Ill. by Janine Dawson.Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781743467299
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Flight, Working away from home, Mining,
Families. A situation that affects many families in Australia, where
work is to be found many kilometres from their homes, the fly-in
fly-out dad is represented with clarity in this timely book. When
Dad comes home, the narrator envisages his life away as a superhero,
complete with superhero suit emblazoned with a capital D. He lives
in a donga, drives a huge machine, has meals cafeteria style, eats
with his co workers, some of whom play jokes on him, but above all
works hard, sometimes having to work in the mine at night to get the
job done. It is a life away from his family so the week spent at
home is frenetic, as he joins in with all the things he misses in
the weeks he is away. He helps hang the washing, reads the children
stories, listens to their tales of what has happened to them while
he has been away, but each few page we hear the narrator wishing Dad
could stay. The wistfulness adds a level of sympathy to the story
and children reading it will feel with him as he watches his father
leave again at the end of the story.
The illustrations playfully underline the life the family leads with
Dad away, but when he is home, the boy's imagination soars and the
pictures are funny and poignant, reflecting the tone of the story.
The family's cohesiveness is obvious to all readers, as the
illustrations show them doing things together and the emotional pull
of the images at the end of the book as Dad readies to fly out
again, cannot be ignored.
This book admirably reflects the diversity of Australian families,
one many children will not have come across, but reading this will
now have a greater understanding of the lives lead by some of their
peers.
Fran Knight
Time for bed, Daddy by Dave Hackett
University of Queensland Press, 2015. ISBN 9780702253812
(Ages: 3-6) Recommended. Author and illustrator, Cartoon Dave
presents a bedtime book with a twist - we are used to stories about
children getting to bed (eventually!) but this one is about a little
girl getting her daddy to bed. He manages to capture the special,
playful relationship between a father and child beautifully and
preschool children will find the premise hilarious - putting dad to
bed! Dad tries every trick to prolong bedtime - he isn't tired, he's
busy playing, he doesn't need a bath, can he have a horsey ride
first?, are there monsters under the bed?, how about a story?, and a
song? ...just one more snuggle? In addition, the little girl tries
all her tricks to get daddy to bed - bubbles in the bath ('That gets
Daddy in every time'), jokes at dressing time and funny voices at
story time. Parents and children alike will find the cartoon
illustrations humorous as the role reversal is perfectly
illustrated. Daddy is playful and childlike: splashing in the bath,
shaking with worry over the monsters under the bed and cuddling up
to his teddy as he falls asleep. The look of reluctance on Daddy's
face as he is 'helped' to his room (carried, pushed and pulled!) is
one that all parents will recognise.
The dialogue and narration is simple and realistic with key words
highlighted and enlarged, to make for fun expressive reading. This
will really appeal to pre-schoolers' sense of humour and they will
love the bright cartoon illustrations. This is sure to be a hit at
bedtime, especially when it is dad's turn to read!
Nicole Nelson
The hush treasure book: stories, poems and pictures from your favourite storytellers
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112790
(Age: 5-10) Warmly recommended. Collection, Short stories, poetry,
Music, Hospitals. The Hush Music Foundation aims to bring music into
children's hospitals, helping children cope with the stress of being
away from their families, in a strange place. Begun by Dr Catherine
Crock, she collected a number of musicians together to donate their
time and abilities to produce a series of CD's. These are now
augmented with a book of short stories and poems, written and
illustrative by well known Australian authors and illustrators.
Several of the stories include medical themes designed to make
children laugh. The elephant bird by Tohby Riddle makes its
appearance early on in the book, making the readers laugh out loud
at the strange story. After this is Alison Lester's remarkable Flying
home, which will carry a child back to his home before he goes
to sleep in hospital. The long shadow by Bob Graham evokes sympathy for a dog
nearing the end of its days, loved and protected by hits owner,
while My shadow by Karen Briggs and Paul Seden takes the
reader outside to playing with his shadow.
Several longer stories will pique the interest of older readers, Ghost
motel by Michael Camilleri and Jackie French and Grandma's
treasure by Victoria Rohan and Jane Tanner, while Shaun Tan's
enigmatic Ward will have children reading and rereading to
develop a sense of what it is about.
This collection with a music CD tucked into its back cover will help
children in hospital sit and read and be engrossed in a story or
poem, music or illustration, allowing their minds to seek another
place during their stay.
