Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon (Pub. Sept 2012)

*Disclaimer - I am a huge Gus Gordon fan, especially after his book Wendy.

Herman is an oboe-playing crocodile by night and an office worker by day. Rosie is an aspiring jazz-singing deer by night and a waitress by day. Both are struggling to make ends meet and slowly giving up on their dreams, until one day their paths cross.

Set in New York, this picture book is an urban tale of music, friendship and following your dreams. It is a story of two music-loving souls who lose their way in a big city that’s too busy to care. Until they find each other.

I thinks this is a lovely books showing parts of New York, as Gordon has interwoven into the story. As you read it to your child, explore the pages and teach them about the various parts of this city. It is interesting in subject matter - eg a children's book about money problems - but it is done in such a gentle way that it opens up this topic for thought and discussion taken whatever pace the child-listened may want.

I love the ideology in this book, the message, of following what you want to do, even when it's hard to do, and maybe, just maybe, it'll work out. A cute tale.