The recorded poems of Och Aye the G'nu by Jimmy Barnes

Ill. by Kat Chadwick. Five Mile Press, 2017. ISBN 9781760407070
Hardcover, 96 pages and CD
(Age: 4+) Recommended. The Recorded Poems of Och Aye the G'nu is a wonderful collection of funny, rhyming stories written by Jimmy Barnes in collaboration with The Wiggles. From the inviting tartan cover to the bonus CD with Barnes's distinctive voice and animated reading, accompanied by musical trills and interludes, this is a delightful experience. Kat Chadwick's fun line drawings bring the characters to life.
Young Och Aye the G'nu is a talented wildebeest who loves to sing, dance and play the bagpipes, dressed in his Scottish kilt. He is a crowd pleaser who enjoys the accolades of his fame, and even the Queen and the Prince and the Great Grand Wazoo love to watch his antics. 'Every wildebeest needs a good friend who is true' and Kanga fits this supportive role very well. He is there to cheer him up with African songs when Och Aye is missing his homeland and even to share food and blankets.
In seven easy to read chapters Och Aye experiences a sea cruise, buys new shoes, gets the flue, sings the blues and celebrates a birthday.
Listening to the CD adds to the fun and excitement of sharing these humourous tales, perfect for families and classes as they join in and predict the rhyming words. The Recorded Poems of Och Aye the G'nu is ideal for a young reader to develop their confidence and independence. A wonderful text to use for Early Years English, students can build on their understanding of patterns of repetition, and use the writing style to create more adventures for Och Aye and Kanga.
Rhyllis Bignell