I loved Nothing to be scared of by Doug Macleod and Craig
Smith, reading it as possums scampered across my roof, and the last
offering in the bookFree to fly by Bruce Whatley, evoking the
peace and freedom of being outside. Each offering in this book
presents another place where children would like to be if only for a
little while, away from where they must be for the time being.
Fran Knight
Stay with me by Maureen McCarthy
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743316887
(Age: Young adults) Recommended. Stay with me is Maureen
McCarthy's most recent novel in her growing list of publications for
young adult girls. A comprehensive novel that explores the topical
issues of partnership abuse and violence, it examines the question
many ask: 'Why doesn't she leave?' McCarthy's addressing of this
sensitive and profound issue is a timely reminder for young people.
The detailed narrative builds tension steadily until the reader
fears something . . . anything . . . might happen. Tess is stuck in
an abusive relationship. Living in fear, on a farm in the Byron Bay
hinterland with Jay and their three-year-old daughter Nellie, Tess
knows any attempt by her to escape her violent partner will be the
most dangerous thing she'll ever do. Against her older sister's
wishes, seventeen-year-old Tess had chosen to leave her own
fractured family four years previously, in favour of life with an
older man and she has not communicated with her family since. An
unexpected meeting with a couple of strangers enables her escape
home to Victoria, the only place where she feels she can hide.
However any reunion with her siblings is likely to be fraught given
the circumstances of her departure from the family fold, and the
long road trip gives her pause for reflection on the reception she
might receive at the end of the journey. Coupled with this is the
ever-present threat that Jay will discover her whereabouts.
While the issues of abuse are not overt or too graphically
portrayed, the inferences and threats of danger are still strong.
McCarthy's characters 'are real' and I enjoyed the emotional
connections she portrays, especially the relationship between little
Nellie and the adults who surround and care for her. With some
issues still to be resolved, perhaps a sequel is in the planning.
An easy to read narrative that deals with issues of domestic
violence, this novel is recommended for young adults.
Colleen Tuovinen
Abigail by Catherine Rayner
Little Tiger Press, 2015. ISBN 9781848956469
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Giraffes, Humour, Counting, Africa.
Abigail loves to count. She begins to count the spots on the
ladybird, but it climbs under the leaf. She begins to count the
stripes on the zebra but it moves away. She begins to count the
spots on the cheetah but he runs away. And the leaves on the tree
disappear as zebra eats them. Ladybird suggest she counts the
flowers in the vast plains and the friends begin. But zebra and
cheetah are not very good at it, so Abigail must help them. At first
they say lots and many to describe the number of flowers they see
but with Abigail's patient help begin to count the flowers. But they
are stopped when night begins to fall, but when they look up they
see a sky full of things to count.
This is a lovely story of friendship as the animals help Abigail
find something to count even though they are not very good at it,
and she in return patiently helps them succeed. This story
reiterates the skill of counting and shows the reader how important
it is. It also differentiates between a precise number and the words
which describe groups of numbers. The background of the plains of
Africa is stunningly presented and children will be amazed at the
diversity of flora and fauna shown with so clearly with simple
watercolour images. They will be delighted at the surprise page near
the end and marvel at the size of the giraffe. I love the trees with
their typical flat underbellies, especially as used on the
publication page adding another level of humour to this delightful
book. Rayner is a Kate Greenaway Medal winner (2009) and her books
with their lovely watercolour images have always intrigued me.
Fran Knight
Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760110277
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Gardening. Environmental protection.
Conservation. Humour. Astrid is smart and pretty and a favourite
with all the teachers. Hiro is rude and resentful and always in
trouble. They meet at the shopping mall when Astrid is dressed in a
lobster costume and Hiro is working gathering shopping trolleys.
They give each other superhero nicknames - Lobster Girl and Shopping
Trolley Boy. When Hiro is assigned to Astrid to help her in the
school garden that she is trying to get going, he doesn't recognise
her and begins to get to know Astrid only as Lobster Girl. But the
path of love is not easy.
This is a very funny, but also thought provoking book that tackles
some big themes in an easy to read way that make it quite difficult
to put down. Astrid is the perfect girl but can be quite annoying
about her belief that she knows best for everyone. Hiro is smart but
lives to make trouble at school. When the two get together, Astrid
learns not only about gardening and how to make things grow, but
about tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, realising
that not everyone has the same aspirations to be good and go to uni
that she has. The secondary characters in the book are also very
well rounded. I found the blossoming of Astrid's mother after
finding out that her husband was having an affair and kicking him
out a great take on a marriage break-up. Hiro's grandmother too is a
wonderful character and her garden is one I would like to visit.
