Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408867549
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Halloween. Monsters. In the midnight hour,
Vlad has called a meeting of all the scariest creatures including
Frank K. Stein, Sandy Witch, Virginia Wolf and Mumford the Mummy. It
is the night before Halloween and they need to practise their
ghoulish faces, scary moves and chilling sounds. Unfortunately,
their faces wouldn't even scare a daddy long legs spider and Vlad is
extremely disappointed. Just as Mumford's eyes are popping out of
his head, there's a knock at the door and a cute white rabbit and
her lawyer Frances Foxx appears. Vlad shuts the door in their faces
and tries to get his monster friends to focus. When all of the
rabbit's critter friends pound on the door and show their amazing,
scary steps and frightening screams, Operation Kiddy Scare is set to
be the best Halloween yet.
A delightfully, dark and spooky picture book, Fright Club is
an exciting story to share, seen from a different point of view.
This is a scarily good Halloween read-aloud story.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Creatures of Dryden Gully by Aunty Ruth Hegarty
Ill. by Sandi Harrold. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781760151997
Recommended as a contemporary Aboriginal story. Themes: Differences;
Self-acceptance. Aunty Ruth Hegarty is an Aboriginal elder and
storyteller to the younger generation, and although this isn't a
Dreaming story it reflects the style of telling a tale with a lesson
that can be learned from the animal characters in the tale. The
young Joey in the story, who is still not a proficient jumper, wants
to explore the world of Dryden Gully. A deer family visits the home
valley and Joey notices the skill they share in walking on all four
legs. A little bit of 'movement envy' ensues and Joey ends up
wandering away from home and into potential danger. Eventually he
learns that being different is not better, it is just different.
Interestingly Aunty Ruth defines the Australian animals as 'Natives'
and the introduced deer as royal gifts to the country and hence they
are named - 'Royals'. No environmental statements are made about
their introduction, and their status appears to stem from their
stature and the impressive antlers on the Male stag's head.
Carolyn Hull
How to be happy by David Burton
( Text Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781925240344
(Age: Suitable for Year 12 and mature Year 11's) Themes include:
Bullying; Sexual orientation; Teenage hormones and angst; Coming of
age; Friendships and Family relationships. This book explores the
memoir of David growing up and being confused about his sexuality,
life and his future direction. It tracks his life from early primary
school through to going to university. Along the way he meets
interesting people that help shape who he is. The content is very
confronting but is written in a way that is easy to read.
David Burton is a twenty-seven-year-old writer from Brisbane, best
known for his theatre work.
Wendy Rutten
Not your usual bushrangers by Peter Macinnis
Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN: 9781760065690
Highly recommended. Many years ago my dad handed me a copy of Frank
Clune's The Wild Colonial Boys saying 'You should read
this.' - a common occurrence as we shared both a literary taste and
an interest in colonial history. From that moment I was hooked well
and truly on the exploits of the Australian bushrangers.
I never imagined that I would have the privilege of reviewing of
latest book from super-clever-clogs and fascinating
writer/historian/scientist Peter Macinnis. And yes, I would describe
him as such even if he wasn't a friend of mine!
Peter takes us on a journey through the entire span of Australia's
bushranging history, rather than the focus being on just a few well-known names. While I have been to Ben Hall's grave and to Melbourne
Gaol where Ned Kelly was hung and Thunderbolt's Rock, amongst other
significant sites, I have never heard of most of the rogues and
scallywags Peter writes about in this entertaining account. And that
of course, is the entire point.
Beginning with those early convict 'bolters' (who perhaps aren't how
we would now define bushrangers) right up to some youths in the post
Great War years trying their hand at the 'game', Peter traces the
development of the Antipodean highwaymen (and women!) with an
engaging and often humorous slant.
As always, his work is meticulously researched and in his searching
he has uncovered many interesting original documents and reports
which examine the contemporary records, attitudes and consequences
of all stakeholders.
And naturally, although the bushrangers are the focus of the book,
the reader also gains a real insight into colonial Australia from
the time of European invasion to the early 20th century.
While primarily aimed at an adult audience, this is a book which
would sit easily in a school library as a reference point for those
units dealing with Australia's history since the White colonisation
as it is written in a very accessible style.
I can highly recommend this history for both your school library and
for your own personal reading. Definitely a winner and worth bailing
up your local bookseller!
Sue Warren
Rainforest Rumble by Knife & Packer
Wheelnuts! Craziest Race on Earth. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN
9781743627266
(Age: 7-9) Themes: Car races, Rainforests. The crazy Wheelnuts are
back for another wild race, a rainforest rumble where their driving
skills are tested against vicious creepy crawlies and mad monkeys.
