The Pocket Chaotic

by Ziggy Hanaor, Daniel Gray-Barnett (Illustrator)

A young kangaroo called Alexander lives in his mum, Nancy’s pocket. Alexander loves his mum, but there’s one thing she does that really drives him nuts. She is always putting stuff in her pocket.

Alexander tries to keep things neat, but the more he tidies, the more stuff she shoves in there. When he complains, his sister calls him a baby – it’s time to leave the pouch anyway. But Alexander loves it in there – it’s warm and cosy and smells of mum.

Then one day, it gets really bad. Twelve bobby pins, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of water, a packet of chewing gum, two bus tickets, some keys, a toy car and a cookbook all find their way into Nancy’s pouch. And that’s just for starters. Finally Alexander’s had enough. ‘I can’t take it any more!’ he shouts. ‘I’m moving out!’ So Alexander moves into the room next to his sister’s. They make it all cosy, with a furry blanket and shelves for all his stuff. So it’s just like his mum’s pouch. Almost. The penultimate spread is Alexander sleeping with all his stuff strewn around him. The final spread is Nancy clearing out her pocket with a wink. It was time for Alexander to go.

This is a heartwarming tale about a connection between a son and mother and a journey towards independence, beautifully brought to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2020

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander is a young kangaroo who lives in his mother Nancy's pouch. Actually, it's actually kind of time for Alexander to leave said pouch, but he loves it in there, he doesn't want to go.



One thing that does annoy him is all the stuff his mum keeps dropping in her pouch, bobby pins, chewing gum, all sorts.



And it becomes so bad, he leaves her pouch and settles in a room. After which Nancy starts cleaning out her pouch. Daaang, you got played, son!

A nice little story, with very cute illustrations. My name is also Alexander, so I could really identify.

Read this one to your child while cleaning out your own pockets, perhaps.

(Picked up a copy through Edelweiss)

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alexander is kangaroo. He is also a neat freak, so he is understandably upset when his mother keeps tossing odds and ends into her pocket with him, effectively making Alexander the inhabitant of a very messy purse.

Alexander's whining about the mess makes for a dull and repetitive read until a little twist is revealed at the end, but by then I had completely lost interest.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander lives in his mother kangaroo's pocket, even though his sister says he is too old and ought to move out. His mother is always throwing random things into her pocket and it's a big jumbled mess! Alexander tries to keep things organized, but with mixed results. He is so crowded in the pocket that he can barely breathe, and finally decides that he has had enough.

I loved this adorable story! It is completely hilarious from start to finish, and I loved every page!

Alexander is so funny and sweet. He is desperate to get things organized, but he is inundated with junk in the pocket. However, Alexander's kangaroo mother is smarter than you may think, and she just might have a plan for Alexander.

The illustrations add so much to the humor of the story! The funny expressions on the characters' faces are just perfection. I love the crayon art style, and the neon bright colors are sure to capture your attention.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Jeska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet picture book about a kangaroo dealing with a messy mum—the pacing in both words and art, the increasing pocket chaos, and the comedic timing were absolutely fantastic. It is sure to delight parent and child alike.

My own children are getting almost too old for this kind of book, but I will be buying it anyway ;)

[Abigail Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, this is great if you want a story that pretty much manipulates the poor baby joey into leaving the pocket he was supposed to grow in. Honestly, there's no point to the story except the mother not admitting to wanting the joey out of her pocket.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd, but warm enough to be enjoyable, this tale has a young joey frustrated at how his mother is so un-with-it, and just stuffs any old junk into her pouch to sit there festering around him. It gets to the point you think she's doing it on purpose, as he might be too much a lover of home comforts and she wants rid, but all the same it's whimsical enough to charm, for one read at least. Decent artwork really shows the polite, ordered society of the kangaroos and the mess the lad has to put up with. Four stars is slightly generous, but I think there's room in the pouch for those.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strangely appealing picture book featuring two family members who are quite different from one another. Alexander, a young kangaroo, dearly loves his mother and nestling in her pouch. His mother, Nancy, has many talents, but being neat isn't one of them. Over time, that pouch became the receptacle for just about anything his mother wanted to stash. When Alexander complains, things just get worse, even though he tries hard to keep the stuff organized. Young readers will smile at the pile of objects Nancy throws into the pouch and the increasingly annoyed facial expressions of Alexander. As the collection grows, a double-page spread showing just how much stuff is starting to bury Alexander, will spark amusement and concern for the little guy--especially when a half-eaten banana comes his way. Finally, that banana is the final straw for Alexander, and he decides to move out into his own room where he can strew all his own little treasures across his bedspread. Like mother, like son, apparently. As I read this story, I couldn't help think of all the important necessities so many of us keep in our purses and backpacks. Cleaning them out can be a fulltime job.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ziggy Hanaor’s book, The Pocket Chaotic, will appeal to many children for the novelty. Alexander lives in his mother’s pocket, as most young joeys do. It’s warm. It smells like his mother. It’s comfortable. However, it is also cluttered. He tries to keep everything organized, but his mother keeps stuffing more things into her pocket.

