Puggle's Problem by Aleesah Darlison

Wombat Books, 2010. ISBN: 9781921633072
Pipp the Puggle was a baby echidna with a problem: his spikes still hadn't started to grow. Despite his efforts to visit each of the bush land creatures in turn to seek advice and trying to act on it, there is nothing to be done about making his spikes appear sooner to make him more like his friends. Mother echidna finally provides the best advice of all, he needs to be patient!
Darlison's simple storyline is definitely complemented by Sandra Temple's illustrations. From the end papers, which are decorated with cartoon style ants, to the simple, colourful pictures displayed on an all white background, text and illustrations are well matched and appealing. The Australian creatures depicted are simple but recognizable and their diets and peculiarities are discussed as part of this gentle tale. Revolving around themes of wanting to fit in, growth, development and change as well as promoting the virtues of practice, patience and the belief that everything will happen in good time, this could be a title to fit in with many aspects of the Junior Primary curriculum.
Jo Schenkel