The beliefs of the mayor and Astrid's science teacher about what
they want their community and school to be like clash with Astrid
and Hiro's attempts to beautify their part of the city and Astrid's
crusade for the environment. Wilkinson is able to introduce (by way
of very funny footnotes) lots of information about protecting the
environment and the difficulties that campaigners face when they are
trying to sway public opinion, not to mention lots of hints about
growing vegetables and community gardens.
This is a feel-good book, with a romance that feels real and plenty
of humour to keep the reader laughing until the end. It would also
be a great novel for a literature circle or a class text as the
themes of protecting the environment, disengagement from school, the
responsibilities of local government and tolerance for others'
beliefs give ample opportunity for discussion and thought.
Pat Pledger
Tashi series by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Allen and Unwin, 2015. Tashi and the Golden Jawbone. ISBN 9781925267020 Tashi and Giant Squid. ISBN 9781925266993
(Ages: 6-8) Recommended. Based on the Popular Television Series.
Tashi has been a much-loved character since 1995, when mother and
daughter Anna and Barbara Fienberg published their first junior
novel. Flying Bark Productions has taken the wonderful stories,
special characters and created an animated series for ABC3. These
colourful new stories showcase the bold graphic designs from the
animations.
Each story begins with the explanation that Jack's parents have sent
him to stay with his cousin Tashi and they are caught up in magical
adventures in a fantastical land inhabited by unique creatures and
evil villains, trolls, giants or witches. Of course feisty Lotus
Blossom is there to help the boys in the difficult situations that
they always seem to find themselves in.
In Tashi and the Golden Jawbone the annual Storyteller's
Competition is being held and the prize is a huge golden shark's
jawbone. Jack's story of the box factory impresses the villagers,
however, all Tashi can think about is wanting to experience
something new, exciting and dangerous. Desperate to steal a tale
from Tashi the storyteller, the Baron captures the boys. After
escaping from the Baron and avoiding capture by the bandits, the
boys run into Baba Yaga's house. She is delighted and sets about
making boy stew. With the help of an old Instamatic camera, they
escape from the witch and avoid the Baron's clutches. After an
encounter with a white tiger and a little help from the Thunderdove,
the boys are back just in time for Tashi to recount his adventures
and win the master storyteller prize.
The villagers are excited to be competing in the Annual Fishing
Contest in Tashi and Giant Squid. Jack's first attempt with
his new techno-rod and glittering lure catches a small baby squid -
a Kraken. Of course The Warlord marches in with his soldiers
carrying a gigantic Trumper eel which he claims he's caught (without
any proof.) Even though Tashi informs Wise-as-an-Owl that eels are
freshwater creatures and can't be caught in saltwater, the Warlord
wins the prize again. The boys set up an aquarium for the little
squid, not heeding Lotus Blossom's warning. When the Warlord calls
the next morning demanding that his prize is returned to him,
another chase begins. Jack and Tashi use their keen detective skills
to solve the disappearance of the trophy and Squidly is returned to
his mother, a giant squid with huge pink tentacles.
Twenty pages of puzzles, activities and games are included as well.
These stories are a great gift for the young Tashi fan.
Recommended for 6-8 year olds
Rhyllis Bignell
YIKES, Ticklysaurus! by Pamela Butchart
Ill. by Sam Lloyd. Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408839690
(Ages: 2-6) Sam Lloyd's vibrant multi-coloured dinosaurs bring to
life Pamela Butchart's rhyming picture book, YIKES,
Ticklysaurus!
All of the dinosaurs are bored and glum on a hot day in their muddy
swamp home. Brontosaurus wants something fun to happen. One of his
friends, the big, purple and yellow Ticklysaurus know just what to
do. It is time for a game of Tickle Chase, yikes! Brontosaurus is
the first to be caught and in the excitement, does a wee. Tickly's
arms reach everywhere up to the tree where Pterodactyl is hiding and
into Stegosaurus's cave. No one is safe from the spaghetti arms of
the Ticklysaurus with a tickle, tickle, wiggle, giggle each of the
friend's is found except for T. Rex. No the funny dinosaur can't do
it, so he turns to tickle you!
A humorous read aloud story for families, kindergartens and
preschools to share.
