Title: Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush

Author: Robyn Osborne

Illustrator: John Phillips

Published: July 2018

Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

Pages: 32

Genres:  Children –  4 to 8 years

RRP: $14.99

Rating: 4 stars

Barefoot Bob and Bruno live together in a broken down barracks surrounded by the beautiful Aussie bush. Although they don’t have much in the bank, they are the best of buddies and life is bonzer. Then one day Bob hits the bonanza and everything changes. Without a backward glance, Bob and Bruno move to the big smoke. But is this fancy new life better than the one they had in the bush?
An alliterative, humorous tale which celebrates mateship and introduces young readers to the quintessential language of the Australian bush.

Review:

What a tribute to Australia! Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush is an exuberant tale of mateship, which is centred around the heart-warming friendship between a man Bob and his loveable rogue of a dog, Bruno. This is a dinky-di story that works hard to deliver a tribute to Australia and our way of life.

Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush is a rip-roaring story about a true blue Aussie gent from the bush, Bob and his loyal companion Bruno. These two are inseparable and when we first meet them, life in their home, which is situated in the heart of the bush, is all smooth sailing. But things change when Bob hits the jackpot and he decides to move away from the bush, to the city. In the city the friends get into a few binds but the lesson they learn, that their hearts well and truly belong to the bush, is a great parting message.

Self confessed dogaphile Robyn Osborne returns with another children’s book that will be sure to earn a place in the heart of any dog lover. Following on from titles such as Dog Logic and Midget Bones’ Diary, Osborne introduces us to a blue heeler named Bruno and his trusty owner, Bob. Within a few pages in to this lively tale, it is blindingly obvious that these two are the very best of friends. We also receive an excellent snapshot of a typical day in the bush and what fun this twosome indulges in, day in day out!

The lively illustrations of John Phillips enhances Bruno the Boisterous Blue Blue Dog from the Bush even further. These rigorous cartoon like sketches work perfectly, delivering an eye-catching treat for readers to appreciate. The splash of colour that adorns the pages of this picture book helps to illuminate the animated character set of the book. The movement and setting springs out from the pages of this picture book so the audience gets a fantastic feel for both bush, as well as city life. A busy map of Australia covering the adventures of the twosome is contained around the half way mark of the book and provides a most welcome addition to the story. I could also see this map delivering plenty of teachable moments about locations in Australia.  All the important aspects of the story are given a new lease of life by the talent artwork of the illustrator, John Phillips.

There are some very valuable teaching notes that accompany Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush, which can be found by visiting Big Sky Publishing.

I was impressed by the opportunities this delightful picture book was able to provide in the form of teaching young children about Australian culture and our way of life in the outback. There is a strong focus on traditional slang words, along with a few Aussie bush euphemisms, that entertains reader even further. Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush would make the perfect gift to send overseas, providing international readers with a chance to experience all our good country has to offer, through the simple act of reading a treasured picture book.

Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush is the best example of a children’s picture book that I have come across for some time that is packed full to the brim with alliteration. It goes something a little like this:

On spring mornings, when the bees buzzed in the Banksia blossoms, Bruno and Bob would share baked beans by the billabong.

Every single page of this picture book contains plenty words that begin with the ‘b’ sound, who knew there were so many words starting with b! While conducting a read aloud of this book, the whole experience became very amusing as my tongue twisted around the constant stream of inventive b words! I guarantee this subtle form educating young children about the play on language will be sure to induce a few sniggers! I know I will be turning to Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush the next time I need to cover the ‘b’ sound in my teaching practices, it is the perfect vehicle to introduce this sound in the classroom environment.

A yarn suitable for children aged from four to eight years, Bruno the Boisterous  Blue Dog from the Bush can be used both as a storybook to enjoy in classrooms, local community libraries and in our homes. There are a number of underlying messages that follow this amusing book from loyalty, friendship, travel to more importantly, learning that home is where the heart is. Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush is a beaut salutation to rural Australia and a celebration of our unique bond with man’s best friend.

Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush by Robyn Osborne and illustrated by John Phillips was published in July 2018 by Big Sky Publishing. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.

To learn more about Just Write For Kids – Books on Tour visit here.

To learn more about the author of Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush, Robyn Osborne visit here.

* I wish to thank Big Sky Publishing/Just Write For Kids – Books On Tour for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Bruno the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush, is book #148 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge

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