Nette Hilton (text) and A. Yi (illustrator), Introducing D’Lila La Rue, Walker Books Australia, March 2021, 128 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760652562
D’Lila LaRue is an adventurous and independent young girl. She’s not the kind of girl who gets up to mischief on purpose, but, due to her curious, helpful and determined nature, she often finds herself in amusing situations. Nanny Anny is the kind of Nanny who naps in theatres, squishes chocolates to avoid the soft-centred ones and pops raspberry lollipops in D’Lila’s mouth throughout the day. D’Lila’s parents are “VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE” who are often busy or away, and so D’Lila spends a lot of time being looked after by (or looking after) Nanny Anny.
Introducing D’Lila LaRue holds three separate stories, each broken into short chapters of simple, well-spaced text alongside delightful cartoon-style drawings. In the first story, D’Lila helps Nanny tend to the rose garden, with humorous mishaps that benefit the neighbour too. In the second story, D’Lila helps Nanny catch a bus to the city to see a play, and manages to make her way onto the stage. In the third story, D’Lila attends Nanny’s painting class and, despite trying to be good, ends up infuriating the teacher.
These are charming stories with surprising and funny twists. The relationship between D’Lila and Nanny Anny is lovely—the sort of special relationship with an older person that children thrive on. D’Lila’s literal interpretations of Nanny’s phrases like “stay on your toes” are always entertaining.
There is a timelessness to these stories, which feel like they could be set any time in the last 50 years. Perhaps this is because many of the adults in the stories are very formal and often quite rude to D’Lila. Even Nanny says, Your job is to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, while popping a lollipop into D’Lila’s mouth and sitting her in the corner. This somewhat antiquated attitude might be a little alarming for some people, although the stories are otherwise quite gentle and non-threatening.
Introducing D’Lila LaRue is recommended for early independent readers, around 5-8 years old.
Reviewed by Bec Blakeney