There's Nutz and Boltz driving their high-tech robotic car, Gurgle
and Burp and their gas powered Flying Nappy vehicle, the Dino-Wagon,
The Supersonic Sparkler controlled by two fairies with attitude, an
unreliable 1930's Bugazzi and two pop stars ready to race in their
super stretch limo. Warren Wheelie Wheelnut wealthy race organiser
has outdone himself as this race promises to be the most difficult -
filthy weather, fierce animals and impassable obstacles.
Once again, Knife and Packer have delivered the most extreme
conditions and of course, this is a race without road rules or any
safety measures. There's an attack from flying flamingos, scary
vultures, huge toucans and even a Giant Condor, testing the driver's
skills, while Warren's loser brother Wipeout Wheelnut tries to ruin
the competition. The action is fast-paced and the racers' skills are
constantly tested. Luckily the ingenious gadgets added to their
vehicles aid them in their battles with the crazy monkeys, a huge
spider and a giant anaconda
Colourful, bold backgrounds, gross cartoon animals and outrageous
scenes, Rainforest Rumble is a great addition to the Wheelnuts!
series.
Rhyllis Bignell
Let it snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
Penguin, 2015. ISBN 9780141349176
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Short stories. Winter. Romance. Christmas. A
blizzard stops a train carrying Jubilee to her grandparents in
Florida and results in her walking through the snow to a Waffle
House where she meets a stranger who gives her a delicious kiss.
Meanwhile, three friends struggle through the snow to the Waffle
House to see the cheerleaders who have also alighted from the train
and this results in old friends discovering that they are more than
friends. Addie's early morning shift at Starbucks is the beginning
of her realisation that not everything is about her and brings her
back to her true love.
These three highly popular and skilled authors ensure that these
stories are not only very readable - I finished the book in a couple
of sittings - but also give insights into the meaning of love and
friendship. Maureen Johnson's The Jubilee Express provides
the initial winter setting of a blizzard that is so bad that the
train has to stop. It also introduces Jubilee Dougal, who finally
comes to terms with the fact that her boyfriend is not especially
caring when she meets Stuart who takes her home to make sure she is
OK during the storm. On the train, Jubilee also meets Jeb who is
desperately trying to make a meeting with his girlfriend, Addie and
his story is told through Addie's eyes in The patron saint of
pigs by Lauren Myracle. Of course, fans of John Green will
immediately pick up this book, just to read a story by him and A
Cheertastic Christmas Miracle is funny and touching and very
memorable.
This is a heart-warming and thoughtful collection of short stories
about teen love. While each story can be read as a stand-alone the
interweaving moments add to its appeal. The strong characters,
humour and touching moments make it a great read and a lovely
prelude to the Christmas season.
Pat Pledger
A Very Wombat Christmas ill. by Lachlan Creagh
Lothian Children's Books, 2015. ISBN 9780734416285
Deep in the Australian bush, Wombat and the other animals prepare to
celebrate Christmas.
Wombat has been very busy. He's made the Christmas pud (from Nanna
Wombat's beaut recipe), decorated a tall ghost gum, sparkly as can
be, and while the other animals sleep, their stockings all hung by
the campfire, Wombat begins to wrap the presents and check them off
his list.
OH NO! He's missed one! It's too late to shop. Wombat desperately
tries to make something nice for Emu, to show how much he cares, but
nothing works out the way he'd like.
Then Wombat has a brilliant idea. This special Christmas present
should make Emu smile, all year.
With lots of colour and simple, rhyming lines, this delightful
little book will make every young reader, eagerly anticipating
Christmas, feel VERY warm and fuzzy.
J. Kerr-Smith
Christmas Cooking and Craft for Kids by Cherise Pagano
Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781760060510
(Age 8+) Highly recommended. A beautifully presented book, Christmas
Cooking and Craft for kids contains some very appealing
recipes for Christmas, some easy to make and some more difficult
requiring adult help for children. It is illustrated with fabulous
photographs that are eye catching and greatly add to the magic of
the book. It is sturdy with an easy-to-use ring-binder. A contents
page is available at the beginning of the book and is easy to skim
for independent readers, but it is the photos that will lure the
reader into reading the recipes and then trying them out.
As an adult I was most taken with the Savoury Santa Bags (filled
with pork and beef mince and herbs), Pistachio and cranberry cookies
and the Christmas Cake muffins, but children will be fascinated by
the Stained glass biscuits that can be hung as Christmas
decorations, toffee apples and Puffed snowmen and Crispie Christmas
trees. The recipes are organised into sections with the ingredients
that are needed, and then what is to be used for the decoration. The
full page photographs give a clear visual representation of the
final product, and make the decorating easy to follow.
