Dear Broccoli
By Jo Dabrowski & Cate James
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
Jo Dabrowski started in advertising but quickly realised she preferred writing books, particularly ones where she can see a tiny bit of herself in one of the characters. Her titles include The Making of Martha Mayfield, Get Your Act Together, Doris Kozlowski and this, her debut picture book, Dear Broccoli, where she has teamed up with the versatile Cate James, who has perfectly captured the mood and tone of the text in her humourous and expressive illustrations.
Is there a child out there who loves broccoli? Frank certainly doesn’t and in desperation he starts writing letters when he finds broccoli on his plate again for the third time that week. Broccoli writes back and so begins an entertaining and informative correspondence. Broccoli is always formal, polite, full of suggestions, while Frank becomes increasingly more frantic. He explains that he does eat vegetables – cucumber, tomatoes – only to be told that they are fruit. Broccoli talks about the need for variety, that tastes change, that broccoli is rich in exactly the sort of nutrients that nurture the brain. Frank is finally convinced that Broccoli cares about him and is, maybe a really good friend. The witty ending is a delightful surprise.
Cate James has had lots of fun putting broccoli into everything. Frank’s duvet is covered in broccoli, he uses a broccoli shaped pen, everbody’s lunchbox has broccoli. She has excelled at recreating that particular instantly recognisable green colour and also at showing the many different expressions of ‘ugh’ as felt by Frank.
This book is great fun for everyone, particularly as a read aloud as Broccoli and Frank are such opposites. Teachers and parents can talk about the art of letter writing, the benefits of eating vegetables, expressing your feelings, being open to change, staying true to yourself, family mealtimes and more, but children will revel in the battle of wits and the growing understanding between Frank and Broccoli.
Recommended
