How to build a billy cart and other fun stuff by Rob Palmer
Scholastic Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781743625743
(Age: 8+) Recommended. DIY projects. This fun book has 16 DIY
projects to make. Authored by former Better Homes and Gardens star
Rob Palmer, this will have immediate appeal to anyone who likes to
build things. The Contents page is extensive, with a How to use this
book, Tool Box, Kids' Tool Box and Safety sections. It is then
divided up into Toy, Backyard Games, Rainy Day Activities and Tips
and Techniques.
There is a range of projects that will have appeal to all children
and do it yourself enthusiasts, from the billy cart illustrated
beautifully on the front cover to the stables that go with the hobby
farm. I was particularly taken with the Dragon Shelf and the Fairy
House. There are some other very appealing projects too, like the
Skittles that would be great to take away on holidays and the box
kite.
Each project is set out very clearly with a plan, a description of
the parts needed and then step by step instructions.
This is a book that would make a wonderful present for the child who
has a parent who likes to make things. Together they would have a
lot of fun as well as having a variety of interesting projects to
choose from.
Pat Pledger
The Gobbledygook and the Scribbledynoodle by Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting
Ill. by Tom Jellett. Penguin Viking, 2016. ISBN 9780670079223
Picture book. Look! Look! It's the Gobbledygook!
He's reading his favourite mon-story book.
Comfortable in the library and using his best book-reading manners
that he learned in The
Gobbledygook is Eating a Book, the Gobbledygook is enjoying
exploring his favourite book, whispering the quiet words, shouting
the loud ones and making up those he doesn't know (just like
real-life early readers). But when one of the monsters jumps right
out of the book and begins to scribble all over the books the
Gobbledygook is very distressed. While the Scribbledynoodle takes
notice when it is told that it should not draw on the books, it then
takes to drawing on everything else in the library - the walls, the
shelves, even the librarian - until the Gobbledygook and his friend
escort it outside. And there it teaches them that there are pictures
in many more places than a book. Clouds, rainbows, puddles and snail
trails all have their own kind of pictorial magic with the day (and
the story) ending in peeking 'at the pictures we dream in our
sleep."
This is a wonderful romp in rhyme for young readers who will delight
in its tongue-twisting words, fast pace, crazy ideas and bright,
colourful pictures. Even though the Gobbledygook is a monster with
big teeth and even bigger feet, he's not one that will scare them
and you can just hear the oohs and ahs as they see the destruction
that the Scribbledynoodle causes. Even though they are young THEY
know better and will delight in telling the adult reader so. But
they will be pleased that instead of the Scribbledynoodle being in
BIG trouble, it gets redirected and through the kindness of the
Gobbledygook and his friend, it not only makes new friends but shows
them important things too. The children will be on their way outside
to see if they can see an elephant's bum in the clouds! But they
will also look at the colours, shapes and patterns in nature with
new eyes, perhaps getting inspiration for their own drawings.
This is "a magnificent, magical, colourful doodle of a day in the
life of a Scribbledynoodle". which will go from first-read to
favourite very quickly!
Barbara Braxton
Classic nursery rhymes introduced by Chris Riddell
Ill. by Dorothy M Wheeler. Bloomsbury Education, 2016. ISBN
9781472932389
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Nursery rhymes. Nostalgia. This stunning
re-release of a book of English nursery rhymes, was first published
when World War One was raging. Apparently a chance discovery in
company archives exposed the original book which is now presented
with its original illustrations by Dorothy Muriel Wheeler
(1891-1966). Wheeler is best known for her illustrations for the
books of Enid Blyton, but she also produced postcards and a series of
cards, particularly featuring fairies, and illustrated books by Anne
MacDonald. First published by A. & C. Black (bought by
Bloomsbury in 2000) in 1916 as a music book, the nursery rhymes
featured were selected and edited by L. Edna Walter, and the
harmonies were written by Lucy E. Broadwood.
The watercolours accompanying the text in the new edition which
features an introduction from Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell,
have been restored giving the classic rhymes included in this volume
a new life while the musical arrangements created by Lucy E.
Broadwood have been kept for this new edition.
This lovely presentation of a book first published one hundred years
ago, will make any Gran happy as she recalls nursery rhymes of her
childhood and can present them to a new generation. The book
includes some old favourites, 'Little Jack Horner', 'Jack
and Jill' and 'Humpty Dumpty' and with its stunning
illustrations, redolent of books from long ago, the book is aimed at
the Christmas market.
