Tanya Hennessy (text) and Leigh Hedstrom (illustrator), Spotlight Please…It’s Stevie Louise (Stevie Louise, #2), Allen & Unwin, May 2022, 176 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760526429
This is the second book in the Stevie Louise series following on from Drum Roll please…It’s Stevie Louise. Stevie is an extroverted ten-year-old entertainer who along with her gang of friends make up the amateur theatre company, Lunchbox Productions. But the kids are horrified when Stevie’s mum proclaims she can no longer afford to keep them fed, costumed and transported. Then Stevie’s friend Trixie suggests a Talent Show with $1000 prize money as the solution to their problem. And so, the kids unite in a common goal to win.
These kids are larger than life and evidently drawn from Hennessy’s background in comedy. In an interview, she revealed that Stevie’s friend Alex was a homage to the exuberant gay, costume-loving boys of her youth and this shows. In this volume, Alex is introduced in hospital, sporting an irremovable unicorn horn in the middle of his forehead. “Hannah and I were talking about unicorns and how amazing and iconic they are, and then we decided I should BE a unicorn,” he explains to his dad and the doctor.
The fast-paced action and humour will appeal to readers at the younger end of the middle-grade spectrum. Another highlight of the diverse cast is Trixie, who uses a wheelchair to get around, and is the fabulous writing brains behind the troupe. The text is supported by Hedstrom’s endearing cartoon-style greyscale illustrations. Alex with his unicorn horn was a particular favourite.
The twist at the end, combined with the resilience of the friend group, will leave kids hankering for more.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
