Review: Oscar and Arabella. Layton, N. (2002) SPOILERS

[NZteacher]

Oscar and Arabella is a gorgeous picture book in a narrative format about two mammoths. The theme of friendship is explored through the adventures of these two mammoths, Oscar and Arabella. This widely understood and experienced context makes it perfect to use in engaging children. The story line is fairly basic, suited more to younger children. THe humour is also consistent with this audience, with the mammoths' activities involving silly outcomes such as falling over, climbing trees etc.

Oscar and Arabella are the main characters in the story, and are best friends. The only other minor character is the 'mean' caveman who chases them and tries to ruin their fun. This adds some interest and humour to the story because the 'likeable' characters are the animals and the 'mean' character is the human.

The language is mostly a repeated structure of what the mammoths liked doing followed by the exception or explanation - e.g. they liked climbing trees, but were too big/fell out. Colloquial phrases and onomatopoeia is also used throughout with phrases such as Aghrrr! Puff! Puff! Which adds to the child-like, animated story line.

The illustrations are beautiful and child like, with an irregular textured look, giving the 'imperfect' feel that children identify with. The word/picture balance is great fro children, with limited words on each page. The font also supports the engagement of a young audience as it supports the language e.g. Tall letters for 'high', sideways letters for 'fall over'. The illustrations support and give a more complex development to the storyline throughout the text with little details layering the story.

The book reminds me of Ice Age with the mammoth that thinks she’s a possum and climbs trees. I think this is a connection that children would make also and appreciate because of that. Personally I love the messy imperfect illustrations because they feel fun and childish so seem really appropriate to share with kids. The motion lines in the illustrations help tell the story further. I found it fun to read and the sideline story shown through the illustrations captured me to read it more carefully. It is a book that you continue to appreciate the more you read it.