The Bomb product reviews

The Bomb is a delightful picture book about a young lad who wants to make the biggest splash with the best water bomb ever. We follow him as he talks to his Nan, asks everyone else how they do the perfect bomb and tries them all. Eventually his Nan reminds him that was is important is for him to find a way that works for him, his own unique way, a good reminder that sometimes what works for everyone else might not work for you. There is just one rhyming verse in the book, repeated a few times, but that helps it stand out from the rest of the book as he tries to pluck up the courage to leap. The story was lovely and sweet.

The illustrations are lovely, there's a two page spread that showcases the diving boards and it looks like so much fun that I wish something like that would exist nearby (sadly I don't think OSH would ever let it stay up). I like the range of characters we see and I love the pohutakawa trees peppered throughout the pages. Make sure to pay attention to the inside of the covers, the front has some lovely little snapshots into the young lad and his Nan's life, the back cover shows the results of his final bomb. Look out, as well, for the wanted posted on the inside of the back cover, and then go back and see if you can find the character (an added element is always fun, it encourages re-reading).

A delightful book and easy to see why it won in its category.