Fran Knight
Hotdog! by Anh Do
Ill. by Dan McGuiness. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760279004
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Humour. Animals. Poo. Hotdog, a super low
sausage dog has abilities quite different from those shown by his
friends. Lizzie the lizard is able to blend into the background so
much so that people cannot see her. She is most unlike Kevin the
cat, a master of disguises, who uses a variety of costumes to trick
people. Watch out for his dairy cow costume, complete with udder.
Together the three friends find a baby bird. It cannot speak and so
cannot tell the trio where it lives. But the group works out where
it belongs and set about returning it to its mum.
The journey the three friends take will involve early readers in
this easy to read chapter book. Filled with McGuiness' funny cartoon
like drawings, readers will find humour wherever they look, reveling
in the depiction of the trio and their lost bird. Their skills at a
range of things, changing nappies, karate and following a trail,
lead the trio and the bird to their destination, and all is good.
Designed with younger readers in mind, some pages are in cartoon
style, others have some words picked out in a different colour, some
words have a whole page to themselves. Numbers are often used and
each chapter is only a few pages long. All endearing to the early
chapter book reader, and combined with Anh Do's writing, makes this
one of those books which will always be borrowed and well thumbed.
Fran Knight
Timing the machine by Gary Crew
Ill. by Paul O'Sullivan. Harbour Publishing, 2016. ISBN
9781922134530
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Fantasy. Future. Science fiction. Time
travel. When Enoch becomes lost in the museum, he is at a loss to
even remember who he is, let alone why he is there, who his teacher
is, and how he was separated from his class. He questions himself as
he tries to find his way, stumbling over things in his path.
Bleeding, he begins to even question his own humanity, as he
continues to stagger on through the place. Mixed with time travel, H
G Wells' The Time Machine which the class is studying, a
museum full of strange offerings, Enoch's journey will intrigue all
readers. They, like him, will struggle to find out where he is and why
he is there. Sometimes there appears to be someone else in the room,
sometimes his hands become automated, sometimes he climbs large
staircases finding something at the top of the stairs that may
unravel the mystery. All lead the reader on, wanting to know about
the journey Enoch is taking. The mystical language, full of what if's
and why's, never offering an answer, will delight younger readers,
while O'Sullivan's illustrations will carry the reader into the
story, offering clues and hints, about what is going on.
This is a marvellously intriguing book, with writing that charms and
insinuates, complimented with illustrations that sometimes defy the
imagination, but always take the reader further along into a fantasy
world where time is immaterial and time travel an option.
I love the Escher style staircase, the hands that move with metallic
parts, the soaring Gothic building, the rolls of film on every few
pages that tell part of the story of Enoch looking for an answer. He
doesn't get an answer and neither do we, but the journey is
fascinating, and well worth the travel.
A sequel to The
visions of Ichabod X, which was shortlisted for the
Australian Book Designer's Award in 2016.
Fran Knight
Little Owl's egg by Debi Gliori
Ill. by Alison Brown. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408853795
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Little Owl is surprised and a little jealous
when Mother Owl announces there is a new baby owl inside the egg
Mummy has lain. He wants to remain Little Owl and is scared there
won't be enough of his mother's love to share with a new baby as
well.
Clever Mummy decides a walk in the woods with the egg safely in its
nest pusher will help. Little Owl is adamant: 'I'm your baby owl.
You don't need a new one'. Mummy pretends the egg will hatch
into an array of different creatures. Is it wiggly worm crawling
underground, a chocolate egg, a penguin eating a fish on the
freezing ice or a baby crocodile? Each suggestion is met with a
negative response from Little Owl, not a baby crocodile, until Mummy
suggests an elephant, and Little Owl loves the idea of water fights!
There's the suggestion of a dragon, much to Mummy's horror and a
wonderful imaginary creature who eats eighty legged snort beans and
green tubers. As they return to their home in the tree, Little Owl
contemplates all the suggestions and comes to an important
realisation that a baby owl may be the best thing of all.
Alison Brown's charming creatures take on human characteristics and
show a range of emotions as Mummy Owl and Little Owl venture through
the green woodland. Her paintings delightfully depict Debi Gliori's
humourous narrative and fantastic story. A story to share before a
new sibling arrives.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9781460752036
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Inquisition. Middle Ages. France -
History. Miracles. Dolssa de Stigata is a deeply religious girl who
believes that she must preach. Persecuted by the Inquisition and
hunted by Dominican Friar Lucien, she flees for safety and is found
by Botille, a matchmaker in a small seaside town. Hidden in Botille
and her sisters' inn, Dolssa talks to God and begins to help the
villagers. But danger stalks all of them.
