Shmoof

By Heidi McKinnon

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Heidi has collaborated with many writers to create  memorable picture books as well as writing and illustrating her own. She is the master of  restrained simple storytelling, combining an economy of style and colour with uncomplicated text that results in appealing and amusing stories for young children. Her titles inclue  There’s No Such Thing, Baz and Benz, It’s a Long Way to Shop and I Just Ate My Friend which was shortlisted for the  CBCA Book of the Year, Crichton Award for New Illustrators, 2018, and of Floof, the companion volume to Shmoof.

Shmoof is a delightful picture book revealing what happens when a dog is introduced to a household ruled by a cat. Shmoof, as one can expect from a fluffy puppy is very ready to be friends but the equally fluffy cat, Floof definitely does not want be friends! Anyone who shares their home with a cat and a dog will be familiar with this scenario.  The dog and cat each do their own different tricks with no success, if only they had something in common. Along comes the vacuum cleaner and they discover how to work together. I love the final page where the two, having become friends over destroying said vacuum cleaner are looking at a parcel labelled RoboVac…

This hilarious story is perfect for the very young. The silly rhyming names, the brief text combined with the expressive action packed illustrations will make reading aloud fun for everyone. Shmoof is available now, and those who enjoyed this book may also like to read Floof, the original story of the cat, also available.

Activity sheet

Albert Street Books 2025

Heidi McKinnon