Casey Keys and her powerful sneeze! by Meg Riley. Illus. by Garth Cochrane

For young children familiar with allergies and sneezing, this debut picture book, Casey Keys And Her Powerful Sneeze, will offer some fun and familiar moments especially because Casey has the most powerful sneezes ever. As recipients of the Little Book Press Mentorship Program funded by the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation, both the author and illustrator have successfully collaborated to provide an engaging, colourful and brightly presented narrative.

The skilful rhyming text is vividly enhanced by striking illustrations that magnify both the intensity of Casey’s sneezes and the delightful chaos they unleash.

So many things
the whole day through
make Casey sneeze-
ACHOO! ACHOO!

 Suds and bubble in the bath…
a pigeon feather
on the path…
a pinch of pepper
on her lunch...

the scent of roses in a bunch.

Casey feels so heartbroken by all the mess her sneezing has caused that she decides to sail away on her own. Out on the open sea, she enjoys the freedom to sneeze as loudly and as often as she likes. But she cannot help missing her friends and family back home. How will they come together to help her finally learn to manage her sneezing problem?

This delightful tale is sure to delight early years readers with its humour, playfulness and gentle fun.

Themes: Allergies, Sneezes, Family, Friends, Humour, Solutions.

Kathryn Beilby