Me and You by Ellie Royce

Title: Me and You

Author: Ellie Royce

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Ford Street Publishing

Published: 1^st March 2025

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Price: $27.95

Synopsis: Come and join in on a day of joyful discovery, where treasured memories are made, connection is celebrated, and sharing love is as simple as holding hands.

A gently humorous book which celebrates the simple joys of being

~*~

Have you ever had a day filled with joy and discovery? Spent a day with loved ones and made special memories you’ll treasure forever? Or made a wonderful connection simply holding hands? That’s what Ellie Royce’s book does. A grandmother spends the day with her granddaughter, from the time they get up until bedtime. They explore the world, compare what they can or can’t do, and find out that there are some things that they both struggle with.

This new picture book from Ellie Royce shows the joy in the small things in life. It is a day of fun that brings two different generations together, exploring the world around them, from breakfast, to the beach and heading out into the world to see what they can do. It’s a joyfully simple story, with layers that will mean different things to different readers. Each reader will get their own meaning and story from this, because it highlights the various ways people interact with the world.

Everything about this book is beautiful. The simplicity of the plot, with its gentle prose. The vibrant and delightful illustrations by Penelope Pratley bring the story to life, and are a reminder of older illustrations in a way. They feel classical and modern at the same time. And the story is timeless. It will remind older readers of the fun they used to have, and show younger readers the magic and fun of playing without screens and devices, because there are many ways to have fun. Many ways to enjoy life and learn about life. This is something fantastic that Australian authors are doing these days – getting a balance of the real world in their stories, or creating stories that work just as well without too much technology. This is good because it shows children different lives and ways of living.

Picture books can communicate things in unique ways, and ways that mean everyone will get something different out of them. Because everyone will see their world and what they do differently. This story is one experience, and one that might be common to others. It lets these people see themselves in a book, and also shows other readers that everyone does the things they do in their own way. It highlights the different types of families and family relationships that we have as well, encouraging younger readers to embrace the family that they have. After all, this book is about celebrating family and special bonds in our lives, and what this means to different people.

It is a beautiful story about love and fun, about joy and wonder, and the tiny things in life that make us smile and laugh. Another fantastic picture book to add to the collection.