Heavy by Dannika Patterson. illus. by Davilyn Lynch

Using a rescue centre as a parallel for the burden women carry, this story promotes doing one thing at a time, so as not to be overwhelmed and burdened by tasks that women in particular take on. The word, multitasking is taken apart as the women in the rescue centre add another animal to the burdens they are carrying. The picture book makes a conscious effort to be anti-multitasking, promoting instead a calmer life, where all these things we take on are of little importance.

Heavy strives to be a positive children's picture book about women and girls who over generations and all levels of society are expected to do many things. The book earnestly promotes living a lighter life, where just one important thing is the focus of each day. 

A family of very strong, positive women run the animal rescue centre, but even here they load themselves, carrying more animals than need be carried.

Nina is very aware of them carrying a polar bear or boa constrictor, and piling other things on as well. These burdens are with them all day, as they pick up children from school, do water aerobics, shop and care for the children at home. Nina sees them struggling, so decides to do something about it.

She invents a pile of burden saving devices to enable the animals to get around without being carried. Now everyone has more time to share with each other and pursue the important things in life, family.

Themes: Family, Responsibility, Humour, Animals.

Fran Knight