It Was You, Blue Kangaroo

Emma Chichester Clark Press Reviews

Praise for the Blue Kangaroo series:

'Irresistible... brimming with 'Aaah factor  Bookseller

'Blue Kangaroo is a winner.' T. E. S

'Warm, funny and beautifully observed. Any family that hasn't yet discovered Blue Kangaroo has a treat in store.
Daily Telegraph

'Blue Kangaroo is rapidly becoming an all-time classic children's character.'  Books For Keeps

Praise for What Shall We Do, Blue Kangaroo?:

'This latest story of Lily and her little blue friend contains much to enjoy on many levels and is utterly enchanting. Chichester Clark achieves a magical luminosity and richness in her pictures. Books for Keeps

'Clark's expressive characters and clear, bright watercolors enhance the humor of this appealing story about independence and friendship.' Publishers Weekly

'As always, Clark's watercolor illustrations are bright and appealing. Readers ... will be delighted to be reunited with this pair.' School Library Journal Review

This is the third in the series of Blue Kangaroo books by the experienced children's author and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark. In 1988, Chichester Clark won the Mother Goose Award as the most exciting newcomer to children's book illustration and this simple but appealing book shows that she has lived up to her promise. The heroine of It Was You, Blue Kangaroo! is Lily, a little girl who always blames her acts of naughtiness, such as flooding the kitchen or stealing toys from her baby brother, on her favourite toy, Blue Kangaroo. Eventually, Lily's mother becomes so cross that she banishes Blue Kangaroo to the downstairs bookcase, and Lily has to go to sleep without him. Luckily, Blue Kangaroo is able to save the day and appease Lily's mum. Chichester Clark is by training an illustrator rather than a writer, and the great charm of this book is in its illustrations. You could easily leave the words out and the pictures would tell the story by themselves. Each picture, although clear and simple, has enough detail to engage the curiosity of small children. There's plenty of gentle comedy too - the look of alarm on the cat's face, when Lily dresses it in baby clothes, is marvellous. The real hero of the story is Blue Kangaroo himself, who demonstrates the value of loyalty in adversity. Any child who enjoyed the first two Blue Kangaroo books will surely love this one and look forward to many more. (Kirkus UK)