She’s bark!

Winner of the 2020 State Library of NSW Emerging Children’s Author Award, Victoria Mackinlay has a new bark, I mean book. It’s called THE BARK BOOK

Like her previous book, the ripper Ribbit Rabbit Robot, THE BARK BOOK revels in playing with language, just as the adorable dog that drives the narrative loves to play the day away.

A bark in the park before dark involves barking up a tree, fetching a bark covered stick, and a bunch of fun things that all spark a bark.

THE BARK BOOK is illustrated by Beth Harvey, one of the illustrious animators on the ABC series, Bluey, the third series of which she is Animation Director.

One for the barchives, THE BARK BOOK is both a pictorial treat and language learning delight. Read it aloud with a bit of Bach in the barkground.

THE BARK BOOK written by Victoria Mackinlay, illustrated by Beth Harvey is published by ABC Books

From the canine to the feline, the prolific Victoria Mackinlay has also authored THE LION WHO CAME TO STAY, an extraordinary tale based on a true story.

THE LION WHO CAME TO STAY is illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh and is based on the author’s grandfather’s amazing story of having been gifted a lion cub by an Indian Maharajah, Jam Sahib of Nawanagar.

In those days, lions in London were inanimate sentinels that graced Trafalgar Square or specimens in the zoo. So, for a real, live lion to be given licence to live in London caused quite a to do.

The lion’s name was Sing, which is Sanskrit for lion. Of course, lion’s don’t sing, they roar, but who is to say that a roar cannot soar into a musical score?

As usual with her work, Mackinlay takes delight in word play, having fun with phonetics and words which conjure multiple meanings, finding the comedy in context and syntax.

Complimenting Ronojoy Ghosh’s colourful illustrations are black and white photos of the subject that inspired the story.

THE LION WHO CAME TO STAY is a gift of family folk lore bestowed to a wider audience. Call it a lion share.

THE LION WHO CAME TO STAY by Victoria Mackinlay, illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh, is published by Scholastic Australia.

Featured image : Author Victoria Mackinlay