The Susurrus

By Genevieve Young Evans & Cate James

Reviewed by Margarite Igras

Genevieve Young-Evans has written a playful story with a strange title that is sure to attract the interest of the younger four- to six-year-old reader. What is this strange thing called a Susurrus?  Cate James’ illustrations give a clue – a movement that weaves its chalk lines throughout the pages and sends the children in the story on a hunt. Genevieve claims she like to write quirky, heartwarming stories for kids that almost always involve a little bit of fantasy.

Grandma poses the question to her granddaughter Frankie as she is about to board the school bus:
‘Listen. Can you hear the susurrus?’
‘What’s a susurrus?’ asked Frankie but the bus departs before Grandma can answer.  Frankie’s friend Andy doesn’t know but offers an imaginative drawing of a scary monster with sharp teeth. The canteen parent claims it is a little like an echidna, … and a lot like a crocodile, and the animal books in the library were certainly not helpful. Regardless, the chalk lines continue to dart, dance, rush and whisper outside the classroom, between the branches and down the street.  With the help of her grandma who was waiting at the bus stop at the end of the school day, Frankie finally works it out.

The colourful illustrations fill each page with the ordinary – the neighbourhood, the school bus, the classroom, canteen and library BUT, everywhere, there is the strange weaving chalk line, and a mysterious green creature hidden amongst the pages waiting to be found.

This is a joyful book with a fantasy twist that will appeal to the younger reader and keep them wondering to the last page. There will also be a demand for a re-read as they discover the mysterious green creature lurking amongst the pages. I found at least ten. How many did you find?

Walker Books Australia 2025

Genevieve Young-Evans

Cate James