Title: The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter
Author: Chris Cochrane
Illustrator: Indre Ta
Publisher: Hawes & Jenkins Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-63784-023-8
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Reviewed by: Carol Davala
Pacific Book Review
In The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter, author Chris Cochrane has written a charming story for children which teaches a valuable lesson about inclusion and diversity. Here is a creative and imaginative narrative which focuses on an unusual creature that draws the curiosity of two youngsters, and encourages their kindness and friendship to grow.
Sisters Olivia and Caroline know that someone has been tidying up their room, but they don’t know who it is. The beds have been made, shelves dusted, and toys put away. Mom suggests it might have been a friendly elf. Dad humorously suggests it was the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter. The girls think Dad’s just created an imaginary character, but when they venture outside with him, he claims to have seen the Dinglehopper hiding behind the trees. As they head down a tree lined path, they catch glimpses of this enigma, but the elusive creature keeps disappearing.
The first time we see the creature he is clinging to a tree. Brown and furry with a white-tipped tail, he’s dressed in lime green pants with suspenders. He seems a cross between a Koala bear of sorts, with Yoda-like ears, and the Furby toy of the ’90s. The Dinglehopper’s looks initially scare the girls, but Dad assures them that the world is filled with all kinds of different-looking beings which deserve our acceptance.
The threesome follows odd shaped footprints into the wooded landscape and finally meets the Dinglehopper. He introduces himself as Buznard Archebald, but the girls decide to call him “Steven.” Surprisingly they realize he is more funny than scary, and is known to keep a berry in his belly-button for an extra snack. The girls thank him for cleaning up their room and invite him over to their home for dinner. There, he proves to be a fun and courteous guest. Bidding him farewell as he heads back to the woods, they know he’ll visit again.
Indre Ta provides delightful illustrations to compliment Cochrane’s imaginative, heartfelt story. From the details of the girls’ bedroom, awash in shades of purple, lilac, and lavender, with a moon and star-studded wall and a giraffe astronaut within the nightscape mural; to the natural landscape dotted with color and critters, Ta creates a truly magical world. While green is certainly predominant in the woodland settings, as sunlight dapples through the trees the pictorial is enhanced by the likes of a blue spiky feathered bird, bees and butterflies, cute little rabbits, and an inquisitive bear peeking out at the activity. Whether animals or humans, Ta includes facial expressions that bring these characters to life.
This is a wonderful book to be shared by an adult and child. With a gentle narrative that ignites a positive message and showcases beautiful visuals, Cochrane’s book entertains and educates at the same time, with a sweet and memorable tale.
