Kangaroo Clues

Margot Finke
Illustrated by Mustafa Delioglu

7/4/2004

Review by Molly

It must have Dreamtime spirit-man who sewed the pouch in kangaroo. Near a shady billabong Old Man Kanga and his friends, Marsupial mouse, Emu, Goana, Platypus, Kookaburra, frill neck lizard, Cockatoo and Echidna all heard the dogs coming. With leaps and bound Old Man Kanga made it to the water just in time. The dingos were right behind. Into the water went Platypus and Old Man Kanga while Kookaburra laughed and Goana hid. Galas screamed while Koala's encouraged Kanga on.

Kangaroo Clues is a marvelous book told in rhyme, created by talented writer Margo Finke and filled with delightful illustrations from Mustafa Delioglu. For readers living outside of Australia the tale introduces children to animals and words not heard in every day conversation. For children living in Australia the words may not be new, but the story will offer as much appeal. Delioglu's drawings are vivid, well executed and large enough for children to understand.

Full page art work sets off the narrative to perfection. Kangaroo Clues covers 31 pages of cheery rhyme and exciting illustrations sure to please the target audience of beginning readers. Vocabulary is a bit advanced for the youngest readers, however even very young children will be held captivated by the tale as they navigate the buttons turning the pages while Mom or Dad, or older sibling read the words to them.

A read-to book for the 3-5 set, read-with some help for the 6 and 7s, and read mostly alone for the 8 and 9s. Wonderful book for the home or classroom library. Teachers will find the work a good addition to the 'multi culture' unit. Kangaroo Clues is a book sure to be reached for often for both pleasure time reading and for class work. Kangaroo Clues is a book I would use in my own Kindergarten-First grade classroom.

You can find more about this book at the Reader's Eden .

If you'd like to add any comments about this book, add them to my new blog. Be sure you mention the book title. I'll post your comments here.

10/1/07 Jandy I thought you'd like to know that the illustrator for "Kangaroo Clues," my rhyming PB (reviewed on your site), lives in Turkey, speaks no English, and does not have a computer. An English speaking online friend, who lives near Mustafa, offered to act as interpreter and go-between. The result of this three-way collaboration can be seen in the delightful art-work he did for "Kangaroo Clues." Without the internet, I would never have been able to work with this well-known and talented European illustrator and portrait artist.

Margot Finke

(And Margot, thanks for the link correction. It should go where your book is now.)