Mostly Mary and All Mary

Title: Mostly Mary and All Mary
Author: Gwynedd Rae
Illustrator: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: Egmont
Published: February 2017
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copies

I have always been a huge fan of the “Mary Plain” books and therefore I am very excited about the re-released editions with new illustrations by Clara Vulliamy. “Mostly Mary” and “All Mary” have been released so far with more books to come, and the tale of the unusual first-class bear from the bear pits of Berne is sure to be just as popular with children today.

 The first book of the series, “Mostly Mary”, focuses on Mary's time in the bear pits with her cousins and older relatives. We are introduced to Mary’s family and the people who visit her at the bear pits.  Mary always means well, but her best efforts are not always appreciated by those around her and often get her into trouble. In “All Mary” she travels with the Owl Man, first to stay with the Fancy Coat Lady and then to England where she wins a white rosette in a show. Unsurprisingly she causes chaos wherever she goes which adds to the fun. At the end of “All Mary” she is given a hero’s welcome back to Berne and is presented with a gold medal by the Mayor. These two books act as a perfect introduction to Mary and her best friend, the Owl Man. Future books focus mainly on the two of them and the adventures they have together. Everywhere she goes Mary makes new friends and leaves a lasting impression.

When Knight published their editions of “Mary Plain” back in the 1960s, there was a split between fans who embraced the new illustrations by Janina Ede and fans who preferred the old illustrations. However, the new illustrations have managed to effectively combine the best of both illustrators whilst being in Clara’s own distinctive style. Mary is still an adorable and endearing character but I think the new illustrations of her family really demonstrate their individual personalities. Additionally, there is a timeless feel to the art, making it appeal to both older and younger audiences alike. Not only is Mary a character that the modern audience will fall in love with, but her friends and family will stand out to them as well.

To see these books back in print is a dream come true, considering that they were such an important part of my childhood. These editions are beautifully produced with hard covers and gold highlights on the dust jackets. If you remove the dust jacket you find a secret message from Mary in her unique writing style. Clara Vulliamy is a brilliant choice for the new illustrations and they really are books to treasure. I cannot wait for the next books to come with Mary's further adventures. "Mary in America" and "Mary in London" will be published in October.

I would like to note that these are my own copies, but they were sent to me by Clare because we both love Mary. There was no request for a review at any time.

 

Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig

Title: Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig
Author: Polly Faber
Illustrator: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: 2015
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy

This is the first book to be released by Polly Faber as well as the first book in the “Mango & Bambang” series. It contains illustrations by Clara Vulliamy and its sequel “Mango & Bambang: Tapir All At Sea” has recently been released.

 

The book contains four short stories, starting with the time Mango Allsorts saves a tapir named Bambang who is quivering on a zebra crossing, causing a traffic jam. From then on, they get into all sorts of exciting adventures around the city, including at the swimming pool and at a concert hall. All of these stories are very entertaining and involve a lot of humour in them that people of all ages can enjoy. There are plenty of memorable characters in the cast including the titular characters themselves, the evil collector Cynthia Prickle-Posset and George, a boy who loves sweets but hates baths. Whilst Mango saves Bambang at the start of the book it soon becomes obvious that he has also changed her life for the better as well. This is a story about the value of true friends and the difference they make to each other's lives.

 

The pictures have a classical look to them that reminded me a little bit of “Milly Molly Mandy” and Bambang looks endearing in them, especially when wearing one of his beloved hats. Mango and Bambang have particularly expressive faces that tell you everything you need to know about their personalities. One lift of an eyebrow and you know exactly how they are feeling. Additionally, a simplistic colour palette consisting of purple, black and white has been used that helps to grab the attention of the reader.

 

I absolutely loved these short stories and I hope you do too. The writing and characters helped to draw my attention in as well as the fun illustrations on every page. The book is perfect for young children starting to read alone for the first time, bridging the gap between picture books and longer stories. I can't wait to read its sequel and any other books that Faber and Vulliamy have to offer in the future.