But Then

The almost true story of an overdue book

By Swapna Haddow & Daron Parton

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Swapna has written many books for children including the award winning Dave Pigeon and Bad Panda. Her stories are full of humour and invention. Daron has illustrated more than 25 children’s books, has lived all over the world and now lives in New Zealand.

But Then is the hilarious tall tale of Grandad’s explanation to a bemused librarian of why the library book is overdue. It involves an eager penguin, two seals, a curious albatross and more. Grandad is ever inventive and manages to follow this much loved book as it is grabbed time and time again by keen readers.

There is plenty of suspense – who will grab the book next? How will it ever get back to the person who first borrowed it? The text, slightly more than usual for a picture book, has welcome repetition. The lively and colourful illustrations are marvels of speed, action, and invention as animals pop up from nowhere to grab that book.

The librarian is the traditional female of indeterminate age, with glasses and dangly earrings. We meet her on the very first page as she holds up the book to show the archaic date due slip with the date stamps, a nostalgic touch. Does the librarian believe Grandad’s extraordinary story? You have to make up your own mind. But it is a lovely idea that everyone can read and is so eager to do so.

This humorous book is a wonderful introduction to the tall tale, something that teachers can use when talking about storytelling and parents and child readers can use as the springboard for their own tall tales.

Scholastic 2024

Swapna Haddow (teacher’s notes included on her website)

Daron Parton