FEARLESS

Written by: Colin Thompson

Illustrated by: Sarah Davis

Published by: First published in 2009 and then again in 2012 by Harper Collins, Australia

Ages:   4 year and over.

Theme: naming, fears, puppy, being true.

Opening Lines: When a new baby is born it’s difficult to tell if it will grow up to be BIG or small or brave or scared of the dark and spiders. So sometimes, babies get the wrong name.

Synopsis: (from the back cover) When a new baby is born it’s difficult to tell if it will grow up to be big or small or brave, or scared of the dark and spiders. So sometimes, babies get the wrong name. It’s the same with dogs. So when the Claybourne-Willments, who should have been called the Smiths, got Fearless as a little puppy, it seemed a good name for him. Except Fearless, wasn’t. How does Fearless finally live up to his name? By accident, of course!

Why I like this: Comical and adorably clever this story of being true to yourself has won many awards such as the Children’s Choice Award, Koala and Yabba to name a few. That adorable face begged to be picked up. In colourful pencil drawings of realistic humans and wonderful detailed expressions really helped you connect to the story even the dark colours used during the house break-in added great drama. They say bulldogs have big heads but small brains. Poor Fearless just didn’t understand why it was okay to go on the grass which the human Dad had spent hours mowing and not the carpet which Dad took no notice of at all. Then there’s the not going on the newspaper that was left out on the floor at night. In case his human mum wanted to read them, he thought. Older kids and adults will love the comical text while the younger kids will love the illustrations especially Fearless crossed eyes watching a fly on his nose. The book lends itself to a lot of discussion about being yourself not what others think you ought to be. Also this story certainly makes you look at your pet in a totally different light. What is your pet actually thinking when you are preparing his meal, or rubbing his tummy? I’m not going to give away how Fearless does live up to his name, or does he?

Resources/Findings:    Here’s a comical look at the story…     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GC5LjteEis

A great teachers notes on this link….     http://4edd9444c072ad07aff7-11d966b2703d5a5467932b6516b2610f.r67.cf2.rackcdn.com/teaching-guides/TG-9780733330827.pdf

A cute youtube video of the book..   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC8GF5c9mE4

Teachers guide and workbook on fearless provided by the author…. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Worksheets-for-FEARLESS-Colin-Thompson-Picture-Book-Literacy-1481040

I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view.  So pop over  and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.    Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.