The illustrations in the book are cute, but that is pretty much where it ends. There is some shaming from Alexander’s older sister for the fact that he isn’t out of his mother’s pocket yet. There seems to be an intent to make the pocket purposefully uncomfortable in an attempt to kick him out.

My young co-reviewer mentioned that she didn’t like that aspect but that seeing into a fictional joey’s life in side his mother’s pouch was fun.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by Cicada Books. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review
Alexander the Kangaroo’s mum Nancy is “the best Mum in the world” - but not the neatest. This charming book, with humor to delight both children and adults on every page, is fun for all. Alexander, who is cozy in Mum’s pouch and doesn’t want to leave, grows increasingly overwhelmed by all of the things that Mum drops in the pouch. He tries to organize it, even starting a filing system! When his suggestion for a briefcase goes nowhere, he finally shouts, “I've had enough! This pocket is too CHAOTIC!” and he moves out.
When he moves to his own room, his mom lovingly sews him a furry blanket and gives him an old “mum-smelling” scarf. Tender and fun; this would be a great book for toddlers moving out of their crib, or any younger child who needs a little reassurance moving on and making changes.

[Mandy Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute. The illustrations add a lot of detail and humor to the story. It will be a great read aloud to littles who are going through transitions (to preschool, to kindergarten, for example). The resounding message is that you can do more than you imagine. That message is presented through the humorous story of a joey who doesn't want to move out of his mother's pouch. His mother continues adding bits and bobs to her pocket so he makes the decision to move out on his own. I am excited to read this aloud to my younger students as we discuss authors and illustrators as a team to make books great!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever little story about moving Jr. out of mom's pouch and into his own room.That is one smart mom. I have always thought a child should not be so comfortable at home as to never want to leave. Loved the illustrations, particularly as mom keeps adding stuff to her pouch; the ending is priceless!
I don't know if the kids will get it,...but I am sure the parents will find it hilarious! make a fine addition to a parenting section, lol.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Magan Spearing · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable story about a mom who appears to be a bit of a hoarder and a son who has had enough. As a mom who isn’t the neatest it was nice to see a mom who isn’t perfectly put together. It was also endearing to see that the mom had a reason for her actions and let her child make the choice to move on instead of her deciding for him. I love the artwork and the story.

I was lucky to get this book free for my honest review. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher.

[eClair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a young kangaroo named Alexander and how he is tired of his mom, Nancy, putting everything in her pocket! I found the art style to be simple and cute, perfect for a quick bedtime story. I think both children and adults will enjoy this book equally since the story leaves room for discussion afterward!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[The Blossoming Bibliophiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander loves being in his mother’s pouch, but can’t stand how messy she is. She’s always throwing something new into her pouch, and eventually Alexander can’t take the chaos anymore and decides to move out. With a subtle wink at the end, mama kangaroo knows her plan to nudge Alexander out of the pouch worked. I love the illustrations, and the story is fun for kids and relatable for parents!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
It was a humorous look at what living in a kangaroo pocket would be like and the ending was a nice spin.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Cicada Books for a free digital copy.

An adorable little book about organization, a relationship between mother and son, and what feels comfortable. What a very cute premise.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book for any age. My daughters found it funny, and as a mom I definitely connected with the feeling of needing my own space too. A good way to start a conversation about independence and personal space.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sneaky mom! (The big clue is what the big sister says about when she left the pocket.)

The art is very retro, and the theme would have worked well in the olden days, too. Child me, in the 60s, might possibly have loved it. Adult me saw the end coming. I don't know if your kids will like it.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story about a little joey bothered by his kangaroo mom's increasingly messy pouch. I think this one will speak more to adults than to kids?

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young joey named Alexander finds living in his mum's pouch increasingly difficult as she stuffs it full of all sorts of junk.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A baby roo lives in his mom's pouch, but he can't stand how messy she makes it. Will he be able to leave his comfortable home for something new and different?

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun read

[McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

reminds me of Bluey

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

In which a parent throws random trash at her kid instead of having a transparent conversation about growing up.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Liked it well enough. Am I Nancy?

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the last page. You have to infer the meaning, but as I read, I picked up on a few clues. I wondered if that was the case! Cute book, cute illustrations.

[Rachel Meagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my gosh, so good. Same, Alexander, same.

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to your adult children to get them to move out.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This somehow manages to be both very odd and also a little boring at times, but for me the twist ending pushed it up to three stars (barely).