Jessica’s Box

 Excerpt from review by Kathryn Edmonds in Buzz Words, April 2008

In Jessica’s Box young Carnavas seems to have grasped picture book essentials that many, more experienced writers have not: to create a well-paced, character-driven story which ‘talks up’ to the child reader and not down to them. Jessica is an immensely satisfying and realistic character and the text is minimal, appropriate and clever. Of particular note is the successful marriage of illustration and text: at her gloomiest, Jessica features in blue/grey and sepia tones with effective use of white space and minimal but ‘punchy’ text.  Carnavas, who is also an accomplished cartoonist, has achieved a lively and unique effect with his illustrations.

Excerpt from review by Lyn Linning in Magpies, May 2008

Peter Carnavas depicts characters vividly, bringing alive their actions and facial expressions with a cartoonist’s skill.  Bright water coloured pictures show Jessica making and enacting her plans, contrasting with monochromatic pages when she is apprehensive or sad – blues for night time, dull red or sepia for daytime.  Doris the dog and a nameless little green bird, who seems to be near Jessica when she’s outside, mirror her changing moods.  Plenty of white space and varied page design make the story clear and attractive.  Without a word, Carnavas has also left parents with something to think about.  Pictures show Jessica communicating with her loving family.  They clearly know about her disappointing attempts to make friends, but let her make her mistakes and learn from them!  Recommended for home, children’s, pre-school and school libraries.