The incredible runaway snot by Josh Pyke

Illus. by Heath McKenzie. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760971083.
(Age: 3+) Children will be sucked in right from the first incredible illustration of a huge nose with a tiny, big eyed green snot peeking out. "Eric the snot liked his life quite a lot stuck up a nose in a cosy old spot" and managed to stay safe from nose-pickers, enjoying his quiet life. But lots of other snots came to Eric for tips for staying out of the way of fingers, so he decided to start a Snot School. However, he is inundated with requests for help and has no time for any fun. What can he do?
Children are always fascinated with bodily functions, no matter how gross they may seem, so this book about snot will be a winner. The rhyming text by award-winning singer/songwriter, Josh Pyke makes it a fun book to read aloud, and beginning readers will appreciate the humour and short sentences, while laughing aloud at the end when Eric takes the plunge to leave his home and go on an adventure to find peace.
Heath McKenzie's illustrations are always hilariously funny, and readers will enjoy following the adventures of Eric. The book starts with end papers with pale white tissue boxes drawn against a sickly yellow-green background and sets the colour tones. Eric is also green with big white eyes and mouth and eyebrows outlined in black. His facial expressions range from peaceful as he dozes in the nose, thoughtful as he decides to start a Snot School, authoritative as he teaches and gleeful as he waves to his friends.
This is a fun book for children who certainly will enjoy the humour and illustrations.
Pat Pledger