading. It could be acted out too - lots of Patricia Allen's books are good for this. The illustrations are bright and clear and children will be easily able to identify with the objects. There is repetition in the written text too, which will help with joining-in and pre-reading.

Recommended reading level: Age 0-5

Reviewed by Margot Hillel

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