This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction. Berry brings the
period and the characters to life - the deeply religious Dolssa and
her belief in God, the Friar Lucien who believes that Dolssa is a
heretic, and the three sisters struggling to make a living in a poor
inn. There is humour and heartbreak as Berry describes the daily
life of the villagers, their love and needs, as well as the horror
of the Inquisition that hangs over ordinary people and leaves a
sense of impending danger throughout the story. Botille is a
courageous young woman and her narration brings both tears and
laughter to the reader.
At the back of the book Berry gives an historical note, writing that
the historical setting is real and that 'Dolssa de Stigata's story
is based on the lives of several medieval female mystics'. There is
more information about the period and a glossary adds to the
authenticity of the narration.
This is a demanding and engrossing read, beautifully written, that
vividly describes the life and beliefs of the Middle Ages. For
readers who have problems with the ending, Berry has written a piece
on her home page: About
the Ending: Unraveling The Passion of Dolssa not to be read
until the reader has finished the book.
Pat Pledger
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Ill. by Chris Riddell. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408870600
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Myths. The story, first
published in 2009 and a World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best
Novella, has been given a new face with the fabulous illustrations
by Chris Riddell. Odd, whose name means tip of a blade, is left
fatherless when his Viking father dies after a raid. His mother
remarries but his step-father and step siblings don't want a boy who
is a cripple around. One winter that doesn't want to end sees Odd
fleeing to the forest and the old woodcutter's hut that his father
once used. There he encounters a fox who leads him to a bear that
has become trapped while trying to gather honey. Overhead an eagle
has hovered watching what was going on. Odd becomes aware that the
trio are Norse gods, who have been trapped in their animal forms by
the frost giants who have taken over Asgard the city of the gods.
Odd goes on an epic journey to find Thor's hammer and overcome the
frost giants all the while carrying a wooden sculpture that his
father had left behind.
The narrative flows along and keeps the reader engrossed in the tale
of Odd, who is a most engaging young man and whose courage in the
face of danger and disability is as strong as his resilience and
kind heart. The legendary figures of Thor, Odin, Loki and Freya are
fascinating and readers will laugh at Loki's antics and smile at the
Riddell's illustrations which make them seem life like. The
knowledge that Odd's mother had been taken from Scotland by his
father and that she had always sung songs in her own language,
provides a theme that readers will want to pursue and makes the
ending all the more poignant.
The black and white pencil drawings are stunning. The front cover
shows Frey, a frost giant and Odd, with a fabulous cut out of
icicles and when the reader opens it up there is the strange face of
a frost giant. The illustrations of the transformation of Odd from a
young boy to a tall young man and the three gods to their proper
forms are wonderful and readers will want to pore over them.
This is a story that begs to be read again and again for its
approach to adventure, Norse myths and Vikings, while the
illustrations ensure that it will be a keeper for families and in
libraries.
Pat Pledger
Twig by Aura Parker
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760157067
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Insects, Camouflage, School, Acceptance. When
Heidi, the stick insect first goes to school, she is daunted by the
number of other insects there, but is looking forward to making new
friends and learning lots.
But no one can see her. She waves her willowy arms, but even the
teacher does not see her. The cockroaches and spiders and stink bugs
and mosquitoes all walk by without noticing her. Readers by this
stage will have worked out why she is so ill defined: being a stick
insect means that she blends into her surroundings, and even Miss
Orb, the weaving spider who is their teacher does not see her,
hanging her weaving on what she thinks is the hat stand, but it is
of course Heidi. Readers will now be calling out to the class to
recognise Heidi, and watch as the story unfolds, making Heidi
noticed by the group.
And they will not be disappointed, this is a charming story of
fitting in, of being accepted by the group, but being yourself at
the same time.
The insects gather together bits and pieces to make a weaving and
one grabs a twig to put in the frame. But the twig calls out, and
people realise that it is Heidi. From then on the class works to
make Heidi stand out and not fade into the background, except of
course when they play hide and seek. And the audience will be
delighted with the solution they come up with.
Soft watercolour and pencil illustrations full of detail with draw
in the readers' eyes as they too search for Heidi amongst the myriad
of things on each page. The endpapers have a legend asking the
readers to identify what is shown, and often numbers appear on the
pages encouraging younger readers to count. This book will initiate
a great deal of fun and sharing as the tale of camouflage is played
out.
Fran Knight
Snow White - a Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan
Candlewick Press 2016. ISBN 9780763672331
The classic story of Snow White is a dark one; her mother dies, the
wicked stepmother usurps her father's love and is jealous of her.
