Emma Memma: Twirly Tuesday by Emma Memma

A board book for lots of little fingers to touch, hold and clutch with impunity, while singing, dancing and signing along with the energetic Emma Memma. Entertainer Emma brings music, dance and singing to the attention of little readers, enhancing the forms of communication they are familiar with and broadening their experiences.  Waffle the wombat watches as Emma and her friend, Elvin sign ‘twirly Tuesday’ then show him what to do. Emma goes first, standing on her toes, as she counts one, two three and sets her body twirling. Elvin next signs ‘twirly Tuesday’, then sets his body in a twirl, twirling his hands around and around.  BB Butterfly comes along, showing her twirling style, fluttering as she twirls. The cheeky goats, Go and Go, then make an appearance, using a tree stump to twirl around. Waffles tries to copy the twirl, but as his burrow is very narrow, he must do it carefully and slowly. He sees the goats having fun through his window and decides to join in the fun. He asks Emma for help in working out how to twirl and she shows him that he should bend his knees, jump and twirl. He practises this method and soon the whole group is twirling together in Twirly Tuesday.

Bright, fun filled pages will greet young readers as they open this book. The signing is clear and neatly incorporated into the story, and readers will want to practise the new words, especially when linked with the movements shown in the book, encouraging younger readers to get up and dance.

Another in the books about Emma Memma will be eagerly received. Easy to hold, durable and colourful, this is an entertaining and informative book for the very young.

Themes: Aslan, Sign language, Communicating, Music, Dance, Humour.

Fran Knight