What to Do When You’re Not Sure What to Do (Davina Bell, illus Hilary Jean Tapper, Lothian)

‘Some things need careful hands … It’s always good to ask first … Remember to look up! And look down.’ These are some of the little snippets of advice offered in this tender guide to being in the world. The text, written by much-loved author Davina Bell, is paired with suitably gentle illustrations by Hilary Jean Tapper that show the child’s experience at the centre of each situation. What to Do When You’re Not Sure What to Do follows the pair’s previous book, What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say, and focuses on situations children may experience outside the home, whether that’s finding a nest of eggs (‘some things need to be left alone’) or riding an escalator (‘a bigger step’). The rhythm of the simple advice is paired perfectly with the images that zoom in on details, such as using ‘gentle hands’, and other times present a broad panorama view, such as the beach. While this book is not as boisterous or lively as Bell’s bestselling titles with Allison Colpoys (All the Ways to Be Smart, Under the Love Umbrella), the sparse text repays rereading and invites parents and children to reflect and fill in the gaps with their own experiences. A lovely, gentle book for kids aged 2–6.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Fay Helfenbaum is a freelance writer and editor and was a bookseller for five years. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews