Alfie in the Garden by Debi Gliori

Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408839515
(Age: Preschool) Alfie Rabbit is helping Mama-Bun in the garden. But his world turns from real to imagined as he peers through the leaves. Now he's in the jungle! He's a lion on the prowl, an elephant spraying water from his trunk, and a little bird flying home to his nest . . . to have a nap with Mummy! Alfie's imagination is bigger than his backyard!
This is a beautiful book for preschoolers that takes the child into the backyard jungle of their home. Just what is hiding in amongst all those bushes and flowers that are at eye-level for the young child? Debi Gliori's beautiful, distinctive illustrations open up a new world that could be really useful in getting our littlest readers to start exploring the world of creatures even smaller than they are. The soft colour palette, the curved lines of the insects - even those with heart-shaped noses - and their gentle expressions take away any threats so the reader sees this as a friendly world, although there is always the need to share a word of caution especially in Australian gardens.
A great read-together for the very young reader.
Barbara Braxton