At the back of the book is a section on Christmas crafts, including
Reindeer hands, reindeer masks, with a template to match, Wall of
surprises Advent calendar, Frosty the drink cup snowman and Nesting
Santas, complete with a template. Each of these has a list of things
that are needed to make the craft and step by step instructions.
This would make a great Christmas present - perhaps one to give
before the festive season. It is certainly one that I will keep and
use.
Pat Pledger
Reindeer's Christmas surprise by Ursula Dubosarsky
Ill. by Sue deGennaro. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760113025
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Christmas, Reindeer, Presents, Customs. On
Christmas Eve, Reindeer is lonely: his family lives a long long way
away in the north where it is cold and snowy. His Christmas is quite
different as it is warm and sunny and his friend Dog is at the
beach. Reindeer's Christmas Tree is up, there are yummy things on
the table, but he is sad. He decides that he will visit his friends
and take them their presents. He visits Cat in her tree giving her a
Yo Yo, he visits Dog at the beach, giving him his blow up octopus,
and then visits Guinea Pig, giving her some roller skates. Each time
when asked to stay and play with their new toy, Reindeer declines,
going back home.
The lovely illustrations highlight the colours of Christmas, the
greens of the tree and reds of many of the presents and decorations,
and children will thrill to see the presents under the tree. Many
Christmas customs are presented for children to discuss and admire,
while the cute reindeer does many things which will endear him to
the reader.
Dubosarsky's words invite the reader to turn the page to see how
Reindeer's problem is resolved, while the repetition in the text
encourages children to predict the next lines, and read the text
along with the person reading. The rhyming couplet at the end of
each four pages will excite children wondering what present will be
opened, and the question on the last page ensures much discussion
about their own presents to come.
Fran Knight
The night before Christmas by Clement C Moore
Ill. by Amanda Brack. Lothian, 2015. ISBN 9780733635045
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Christmas, Lego. Subtitled, 'a brick story',
the image on the front cover should give readers a clue about what
is inside. Opening the book, they will laugh to see the poem, A
night before Christmas, illustrated in Lego. Legend has it
that the poem was first written by Clement Clarke Moore for his
children on Christmas Eve in 1822, and was published the following
year. It has been published in many forms ever since, a firm
favourite in the USA, but I have not seen it done in Lego.
Children will thrill at the uses to which this iconic building block
is put. I wanted to grab some and try the reindeer and the Christmas
Tree myself, but instead marvelled at the skill at putting together
these little bricks to make it look so much like Santa and his
sleigh trawling across the sky.
The whole poem can be found here for
those who wish to look more closely at this poem, originally called,
A visit from St Nicholas, and classes may like to find other
versions of the poem in their libraries to compare with this new
edition.
It is great fun to work out what pieces were used for each page and
how the pieces fit together to make a scene. Children may also like
to see just how many non Lego pieces have been used in the book.
Fran Knight
Black Cairn Point by Claire McFall
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471404870
(Age: Yr 10-12) A real page turner. Themes include: psychological
thriller, supernatural, pagan ghosts, truth, teenage relationships.
A great psychological, supernatural thriller. The setting is a
remote beach in Australia where there are propertied ruins of a
pagan existence. Five friends set out on a weeks holiday to have a
break from school and the mundane life at home. Little did they know
when they set off that not all of them would return!
The story weaves between the current day and happenings on the
secluded beach. In the present Heather, who is in a psychiatric
hospital, is trying to prove what she believes happened on their
five day ordeal. The only person who can verify her story is Dougie
who is in a non-induced coma.
All starts well with the teens enjoying the trill of an adventure.
Tensions are raised after a hike where 3 of the teens find what they
believe to be an ancient brooch from a Pagan burial ground. This is
when the two stories start to differ. Heather has one supernatural
explanation of menacing evil while Dougie's version is quite
different. What is not under suspicion is what happened to their
friends.
Wendy Rutten
The Great Galloon and the Pirate Queen by Tom Banks
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781848124509
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Comedic Adventure; Fantasy; Pirates.
This book is described in the Publisher's notes as being 10% Furry,
30% Pirate-y and 60% Adventure-y! Or, as this reviewer might
suggest, it is 100% rollicking piratical Bizarre-ness!!
This book is the third in the series involving the Pirate team from
The Great Galloon, which is a Pirate vessel which sails aloft
using an array of Balloon and other 'lift' devices. It is 'manned'
by an equally bizarre assortment of sailors - some of whom defy
description. The adventure ensues because the Captain desperately
wants to rescue his fiance from the clutches of his renegade
brother. Little does he know, but the circumstances are not what
they seem and the adventure places them all in danger. Younger
characters (with personality traits that make them quirky and
endearing) have pivotal parts to play in the rescue of The Great
Galloon and all who sail on her.