She survives a murder attempt and briefly finds friendship in the
seven dwarfs only to be poisoned; rescue comes only at the last
minute. This graphic adaptation embraces that darkness and imbues it
with 1920s style. It opens with the 'glass coffin' scene but here
'White as Snow' lies in Macey's Christmas window display with NYPD
crime scene tape in the foreground. The detective interviews a
street urchin, one of 'the Seven' and then the story flashes back to
the beginning. The monochrome pencil and ink illustrations and foggy
winter setting effectively suggest the coldness of Snow's life
making the rare splashes of colour quite startling. The stepmother
is a famous Zeigfeld Follies star who has enthralled her father and
the magic mirror is replaced by a ticker tape machine which seems
not only to have protected them from the stock market crash but also
to emit statements about who is the most beautiful. The Seven are a
group of motherless street urchins who protect Snow when she is
alone on the streets and take her in. When the inevitable happens,
the investigating detective is the one to give the kiss and wake
Snow adding colour to all of their lives.
The visual storytelling is multi layered. A quick read with little
dialogue but the attention to detail reveals a great cast of
well-drawn characters and an authentic feel of Depression era New
York. Not for the very young but a popular story cleverly retold. Classroom
ideas are available.
Sue Speck
Rain stones by Jackie French
Angus & Robertson, 2016. ISBN 9781460753170
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Rural Australia. Drought. This newly
presented edition celebrates twenty five years since this book was
first published. With a new cover and an edition in ebook format,
times have changed, but not the charming set of stories reflecting
life for young people in rural Australia.
The opening tale, Rain stones is a story which tells of life
in rural Australia during a drought where mum must work in the town,
Helen must get tea ready while dad works on the old pump getting
what little water there is into the dam for the few sheep left on
the property. French breathes life into this scenario as Helen
strives to follow up the story about Aboriginal people bringing rain
through special stones. She asks the local historian and finds that
one of the boys in her class has Aboriginal heritage. She talks to
his father but seemingly to no avail, until both groups meet to
encourage rain. It remains a wining tale of coming together in
drought ridden Australia, and reflects values now part of that time.
In 'Afternoon with Grandma', a visit by a family to their
Grandma with Alzheimer Disease sees the two children told to go into
the garden, where they meet a girl they think is their cousin and
play with her learning all about her life and dreams. It is only
talking with their mother that they learn that their Gran's dreams
were the same.
In the third story, Ben meets Jacob at the swimming pool for lessons
and realises that he is blind, while another story concerns the
dinosaurs living in the hills around Canberra. All stories are quite
delightful, revealing the early writing of Jackie French for a new
generation of her avid readers.
Fran Knight
Rather be the Devil by Ian Rankin
John Rebus series. Orion Books, 2016. ISBN 9781409159414
(Age: Senior secondary to adult) Highly recommended. Cold case.
Crime. Edinburgh. John Rebus though retired, hasn't put away his
interest in crime or the criminals in Edinburgh. A cold case
stimulates his interest; the death of wealthy, promiscuous Maria
Turquand in a room at the Caledonian Hotel was never solved. Her
murderer was never found despite there being a notorious rock band
and all of its hangers on staying at the same hotel that night. Away
from the old 'Cal', Edinburgh's criminal underworld has seemingly
flexed its muscles when crime boss Darryl Christie is assaulted and
Big Ger Cafferty is the prime suspect.
Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox have to put aside their differences
and work together with Rebus, not always a welcome partner in their
investigations. Christie's criminal dealings are of interest to
revenue and customs, particularly possible money laundering through
his betting shops. The fact that he's been assaulted could mean he
owes money, or there may be a takeover bid for his Edinburgh
businesses.
Rebus has a history with Cafferty so is a useful go-between for Fox
and Clarke, but is regarded with distrust by the hierarchy in the
force. He can be a loose cannon which is of course, part of his
charm.
Links between the cold case, old money and a struggle for supremacy
in the Edinburgh underworld lead the investigation in circuitous
routes, but who is pulling the strings? Is Cafferty a spent force?
Is Rebus' health a problem?
Rankin gives us the old Rebus forging ahead breaking rules, putting
himself in danger in pursuit of the perpetrators of crime, and of
course Clarke and now Fox are teamed with Rebus to make a familiar
and satisfying triumvirate. And for those who love the haunts of
Edinburgh, there are descriptions of both the known and unknown of
this city, so beloved by Rebus and his creator, Rankin.
Mark Knight
Ducks away by Mem Fox
Ill. by Judy Horacek. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760158514
(Age: 2-5) Highly recommended. Ducks away is a delightful new
picture book created by celebrated children's author Mem Fox and
Judy Horacek a popular children's illustrator and cartoonist.
