The unwilling twin by Freya Blackwood
Angus & Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460757536.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Jules does everything with her twin
brother, George. They are identical twins, right down to the
birthmark on each of their bottoms. They get up in the morning and
practise their yoga together, they don their identical jumpsuits and
eat breakfast together, then play together all day long. In summer
they go to the beach, wearing their identical swimsuits, sunglasses
and hats. They frolic on the sand, collect shells, look at the other
bathers and get into the water, although George is not too keen on
the waves.
Readers will by now be rolling about on the floor with helpless
laughter at George's antics, paralleling those of Jules, but
noticing that something is a little different. Kids of all ages will
love seeing the humour behind Jules' assumption that she and George
are identical, seeing George get up to the sort of things that pigs
do well, but also going along with Jules as his playmate. But at the
beach, George falls asleep, dreaming of lolling about in a bath of
mud, while Jules builds a sand castle.
She imagines the two of them living in the castle, but when she
calls out to George she cannot find him at all.
Pencil, watercolour and pastel were used by Freya Blackwood for her
distinctive illustrations. The title and publications pages showcase
framed photos of the pair from newborn, seeing Father Christmas,
donning tutus for a performance and blowing candles out on their
third birthday cake. Readers will get a thrill seeing Jules and
George doing the same sort of things they have done and recognise
stages in their lives that are similar. Blackwood's illustrations
fill the pages with beautiful images of family life, culminating in
the wonderful sweeping images of children at play at the beach. All
the fun of the beach is shown: the long hot drive there, setting up
a spot for the umbrella, chasing seagulls, collecting shells, eating
an icecream, and playing in the water.
A small disagreement occurs when George wakes and want to play, but
Jules is not too willing. But like all siblings, the disagreement is
soon resolved and an icecream settles the day.
This charming tale of siblings, of identity, of getting along with
others will find an instant audience, asking for it to be read out
loud over and over, reprising trips they have had to the beach with
their families, laughing at Blackwood's gentle humour.
Theme: Sibling rivalry, Twins, Identity, Beach, Family life, Humour.
Fran Knight