An unusually hot summer creates difficulties for the woolly mammoths Oscar and Arabella. Being so woolly means nothing seems to keep them cool.
Another fantastic picture book about those two lovable woolly mammoths, Oscar and Arabella, from Smarties shortlist author Neal Layton.
This is a most original and inventive book, as well as being a good introduction to woolly mammoths and the concept of extinction.
The illustrations are lively and simple and Oscar and Arabella are depicted in a cartoon style, while background detail, such as the graffiti in the cave where they are doing their prehistoric painting, adds some fun.
The fonts used for the descriptive words are bold and provde a visual equivalent to inomatopoeia. 'Dark' is big and black and blocky, 'fall over' is italicised and wobbly and 'fast' has speed lines in front of it.
Altogether, this is an enjoyable story in simple language, and it should provide an enticing introduction to prehistory.
Many of Neal Layton's ideas come he says from his childhood. In the past he has worked on a lettuce farm, in a chocolate factory, a teapot factory, a book shop and has delivered papers. Neal has illustrated more than 40 books to date working with award winning authors such as Michael Rosen and Roger McGough. `Oscar and Arabella` which he both wrote and illustrated won him the Smarties prize in 2002, and That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown won the Nestle Gold Award.