Unfortunately for everyone, Chatterbox by Margaret Wild and Deborah Niland isn’t the only children’s book in existence called Chatterbox. This isn’t the creepiest children’s book image I’ve ever seen but it’s up there.
The Australian, contemporary picture book called Chatterbox is a very satisfying book to read aloud and my kid just loves it.
Deborah Niland has made a great job of illustrating the characters, and I especially like that she’s drawn a very modern Nana — not your stereotypical Nana with her blue rinse and pearls. In fact, she doesn’t even have wrinkles. The main difference between the Nana and the mother is that the Nana wears glasses.
The story taps into that very common dynamic where you can’t wait for your baby to start talking. But when she does, it feels like she’ll never shut up.
STORY STRUCTURE OF CHATTERBOX
SHORTCOMING
Max, the big brother, is impatient…
DESIRE
…for his baby sister to talk.
OPPONENT
Daisy is the opponent as she just won’t talk.
PLAN
Max, along with the rest of his family, try to get her to repeat things. They say things slowly and take her to all sorts of interesting places but she just won’t copy anyone.
BIG STRUGGLE
The big struggle scene is when Daisy suddenly spews out all the nonsense that’s been repeated at her.
ANAGNORISIS
By the look on Max’s face, he regrets wanting Daisy to talk.
NEW SITUATION
Now she won’t be quiet.
