LoveReading4Kids Says
Bob Graham uses a drive through pouring rain to tell a tender story, one of those little dramas that are such an important part of ordinary life. Francie and her mum are driving back home from Grandma’s, Francie’s baby sister kicking inside her mum’s tummy. Their little orange car shines like a beacon in between the huge trucks on the motorway, and when they pull off the road to eat their sandwiches.
Later, while they are filling up at a petrol station, Francie splashes in the rainbows made by the oily puddles and, unnoticed by anyone, Mum suddenly finds the name for the new baby. There’s lots for children to read in each of the illustrations, which are full of a wonderful warmth and humanity too.
Reviewed by Andrea ReeceAndrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece About Home in the Rain
The extraordinary touches a seemingly ordinary moment of family life, in this tender, heart-warming story.
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About Bob Graham
Winner of the Kate Greenaway and Smarties Gold Medals and the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award an unprecedented three times, Bob Graham has written and illustrated many acclaimed children’s books, including How to Heal a Broken Wing and Jethro Byrde, Fairy Child.
Bob Graham lives in Victoria, Australia, with his wife, Carolyn, a printmaker who makes landscapes out of lino and wood. They have two grown-up children, Naomi, a musician and refugee worker living in London, and Peter, an artist in Melbourne making big, beautiful, ethereal paintings in oil. They have two grandchildren, Oliver and his older sister Rosie - and to them he is "Bob" rather than "Grandad" (somehow that name has the feeling of pipes, carpet slippers and rocking chairs; and he's not quite ready for that). He reads them books (mostly other people's and, very occasionally, his own), and they just blob around and go to the park, and things like that. Like a grandad and grandchildren are supposed to do.
As a child
"I lived with my mum, dad, my older sister and my grandmother - and a cat called Smokey. There was still a bit of bush around our suburb, where I could muck about. I could sometimes ride my scooter the entire length of the street in the gutter. There were few parked cars back in those days. I read Boys Own annuals from England, Hans Christian Andersen and Brothers Grimm stories from Europe, and America provided the superheroes in comic book form: Superman, Captain Marvel, The Phantom (the ghost who walks) and even Popeye, who constantly rescued his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, from the clutches of Bluto (all it took was a can of spinach). My course for a lifetime of interesting reading was set."
As an artist
"Every time a computer graphics course is advertised in the local paper, I say, "I MUST go." But I always have something else to do, it seems. So I still use a pen dipped in ink, and chalks and watercolour, and scissors and sticky tape. Oh yes, and sometimes I tap out some words on my computer. And that suits me just fine."
Things you didn't know about Bob Graham
I like surfing and Irish music.
I like the sound of dogs' ears flapping.
I like chillies, coffee, chocolate and reading in bed.
I like Bob Dylan, babies, breakfast and beer.
I like looking out of the window, sitting in the sun and drawing.
I like skateboarders, rock and roll and interesting parcels.
I like family photo albums, train journeys and reunions at airports.
I dislike dog catchers (of dogs just having fun).
I dislike progressive barn dances.
And I dislike bullies.
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