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Tuesday 6 January 2015

#365PictureBooks 6. Edward and the Great Discovery by Rebecca McRitchie, illustrated by Celeste Hulme

McRitchie, R., & Hulme, C. (2014). Edward and the Great Discovery. Frenchs Forest, Australia: New Frontier.

ISBN: 9781925059007
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook / Adventure
Rating: 4 stars

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Edward comes from a long line of archaeologists who have ALL made important discoveries.  Sadly he has never discovered anything.  Until ... one night after digging in the back-yard ... he trips over an egg. 

Taking it inside he carefully cleans it, keeps it warm and loves it.  And then one day it hatches!  But it's not an ordinary bird - it's a bit big and it can't fly!  They are great companions with the strange bird following Edward everywhere, helping him out on his digs and loving him.  Edward begins to think his bird is broken so he takes a trip to the museum to cheer himself up.  There he finds a never-before seen room full of birds and a book about Dodos.  Maybe his bird isn't broken after all!!!   

Hulme's use of muted hues give the illustrations a distinctive vintage feel which fit perfectly into the theme of the story.  You see many images of Edward and his bird having all sorts of fun together.  As an adult reader Edward appears to be a very lonely child - rambling around in the huge house and grounds with nary a sight of his family, though I doubt he children would see this in the images.  


The love Edward and his bird have for each other is clearly evident on their faces, as is the disappointment on Edwards face when he thinks his bird is broken.

This is a lovely book about friendship, adventure and discoveries.  On the end-papers children can check-out Edward's archaeology kit (and maybe put their own kit together - parents beware!!!)   

Although it is classed in the Early Childhood age range, I believe it will be more appreciated by children in the 6-10 year old age range.

I got my copy of Edward and the Great Discovery from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

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