My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh - Nick Sharratt > Reviews (1)

This is a new addition to my children’s picture book shelf!

≈≈≈ Price ≈≈≈
My paperback version, ISBN: 0-7445-9499-5 was £4.99 but is available from Amazon from £1.29 but do be aware of P&P charges.

≈≈≈ Nick Sharratt ≈≈≈

Those of you who are used to children’s picture books will no doubt recognise Nick Sharratt’s name as being the illustrator of many picture books, working alongside a range of authors.
However he does sometimes go out there on his own, writing and illustrating his own books:
~ Caveman Dave
~ Dinosaur’s Day Out
~ Monday Run-Day
~ Mr Pod and Mr Piccalilli
~ Mrs Pirate
~ Pirate Pete
~ Smart Aunties

Nick Sharratt studied graphic design and began drawing humorous illustrations for magazines and packaging for cake boxes and sweet packets before venturing in to the world of picture books.

≈≈≈ My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh ≈≈≈

The book is told by a little boy who looks about 3 – 4 years old. He begins the book by informing the reader that his Mum and Dad make him laugh, one likes spots and the other likes stripes.
He then focuses on his Mum, declaring that she likes spots in the summer and the winter.
Moving on to his Dad, he confirms that he likes stripes on weekdays and weekends.
One day they decide to go to the Safari Park. Mum and Dad looking very ‘dapper’ in their spots and stripes, whilst the parents declare that their son likes funny clothes as he is in plain grey top and trousers.
Stopping for lunch, Mum has a spotty pizza, Dad a stripy ice-cream and the little boy has a bun. “You do like funny food!” said Mum and Dad.
When they get to the Safari Park…… can you guess what animals Mum and Dad preferred relating to spots and stripes?
Whereas the little boy loved the elephant, plain, grey and big…… on returning to his house the reader is allowed a little peek in to his bedroom which is FULL of elephants.

≈≈≈ Style, Format and Illustrations ≈≈≈

This is suitable for 2 years upwards, the style and content being very simple yet eye-catching and of interest to pre-school children.

This book is full of fabulous patterns of stripes and spots, contrasting greatly with the grey choice of the little boy in the family.

Nick Sharratt has ensured that this appeals to very young children, it’s bold and vibrant, with Mum in extrovert spots, Dad in striking stripes. Even the wallpapers, nightwear, ties, ribbons etc contrast between stripes and spots. My particular favourite is the family car which is obviously a compromise between the parent’s love of spots and stripes. Hopefully the photos that I have added will demonstrate this to you.

As an illustrator, Nick Sharratt has used a wide range of media: charcoal, waterproof ink and watercolour paints etc. For the illustrations in this book he states that he has done the following:
‘ I used wax crayons. I dipped cotton buds in white spirit and used them like brushes to smudge and paint the wax’.
All I can say is that it certainly works.

The majority of each page is taken up by the illustrations with simple sentences placed at the bottom of each page.

≈≈≈ My Verdict ≈≈≈
I bought this as I was timetabled to work with our Nursery children for one hour per week and wanted something new to read to them. They absolutely loved it and we managed to discuss patterns and colours as well as creating our own vibrant large scale stripes and spotty paintings!
I also used this as a basis for discussing how people are all different and although we all like different things we can still get along with each other, an important element of the Personal, Social and Emotional Development area of the Foundation Stage.
It also gives the opportunity of discussing what weekdays and weekends are as well as the seasons of the year.

All in all, this is a great book, lots of fun and enjoyable to read. I would go so far as to say that I would highly recommend this book for pre-school children.