The Terrible Suitcase (Emma Allen & Freya Blackwood, Omnibus)

This delightful picture book from first-time author Emma Wood and award-winning illustrator Freya Blackwood tells a charming and poignant story about the challenges of fitting in. On the first day of school, everyone has a special bag—Howard has a rocket backpack, Millie has a backpack with a frog pattern and a rainforest sticker, and Ruby has a backpack with a special drinks compartment and a pocket covered with owl badges. But there’s an odd one out: one child has a terrible suitcase, and she’s so mad about her ugly bag that she accidentally chews her favourite hologram sticker during morning tea. But it turns out that there’s much more to the terrible suitcase than meets the eye—by the end of the day, imagination has taken over, and the suitcase ends up being everyone’s ticket to a fabulous adventure. The Terrible Suitcase is a wonderfully light-hearted and inventive tale that encourages children to celebrate difference, the power of imagination, and the creative joy of playing together. With its beautifully detailed illustrations and quirky humour, it’s sure to resonate with younger readers and parents alike.

Carody Culver is a part-time bookseller at Black Cat Books in Brisbane, a full-time PhD student and a freelance reviewer

Category: Reviews