Chickenpox

Chickenpox

by Remy Lai

Published by Allen & Unwin
ISBN 9781761068621

Another likeable and funny story about catching chicken pox told in a graphic novel format. Suitable for ahed 8 - 12 years, this is not only about catching chicken pox which Abby feels really bad about because now all her younger siblings have caught this contagious disease, yes, all four of them. Can you imagine what's that's like?

She reveals it is she feels bad when she finds out that her best friend was the first one to have it, in other words Patient Zero.

The illustrations also by the author perfectly capture the mood of the story with all the frustrations of someone quite literally (no pun intended) to get out of the house and away from all the squabbling. If only she could have some peace and see her own friends for a change.

The arguments and petty fighting goes on for quite a while until one day she yells, enough! They are all covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home for two weeks. Abby wonders if the itch will escape her siblingswhe suddenly she realises that being a big sister isn't all bad.

These drawings and the story show readers in a lighthearted way, with plenty of fun and highjacks what this is like from someone else's perspective and perhaps make them more aware that it doesn't; have to be like this. Having some reasonable discussions, compromises can be made. After all, they are all family.It also shows the frustrations of siblings being ill at the same time, pushing things to the limits with laughter and love.

The author

Remy Lai was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore and currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she writes and draws stories for kids with her two dogs by her side. Remy is also the award-winning creator of Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, Pawcasso, the Surviving the Wild series, Ghost Book and Read At Your Own Risk and several other books for younger ages - see the reviews by clicking on the cover images below.