REVIEW

Title: What’s Up Top? Author: Marc Martin Illustrator: Craig Smith Publisher: Penguin/ Viking RRP: $24.99

THEY say curiosity killed the cat but face facts, it’s a good thing for kids to have.

Author/illustrator Marc Martin’s picture book What’s Up Top? ticks all the boxes in igniting that desire to find out and to speculate.

So what is at the top of the ladder? Is it a hat, a cat or a snail on a whale?

That’s up to the reader to find out.

This is a simple, playful and slightly absurd book for parents or grandparents to read to little kids, and for nippers who are learning to read to practise a new skill that will take them into a wonderful world of imagination, creativity and education.

Martin has five previous books including A Forest, The Curious Explorer’s Illustrated Guide to Exotic Animals A-Z, Max, A River, and Lots.

Much of his previous picture book work has revolved around lush and detailed natural landscapes. This time around, his illustrations retain that theme but also blend in cityscapes and indoor scenes, combining mystery with the familiar.

It’s all good fun.