Live life to the Max and find out who’s hiding with Gecko Press

Max's wagon

I’ve been lucky enough recently to look at some new books by Gecko Press who, according to their website, “translate and publish award-winning, curiously good children’s books from around the world”.

So far I agree with their tagline. I took three books home to share with a picture book aficionado – my lovely Lucy who is 2½ and helped me with the product testing. Max’s Wagon and Max’s Bath both by Barbro Lindgren. These gorgeous children’s books were first published in Swedish in 1986, but they have a timeless simplicity that will make them classic children’s books.

There is so much to Max’s experiences that a toddler can relate to. I shared both of these books with my 2 ½ yr old and at the end of the first one she said what a good story it was and both of the Max books have become favourites at bedtimes. From a parent’s point of view, the simple storylines with a recognisable, repeated pattern will help with a child’s reading development and predictive skills. I enjoyed sharing these books with Lucy almost as much she enjoyed having them read to her. 

Both the author and illustrator are celebrated and well-loved both in Sweden and abroad. Barbro Lindgren also did the charming Benny books.

Max’s Wagon by Barbro Lindgren, illus. Eva Eriksson 978-1-877467-04-2 (Hbk) RRP $14.95
Max’s Bath by Barbro Lindgren, illus. Eva Eriksson 978-1-877467-04-2 (Hbk) RRP $14.95

“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”

Sherlock Holmes

With these immortal words the public were introduced to the most famous of double acts: that of Mr Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H. Watson. They remain as popular as ever with the Victorian setting enhancing rather than diminishing their appeal.

 Since their appearance in 1887, they have been portrayed by formidable actors. Many swear by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, although the latter’s portayal of Watson as a bumbling, aged idiot has its critics.

A more impressive couple on Granada TV were Jeremy Brett with firstly, David Burke and then Edward Hardwicke. Unfortunately, Brett became too obsessed with the role and along with the demands of work made him severely ill. The need to shoot around his later absences made some of the later TV episodes disappointing and confusing. However, it must be stressed that they are still more than watchable.

The definitve pair  has to be (and I will brook no opposition) …