Flotsam and Jetsam and The Grooof by Tanya Landman
| Flotsam and Jetsam and The Grooof by Tanya Landman | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: The ootba histle washed up on the beach doesn't just scare the gulls - it also calls a visitor with a wet nose and waggy tail. One of the best early readers that we've seen. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 96 | Date: March 2008 |
| Publisher: Walker Books Ltd | |
| ISBN: 978-1406307054 | |
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We've met Flotsam and Jetsam before. They still live on their beach under the upturned boat, protected by the fact that the beach is inaccessible. Flotsam's hair is wild and knotted old string and they both have brown driftwood faces. They've come to terms with the sea, sometimes smooth … and it would lie almost perfectly still, dozing lazily in the bright sun like a contented cat. But sometimes it was like an angry tiger and each day there are new treasures washed up onto the beach.
I loved this book. I would never have believed that I could warm to two pieces of driftwood, but Flotsam and Jetsam found a soft spot as they make do and mend, convert and recycle. Jam jars become windows and a wooden box which says JAFA on the side is their bed. Their home under the upturned boat is shared with Sainsbury the hermit crab who has lost his shell and wears a thimble instead. He lives in a Wellington boot filled with sea water.
Their idiosyncratic speech could have annoyed, but doesn't. A newly confident reader will understand what is being said and most probably point out what isn't right about it! They'll love too the way the objects acquire names. The histle is washed up onto the beach one day and before long the pair discover that if you blow into one end of it there'll be a very loud screech. Closer examination of the histle uncovers some more letters. It's an ootba histle – just watch for the delighted grin on a child's face when they work out what it is.
The ootba histle doesn't just scare off the gulls though. It brings along another visitor – one with a large wet nose, long tongue and a waggy tail. The first thing that the visitor says is Grrrrr… and then ooof so he's known as The Grooof. He's big and hairy and fills the boat house, terrifying Flotsam and Jetsam but it's not long before they realise that he just wants to play.
The vocabulary is challenging but not beyond the early readers. They might need to ask for help with some words but it could even be turned into good experience in using a dictionary. The language itself is occasionally almost poetic – it's writing for children that's of a very high standard. The illustrations by Ruth Rivers are a perfect accompaniment to the text and often give valuable clues where help with the vocabulary might be needed It's also a book that children will return to because it's fun, interesting and has a good plot. Highly recommended – particularly for any child who isn't yet ready for a full-length book.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
Another early reader which has impressed us is Jamie and Angus Together by Anne Fine.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Flotsam and Jetsam and The Grooof by Tanya Landman at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Flotsam and Jetsam and The Grooof by Tanya Landman at Amazon.com.
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