An action driven picture book that engages mainly visual narrative to reveal the story of a little sparrow’s journey across the sea from India to Australia. The sparrow follows the food, and at the Café Botanica he chances upon little Edie Irvine and her grandparents. The story’s theme is that of freedom, choice and chance, and how these simple things can bring so much joy and enrichment our lives. Bob Graham’s tender and sensitive cartoon drawings are set against more realistic watercolour illustrations of sparrows, with some gorgeous scenes from the bird’s-eye viewpoint of the sparrow. Well-placed words and pictures flow effortlessly, and as the story’s conclusion approaches there is maximum reader impact, as the last few pages warmly reveal the cause and serendipitous effect of the sparrow’s action. In one fleeting moment, the sparrow’s freedom to act allows the young and curious Edie to discover the sweet taste of vanilla ice cream. The delighted expression on Edie’s face says it all!Vanilla Ice Cream is a perfect example of how a picture book can deliver the full emotional and visual effect of an important message in a subtle way. For children aged four to eight years. Reviewed for Creative Kids Tales by Kathy Creamer This book was...unexpected. The majority of the story follows a cute little sparrow and I fully expected that this story would somehow resolve, but alas, it does not. Instead the sparrow leads us over 20 pages to a child who tastes ice cream for the first time. If this is supposed to be a "caude and effect" in the vein of "a butterfly's wings," it is woefully unsuccessful. That being said, the ink and watercolor illustrations are just delightful.
What do You think about Vanilla Ice Cream (2014)?
A subtle story about freedoms and also of chance. Endorsed about Amnesty International.
—hancocktom41
Lovely watercolor illustrations. A strange but ultimately lovely journey.
—anarch
Never before has a sparrow been more endearing.
—googlemouth
