The 10th book for children by Braidwood Robyn Goodwin

JULY 1 2019 - 1:55PM
Robyn Goodwin's latest book for children
Robin Wallace-Crabbe

Backyard Tales series has just spread its wings and lifted off the ground. 
And, wow, isn't it an amazing addition to the set.
While, at first glance, these publications may appear to be specifically suited to young book readers, time taken by people of any age to browse the illustrations and text will cause them to laugh from imagined treetops followed by hopping around just as the noisy and proud Mr Featherpants does.
It's one thing to write stories about the life experiences of fictional characters reflecting on the realities of this or that day to day in nature.
It's quite another to its typeset words with totally fantastic, full colour illustrations among which there is a smiling, red lipped sunflower sporting another flower species, pink and white, on her forehead.
Each if this publication's page spreads features a rhyming couplet offering one more bit of fun for young and old readers. Plus, of course Goodwin's fantastic illustrations.
As I was typing that last sentence I was examining the owl who, along with all her relatives, is well known for the talons she uses to hold onto a tree branch.
Meanwhile Mr Featherpants, on another branch not so far away, thinks deeply, laughing, his eyes bright, his beak wide open.
As with 'great art' in Grand Capital City exhibitions, Owl takes hold of my gaze with certainty while I am gobsmacked by his neat purple waistcoat which is featuring a flower pinned where the cloth crosses the shoulder. His yellow eyes are wide open with wonder.
Of course Mister Featherpants, beautifully presented on the title page with his beak calling out to our world while his yellow jacket lets us know who is the proud boss in this neck of the woods.
And still Crow is known for her lipstick and tights. 'I can laugh louder!' she proclaims. Which, of course, leads to readers being asked, 'Could she be right?'
Mr Featherpants, by Goodwin, is the fourth book by the author to be published by Brolly Books. Goodwin recently donated copies of her books to the Ambleside public library in England's Lake District in recognition of the inspiration she has derived from the work of Beatrix Potter, one of the Lake District's most notable creatives.