Emily S. Smith (text) and Peter Olczyk (illustrator), Kora Kerplunk’s Travelling Tongue, Larrikin House, February 2022, 32 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922503206
I’m with Kora Kerplunk’s tongue – EWWW!! And that is exactly what’s going to get a whole lot of kids giggling over this book.
Kora Kerplunk has the disgusting habit of licking all sorts of gross things, and when her tongue decides that it’s had enough, it runs away to travel the world and taste all sorts of things that are much nicer than boogers and paint.
The message of Kora Kerplunk’s story leans towards a warning in comedy form about the perils of putting the wrong things in your mouth, and a mild encouragement to try tasting different types of actual food. Kora’s parents’ way of handling the situation did not seem to be best practice parenting, but perhaps that would be something to discuss with young readers.
Lessons are learned, and Kora promises not to lick gross and dangerous things again (although the last page suggests that there’s a mass exodus of tongue, teeth and tonsils, so maybe there are still things to figure out). The strength of the story, however, lies in the humour and the way it will get children giggling over Kora’s revolting antics, and her tongue’s reaction.
The text is clear for young readers, and the illustrations have a bright, cartoony energy to them. This book is not for the weak of stomach, but the humour is going to appeal to young readers aged 3-6 whose sense of humour runs to the grosser the better, and who enjoy books like the Unreal Banana Peel series, or who get a kick out of things like the Trash Pack toys.
Reviewed by Emily Clarke
