Working on the principle followed by chocolate manufacturers, who allow new workers to eat as many sweets as they want, inducing a revulsion of chocolate, young Amy cures Pamela's obsession with pears.  Before the happy conclusion to Pamela's manic behaviour, she intimidates and outwits every person who stands between her and the fruit, even wriggling through a wombat hole to reach the object of her desire.  Pamela, by the way, is a cow, and the incongruity is the basis of humour in this rollicking nonsense tale.  Pamela's species is not mentioned in the text, rather illustrator Whatley revels in the contrast of the big block-shaped Friesian and the  apprehensive human pear-eaters.  Diary of a Wombat by the same team has been very successful.  Similarly, this will be a treat to read to groups of preschool children with its rhythmic, repetitive text, bold depiction of expressive characters and general silliness.  The front cover illustration is irresistible.

Kerry White is compiler of Australian Children's Books, a Bibliography Volume 2 and 3 and is a major contributor to The Source

Tags: jackie french & bruce whatley