and the children at Yalingbu Yirramboi- The Royal Children’s Hospital School
Reviewed by Sandy Driessens
“Explore the magic of imagination with the children of The Royal Children’s Hospital as they wonder where everyone at the hospital might go – the doctors, the nurses, the teachers and even themselves.”
Children’s Book Laureate, Alison Lester and award winner, Jane Godwin have collaborated with the children at Yalingbu Yirramboi – The Royal Children’s Hospital School to create a journey. Through poetry and illustration they have expressed the imagination of the children.
Lester’s simple poetry has captured the desires of each child from exploring the jungle or Outback, travelling through space or stories and their feelings when travelling to those places.
Godwin has collated the children’s drawings and arranged them on colourful backgrounds that speak to the joy or excitement experienced. Through subtle sketches hidden in the spreads she conveys a sense of connection and communication, without detracting from the children’s art.
The endpapers filled with clouds,each with a child’s name on it and sprinkled with stars tell the story. These are children looking for an escape from their hospitalization through their imagination.
The final stanza: “So many wild adventures, so many places to roam, so many magical, wonderful worlds, but the best place to be is our home.”
Children’s drawings are always a special way to understand their feelings, and these capture that. Young children will also enjoy seeing other’s creations. All royalties from the sale of this book go to Yalingbu Yirramboi – The Royal Children’s Hospital School.
“Explore the magic of imagination with the children of The Royal Children’s Hospital as they wonder where everyone at the hospital might go – the doctors, the nurses, the teachers and even themselves.”