The author has created a peculiar fantasy world, with its own rules,
and unusual features, but has also created a curious array of
language usages that involve some 'creative' word constructions eg
'agognished'. Some of this may cause some problems for some younger
readers, however this book may appeal to the precocious young reader
who is looking for a challenging and exciting book and is still too
young for more mature books.
Recommended for readers aged 8+.
Carolyn Hull
Mango and Bambang the Not-a-Pig by Polly Faber
Ill. by Clara Vulliamy. Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781406361438
(Age: Middle primary students) Highly recommended. Mango Allsorts is
a little girl who is often left on her own. She is very busy with
her hobbies but her life changes when she comes across a frightened
tapir lying in the busy city road. With her usual determination and
courage Mango convinces Bambang the tapir (not a pig) to return to
her apartment and their friendship blossoms.
The book contains 4 stories describing Mango and Bambang's
adventures. This unusual but charming couple help and support each
other as true friends do. Mango demonstrates the importance of
friendship and being true to yourself while Bambang learns to be
strong and not let fears overcome him.
The book is beautifully illustrated by Clara Vullimay's (the
daughter of illustrator/ author Shirley Hughes) many endearing black
and purple drawings. The cover has instant appeal and will attract
readers from 7 to 10 years.
The large amounts of illustration with the text will help newly
independent readers and makes the book more attractive to children
who are beginning to read longer stories.
This book is the first in a series of collaborations by Polly and
Clara featuring Mango and Bambang. They talk about their work in
this short film.
I highly recommend this book for middle primary students and look
forward to the next in the series.
Jane Moore
King of shadows by Susan Cooper
Rollercoasters series. Oxford University Press, 2015 (1999). ISBN
9780198328889
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Shakespeare, London, Acting. Nat
Field an American actor wins a place in the prestigious Company of
Boys, which means he is to spend a month in London rehearsing and
then putting on a Shakespearean play in the new Globe Theatre. He is
excited to meet his fellow actors and the family with whom he is
staying. But when he is transported back to London of four hundred
years before, he is transfixed by the differences in the city and
its inhabitants. Readers will be too, as Susan Cooper builds an
image of Shakespeare's London with a meticulous eye for the detail
of life four centuries ago. I found myself re-reading paragraphs to
wonder at the times, and I was amazed at the ease with which she
detailed the theatre scene, the acting, writing and watching of
these plays in Southwark. And all done within the context of a
mesmerising story, one which will hold readers' attentions to the
end. In Elizabethan times, Nat is befriended by Shakespeare himself
and is at his side when brought into the presence of Queen Elizabeth
herself, after appearing as Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream.
But chapters in the twentieth century have Nat in St Guy's Hospital
in London, struck down with the plague, something unheard of in our
time. In hospital he is a figure of mystery, given his accent and
living habits, redolent of Elizabethan times.
A rivalry with one of the other boy actor has Nat saving his life
through a technique for stopping choking used in his own time, and
so he is seen as a witch by some of the crew.
All the threads come together in an exciting conclusion to this
wonderfully informative and inventive tale.
One of a new OUP series called, Rollercoasters, the books
are reprints of exciting and challenging books, ones which OUP
supports with teacher notes and resources, encouraging their use in
middle school. Classes or individual students reading Shakespeare'
Midsummer Night's Dream or his sonnets will have their
interest piqued with their inclusion in this story.
Fran Knight
The book of Australian animals by Charles Hope
Wild Dog Books, 2015. ISBN 9781742033891
(Age: 7+) Australian animals, Non fiction. Subtitled A
collection of amazing facts about our marvellous wildlife,
this will be a winner amongst primary children who love pictures of
animals and collecting facts. The book plunges the reader straight
into the first major fact about our animals, that Australian has
been separated from the rest of the world for millions of years and
so is home to quite distinct species not found anywhere else. With
this explanation followed by one telling the reader about a mammal,
each double page thereafter is devoted to a specific animal, with
wonderful illustrations of that animal and a brief text.
A wonderful book to dip in and out of with an expansive index
showing the way to get information about animals and a detailed
glossary of terms the children will come across, the book lacks a
contents page which I found odd, as this directs people to what is
inside the inviting covers. Children will learn quickly to use the
index critically and so increase their range of research skills.
Each of the three groups of mammals, marsupials, monotremes and
placental, is presented after each other, with no main heading to
point out that this section has arrived. But that said, the
illustrations are amazing, the information presented in an
interesting way although I found the circles with different animals
from around the world may confuse younger readers. Used with
guidance this book will be a useful addition to the school library,
and children will love to turn the pages to look at the array of
Australian animals unique in the world, and come to some
understanding of why they are so different.
Fran Knight
