When's My Turn? is a picture book I can really relate to having recently invested in a strip of AstroTurf for the back yard so my son and I can practice playing cricket on a nice even surface. Hayley Smithers and John Yahyeh have taken the tradition of a father and son galvanising their relationship through sport, in this case cricket, and presented a simple story with vivid and dynamic pictures. Told from the boy's point of view, our protagonist is schooled in the art of batting by a slightly over-enthusiastic dad. Each afternoon he is given plenty of practice in bowling and fielding but when it comes to taking strike his father is reluctant to give up the bat. This results in some humorous tactics by the boy to avoid any more cricket practice. The illustrations are bright, colourful and full of amusing minor characters that will provide younger readers with entertaining sub-plots. Fortunately mum talks some sense into dad and the story ends happily for both father and son. Dads will enjoy sharing this book with their children; it's fun, engaging and will hopefully lead to many games of backyard cricket with cries of 'when's my turn?'.

Ben Beaton is a Perth writer and teacher. Copyright 2003 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors

Tags: hayley smithers and john yahyeh