If I had a kangaroo by Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Alex Barrow

I'm happy that, thanks to many wonderful teachers in my school district, I now have an audience for the longer, more complex picture books that seem to be predominant in publishing now. Still, I'm always delighted when I come upon a book that's pitch-perfect for toddler storytimes and this was an unexpected treasure.

The story begins with cheerful rhymes on an Australian landscape with boldly colored animals set against a white background shading into pale blue. The next page jumps immediately into the imagination, showing a simple drawing of a bright red kangaroo, a Black child tucked into her pouch, bouncing across the page. The kangaroo wears a yellow backpack, matching the yellow hat worn by the child, and the words "Oh if I had a kanga.... roo" bounce across the page.

The kangaroo and child bounce through the book, eating veggies, getting measured for new shoes at an athletic store featuring a plus-sized store mannequin, through the neighborhood delivering mail, and through the rain. The story finishes cozily with the child snuggling into their bed and dreaming of the Australian landscape, along with all their friends tucked into kangaroo pouches.

The art is blocky and simple, showing round faces, a variety of skin tones, and some variety in body types and sizes as well. The narrator and friends' clothing adds pops of color to the art, and there are simple details to find as well as little cozy touches with the friendly kangaroo.

Besides the brisk, brief rhymes and blocky, colorful art, what really makes me excited about using this in storytime is the opportunity for lots of motions and, of course, lots of jumping! Kids can move along with the story, bouncing, throwing balls, zipping on a scooter, delivering mail and more. There are a few Australian phrases, but they are clear from the context, like a game of Cricket, and are also defined in a brief glossary tucked into the opening information on the book.

Verdict: It may be a little tricky to pick this up, as it's an English publisher and not always in stock in the US, but it's so much fun that it's worth a little digging. There's a whole series, including titles featuring a dinosaur, sloth, and vampire bat, and they are very reasonably priced. A great choice for storytime. (Incidentally, If I had a unicorn does exist, it's just listed oddly on Baker and Taylor).

ISBN: 9780500652688; Published 2022 by Thames and Hudson; Borrowed from another library in my consortium