Crusher, the school football hero, is coming to tea. In anticipation, Peter clears his room of childish things and prepares all sorts of exciting games to play. A delightful story that will amuse all the family! Bob Graham currently lives in Somerset with his family, but has spent most of his life in Sydney. He trained at the Julian Ashton Art School and has published a wide range of award-winning children's picture books.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
An Australian children's author and illustrator. His books include Max, which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
We read a few Bob Graham picture books this week. 'The Wild', 'Crusher is Coming' and 'Greetings from Sandy Beach'. They have a kind of nostalgic and familiar feel to me which makes sense since it turns out 'The Wild' was written back in 1986 and the author turns out to be Australian. I think my favourite was probably 'Crusher is Coming' as big brother discovers that he doesn't have to be hyper macho when his friend comes over after school as Crusher ends up utterly enchanted by 2 year old little sister.
The stories are little snippets of what feel like memories (or someone else's memories). Like art house cinema they don't necessarily have a story arc but are pleasant to read through once.
open library Aww.... Who'd've thunk? I love that at the end Mum calls the big boy Cruncher, though his nickname is Crusher... and that neither actually are a perfect fit....
I fell in love with Crusher in a by-gone era, when it was still possible to have a friend over after school, long before 'playdates' reigned supreme in the world of young children and their carers. And what a chivalrous young fellow that Basher is, setting a fine example at every turn. Even Pete cannot fail to notice.
A wonderful early Bob Graham book, I never tire of Cruncher.
Younger Peter wants to make a good impression on his football hero, Crusher, when he comes to visit. Concerned that Peter might be considered too childish in the eyes of his friend the story lovingly reveals Crusher as a soft-hearted genuine human being who is happy with the homely experience. - - -