There's Something Weird About Lena
Age 6+
Picture Books
The award-winning picture book duo behind My Dead Bunny is back with another hilarious rhyming tale.
On my first day back at school
I met a girl called Lena.
Every time she acted mean
she laughed like a hyena.
There's something a little odd - a little weird about Lena. Could she be hiding a scary secret behind her schoolyard pranks and beastly laugh? It may take a committed band of courageous classmates to uncover the hideous truth.
Creators
Sigi Hallis Cohen grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and lives in Perth, Western Australia. He has a compulsion for matching words that rhyme, graduating from writing limericks and sonnets to writing children's verse. Sigi works as a lawyer, which he says greatly alleviates the stresses of writing children’s picture books.
His first book, My Dead Bunny, was shortlisted for the 2016 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. His second book Filthy Fergal, was published in 2018. His newest title, There's Something Weird About Lena, published by Walker Books in 2020, is a follow-up to My Dead Bunny.
James Foley started his illustration career in primary school, drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. The paper only lasted one issue - probably because his class used smoke machines to fake a fire in the school hall (though it did make the front page).
In the Lion was his first book with Walker, and it was selected for the International Youth Library’s prestigious White Raven List. His latest, My Dead Bunny, was short-listed for the 2016 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.
James is in high demand as a speaker in schools and libraries across Australia. He is also an ambassador for literacy charities Room To Read and Books In Homes. He lives in Perth with his wife, son and labrador. www.jamesfoley.com.au, @jamesfoleybooks
Reviews
Highly recommended. With intricate digital illustrations to pour over, kids will laugh uproariously as the story unfolds … The detail is engrossing and adds to the fun of reading this enticing book.
ReadPlus
The humour pervades every page and James Foley’s illustrations perfectly harmonise with the vibrant text. This book bursts with anarchic humour and pokes it tongue out at conventionality.
Kids' Book Review
For a break from the lighter, pastel-shaded realm of picture books, delve into the irreverent and wonderful world of There’s Something Weird About Lena. It is a refreshing reminder that being unique and different is not as scary as it may seem, but surprising and full of unexpected wonders. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (if you dare!)
CBCA: Reading Time