Vocal Violet by Susannah McFarlane

Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 788 8.
Unique Una by Susannah McFarlane
Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Little mates. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 739 0.
(Age: 3+) Australian animals, Alphabet. Another two books in this series of stories about Australian animals, each book concentrating on one letter of the alphabet, will add to the 19 already published. All of the books are listed in the back cover of each title, adding to the idea of the collection of the whole set. Within a classroom or pre school, the whole set would make a neat introduction to the alphabet, and even at home, parents could use the books in this way. At $4.99 each, the cost makes buying the set within reach. Their presentation makes them sturdy with the harder cover of the small paperback books, and the fold in ends adding to their long life .
Each book, Unique Una and Vocal Violet uses alliteration to emphasise the letter under consideration. So Una the caterpillar has several friends, Usher, Ursula, Ulrik and Ulla who are all unusual, Una wearing Ugg boots. Eventually the four caterpillars grow up to be the most beautiful Ulysses Butterflies. While with Vocal Violet, the most vocal vampire bat in Victoria, attempts are made to curb her voice. With a preponderance of 'v' words, younger children will be excited by the little bat trying to understand why her voice is like it is.
Fran Knight