The Amazing Jam
In her latest picturebook, Shona Shirley Macdonald serves up a gloriously whimsical celebration of imagination, music, and creative play. Following Grub, a travelling musician whose impromptu jam-making experiment unexpectedly springs to life, the story revels in absurdity while gently reminding young readers that the greatest rewards often come from shared joy rather than winning.
Macdonald’s text is buoyant and playful, driven by rhythmic language, catchy refrains, and gleeful nonsense verse that begs to be read aloud. Inventive phrases like ‘squelchadiddle doo!’ and ‘BLOOPalloopaloo!’ transform the reading experience into an interactive performance, inviting children to chant and experiment with sound. The bubbling sound effects and musical phrases create an infectious sense of movement. Beneath the humour lies an affirming message about embracing unexpected outcomes and finding new ways to celebrate creativity and friendship.
The illustrations are every bit as exuberant as the story itself. Bursting with colour, intricate detail, and expressive characters, each spread creates a fantastical world filled with flying fish, beetle-back journeys and wonderfully animated jars of singing jam. Macdonald’s dynamic compositions and clever page turns heighten both comedy and surprise, while rewarding careful readers with visual details that extend beyond the text.
Though delightfully surreal, the story remains emotionally grounded through Grub’s infectious enthusiasm and the warmth of his companions. The combination of playful storytelling and richly imaginative artwork makes this a joyful read-aloud that celebrates music, collaboration, and the pleasures of embracing the unexpected.
