Where's the Gold?

Pamela Allen (author/illustrator)

Viking, Australia: 2005

ISBN: 0670028444

Genres: adventure, picture book, poetry

Issues: values

‘Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have got'. This quote at the beginning of the book is very much a summary of this gentle story about ‘three pirates brave and bold' called Jeremy, Bellamy and Ted.

Exploring a deep, dark, damp hole on a small island, they come across ‘something scary, big and black and hairy'. Fleeing in terror, they come out into the beautiful sunshine of a golden afternoon and find that treasure is not always something that sparkles in the hand.

Allen has excelled herself in this beautifully constructed story for younger readers. The rhythm and repetition of the language gives a musical lilt to the story when it's read aloud. In a very short space of time with fairly limited vocabulary, she has managed to create a wonderfully dramatic narrative with unexpected depth - the best kind of picture book.

The illustrations wander through the prose, leading the reader from one page to the next, building tension and excitement as the character's very expressive faces convey a range of emotions. There is also a strong visual narrative taking place, adding depth to the text. Young children will be able to tell themselves or a listener the story with endless variations based upon the illustrations.