Mem Fox has adapted the lyrics of the popular children's song Five
Little Ducks and the five little ducks and mother duck are off on a
new adventure. One by one, the ducklings follow their mother across
a bridge in single file. Just as the last duck hurries to join the
family, a gust of wind blows it into the river below. What a dilemma
should Mother Duck stay on the bridge or fly down and rescue the one
below? Of course the ducklings all jump off the bridge one at a time
with encouragement from her and Mother Duck joins her family in
the river.
Mem Fox predictive rhyming text is a pleasure to to read aloud, she
builds the excitement and drama as one by one the ducklings appear
on the bridge and then jump into the water. There are questions to
answer, comments to respond to, fun alliterative text and an
encouraging ending. Judy Horacek's simple, bold illustrations bring
the story alive, against the white backgrounds the grey stone bridge
and deep blue river stand out. The yellow ducklings' heads mirror
their mother's they look up, back and down, a great way to introduce
directional and positional sight words. Ducks away is just right for sharing over and over again,
with a young family, in a preschool or kindergarten. With an
easy-to-read font and emphasized words written in red and Mother
Duck's repeated refrain, this book is a great start to encourage
reading. One of Mem Fox's reading commandments states, 'Read at
least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times.
Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to
learn.'
Rhyllis Bignell
The fabulous friend machine by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760277659
(Age: 4-8) Highly recommended. At Fiddlesticks Farm, Popcorn the
caring, considerate chicken is a fabulous friend; she supports all
the farm animals in many ways. She has won the friendliest chicken
award for the past three years. Popcorn enjoys wonderful
conversations over a cup of tea with the hens, brightens up a muddy
pig's day and finds time to read splendid stories to the milking
cows. She is even the lollipop chicken, stopping the tractor to
allow the ducklings' safe access across the track.
Popcorn's life changes dramatically when she discovers a small
dazzling object, a little electronic device hidden in the barn
straw. To her surprise when she pecks at the tiny envelope on the
screen, there is an instant friendly response - 'Hello.' Dropping
the green apples meant for the horse, she rushes outside with her
exciting fabulous friend machine. Soon she ignores all her farmyard
friends, even forgets about her personal safety, because she loves
the instant responses from the machine. This is a cautionary
tale,and when she invites her online buddies over to her henhouse
the situation is a difficult one. Luckily, her true friends come to
her rescue.
Nick Bland's farm animals and settings are painted with bold and
earthy tones. The font sizes and styles change to suit the mood of
the narrative and the black and white text colours stand out on the
light and dark backgrounds. Popcorn's wings artistically turn into
hands, just right for baking cakes, holding storybooks and
especially carrying around her electronic device. The Fabulous Friend Machine is a wonderful picture book that
explores a very current topic: it introduces the dangers of
communicating with strangers online. A must read story for families,
for schools and preschools, a great platform to inform children
about cyber safety and ethical practices.
Rhyllis Bignell
Word Hunters Top Secret Files by Nick Earls
Graphic Designer: Terry Whidborne. UQP, 2016. ISBN 9780702254024
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Word Hunters: Top Secret Files is a
visually engaging compendium of word origins, letters, notes,
sketches, diagrams, photographs, diary entries and historical facts.
There's a feast of information, presented in a multi-layered style
with colourful text boxes stuck down with tape, engaging font styles
and sizes, different papers, splats and splodges of ink accompanied
by Terry Whidborne's and Nick Earl's humourous comments and asides.
Familiar characters from the Word Hunters Trilogy, Mursili
and Caractacus once again ask for the assistance of twins Al and
Lexi, Grandad Al and other word hunters. Their task is to uncover
the origins of words, research the beginnings of the alphabet and
preserve the future existence of the English language. Humorously Al
Hunter reminds us of words that have disappeared - pigsney, fudgel
and snecklifter for example.
The history of tennis and cricket; the word origins for 'busk',
'guy' and 'feisty' are extensively researched and the recipes for
Hittite Bread and Cleopatra's Sweet Sesame Honey Balls are included.
Detailed instructions, diagrams and drawings are included for the
creating of dragon scale armour.
Nick Earls and Terry Whidborne's Word Hunters Top Secret Files
encourages active research skills, exploring etymology, historical
facts and figures and writing narratives. Readers can also connect
to online resources, including the Layar app, which brings up
additional digital experiences. A fun fact-filled, high interest
book just right for those readers who love the Guinness Book of
Records.
Rhyllis Bignell
