by Ian Eagleton
illustrated by Hayley Wells
Dad, Daddy and their child are off for playtime in the new local park. “I am fizzing with excitement!”, exclaims the protagonist. But, when they reach their destination, every play opportunity -sliding on ice, climbing ropes- is met with a STOP or a NO from the child’s anxious parents.
The family sit down together for a quiet chat. “ ‘We’re sorry’, Dad whispers” and “ ‘This is new for us,’ Daddy says. ‘For all of us’”, suggesting a newly formed, likely an adoptive, family.
Can one thrill seeking but reflective child spur their parents to embrace adventurous play? A lovely story about change and about enabling exciting, imaginative activities in the great outdoors through a mutually supportive family unit- and a bucketful of whizz and zip!
Eagleton's text is sometimes still and tender, at other times full of bursting exclamations, a liveliness enhanced by a font which grows and curves and dips. Wells’ fresh, ice-cream-palette, illustrations transform the playground in to fantastical landscapes, including a rainforest, pirate ship and a roundabout which spins and zooms the characters into superheroes. The attention to detail is absorbing- the sheer range of winter bobble hats is delightful and watch out for the trio of bushy-tailed squirrels who keep popping up.
"What a wonderfully imaginative and inclusive book - take your parents through the pages on a rip roaring adventure...literally breaking the ice! I loved the dads holding hands- very refreshing; a relationship in plain sight. Offers lots of scope for further imagaintiave discussions about superheroes, dinosaurs amd pirates" (Elaine, Foster Care Associates Liaison Officer, Letterbox Library reviewer). [Interracial couple; diverse playground scene includes: characters with different skin tones; woman wearing headscarf; children with wheelchair & ear defenders]. Age 4-7, Hardback 24pp
Themes: Diverse Families Themes: LGBTQ+