Marvellous Marvin

There is so much to like about this picture book, Nadia Lim’s first book specifically for children. Based on a true story, Marvin is a chick, rescued at egg stage and enabled to hatch by well-known New Zealander, Nadia Lim.

Nadia tells Marvin’s story through short, simple, rhyming text that engages the reader from the start. She uses humour, repetition, warmth and questions, e.g. “Can you make a guess?” It is easy to tell that Nadia is completely invested in “marvellous” Marvin, and indeed by the end of the story, this reader was too!

Beautiful illustrations by Fifi Colston match the story. Fifi has proven ability to bring book characters to life and she has done it again with wee Marvin; the expressions on his face and poses in his antics, are priceless. Colours are soft and realistic. Complementing the story on each of the end pages, are photographs of Marvin with Nadia and her family around their farm in Arrowtown.

All of the profits from Marvellous Marvin go to support HUHA (Helping You Help Animals) and Garden to Table (teaching children about growing, harvesting and preparing food). Go buy a copy!

Tiitle: Marvellous Marvin

Author: Nadia Lim

Illustrator: Fifi Colston

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 9781775437246

RRP: $19.99

Format: Paperback

Date of Publication: December 2020

Ages: 3-7 Years

Reviewer: Vickie Humphries, Librarian, Mount Cook School, Wellington

How are you recommending this book? Highly Recommended

Opening sentence: The hens had laid some pretty eggs, but if the truth be told, they then forgot to sit on them…and those eggs are getting cold!

You can buy this book here