It’s the alphabet as you’ve never seen it before. The Great Kiwi ABC Book features Donovan Bixley’s most popular characters from his uniquely Kiwi, award winning Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald’s Farm.
Both books are huge hits in our house, and the newest Bixley creation has been a welcome addition to the nightly rotation. We had great fun spotting the milkshake-making cow, the All Blacks lambs, the cute pink ski-bunny and that giant squid from his previous books.
Each page is dedicated to a letter of the alphabet and Bixley draws on Aotearoa’s unique culture to illustrate the pages. From our native flora and fauna to rugby and farming, there is a host of clever characters to delight both children and adults. Kiwiana icons, from hokey pokey ice cream, to gumboots, to pavlova, make an appearance.
As usual, there is a hidden creature to find on each page which adds to the fun, and the book becomes a journey across New Zealand with kiwi.
Bixley, an illustrator and designer, is based in Taupo. With more than 100 stories and book covers, as well as over 50 books, under his belt, he has perfected a fun and clever style of illustrations that will delight readers.
The Great Kiwi ABC Book is a must for every Kiwi preschooler learning the alphabet. It will also make a lovely addition for school-aged children, with funny, sophisticated illustrations that make learning fun.
REVIEWER: Rebekah Fraser
TITLE: The Great Kiwi ABC Book
AUTHOR(S): Donovan Bixley
ILLUSTRATOR: Donovan Bixley
PUBLISHER: Upstart Press
RRP: $19.99