Candy James, Look What We Can Do!, HarperCollins Children’s Books, February 2022, 80 pp., RRP $16.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781460760826
With its bold, solid colours, thick black line borders and comic strip panels, this illustrated story is a delight for early readers. Created by husband-and-wife team, Candy and James, the Archie and Reddie series was inspired by two fox plushies they made for their daughter to help her overcome challenges and gain confidence.
This is the third book in the series, where our two loveable friends try to come up with a winning piece for a talent show. They jumble all their talents into one performance, until they realise they are trying way too hard and it would be far better to be themselves and do what they love best. They don’t win the show, which is fine, because the best prize of all, was the fun they had along the way. Readers will enjoy pouring over each page, with the text and illustrations working perfectly together to tell a story with humour and heart.
Highly recommended for early readers.
Reviewed by Deborah Abela