Rhyllis Bignell
Go set a watchman by Harper Lee
Cornerstone, 2015. ISBN 9781785150289
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Scout is now the grown-up Jean Louise, 26
years old, living in New York, but returning to Maycomb County, her
childhood home, for her annual visit to see her father Atticus, now
aged 72. But at heart she is still that fiercely independent Scout,
the much loved character at the centre of To kill a mockingbird,
the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee. There is the same
feistiness and tomboyishness that draws the disapproval of her aunt
Alexandra and the wider community as well - they are only too ready
to believe sensational stories of her behaviour. The scenes that
recall her childhood escapades with Jem and Hank are a delight, and
readers will share Atticus's quiet amusement at the scrapes they get
into. Hank the childhood comrade is now her suitor and the romance
between them adds an extra interest to the story.
Not wanting to reveal too much of the plot, I'll just say that Go
set a watchman is the story of Jean Louise encountering the
ongoing undercurrents of racism in the county, and finding how to
express her views and assert her own independence. She has to find
where she stands, not only with the community but also the people
close to her, her aunt, Hank her boyfriend, and most especially her
father. Go set a watchman was written before To kill a
mockingbird but when submitted for publication the editor
advised Harper Lee to concentrate on the story of Scout and Jem's
childhood during the dangerous time that the brave and highly
principled lawyer Atticus took up the defence of a black man falsely
accused of raping a white girl - it is a time of the Klu Klux Klan
and mob lynchings. This back story is only briefly mentioned in Go
set a watchman, but it is essential to understand how Atticus
became such a strong moral compass for his daughter, and how it was
that she managed to grow up not seeing differences in skin colour,
only the differences in age and experience. Fortunately for us,
Harper Lee took the editor's advice, and we now have the masterpiece
that is To kill a mockingbird.
Readers who would like more about the adventures of Scout and her
friends will enjoy Go set a watchman for a few more stories
of their childhood scrapes and to also find out what becomes of her
when she grows up. For students studying the era of black civil
rights this book also provides another level of insight into those
times. Most intriguing though is looking at this book in the context
of discussion about what makes a really good novel, and exploring
the idea of how a good story might need to be reworked to bring it
to its full potential.
Helen Eddy
The elf flute by Anna Branford
Lily the Elf series. Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781925081077
(Age: 5+) Themes: Overcoming difficulties; Learning new skills. Lily
the elf, a young and aspiring elf-poet, is given a new elf flute.
She discovers it is not as easy as she would like to master playing
it.Despite her practising she barely can get more than a whooshing
sound from the flute and this means she cannot perform at the elf
concert with her new flute. Prompted by a helpful suggestion from
her granny, Lily incorporates her flute into her poetry reading at
the concert with great success.
This is a very simple chapter book for very young independent
readers or struggling readers. It does reveal a character that
overcomes disappointment and solves problems. The adult character
makes suggestions, but the young elf acts on those suggestions
independently. Simple black and white illustrations by Lisa Coutts
are included.
Carolyn Hull
The Guy, The girl, The Artist And His Ex by Gabrielle Williams
Allen & Unwin. 2015. ISBN: 9781743319550
(Age:14+) Highly recommended. This book is impossible to put down.
It tells of the main characters Guy, Rafi, Luke and Penny - and the
reader is simply compelled to find out what will happen next.
The book uses a real life event as the basis of the plot. In 1985
The National Gallery of Victoria had purchased the work "The Weeping
Woman", by Picasso, for A$1.6 million. The theft was claimed to be
made by a group calling itself "Australian Cultural Terrorists".
After an anonymous tip-off to police, the painting was found
undamaged in a locker at Spencer Street Station on 19 August 1986.
The inclusion of letters to the editor from that time add values to
the story.
So how do these four people feature here? Guy is a world class
expert in Hacky Sack and is failing at school. A Girl (Rafi) is
overly responsible, smart and lives with, and cares for, her mother.
Her mother is tormented by the death of her son and believes in the
curse of La Llorona. An artist (Luke) has a rebellious nature and is
the one to watch, the one to buy - he just didn't care. The girl
(Penny) used to live with Luke and has a young son, Joshie. She
keeps hoping they will get back together.
The lives of Rafi, Penny, Luke and Guy intersect on one night in
Melbourne - and their lives are changed forever.
This is a book about love, madness, art, grief and making mistakes.
The story, heart-warming and heart breaking, is so beautifully
written that the reader really cares about the characters and what
will happen for them. This book also urges the reader search the
internet to find out more about the heist and of La Llorona.
Linda Guthrie
The Last Place by Michael Adams
Last trilogy bk 4. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743316740
(Age: 15+) The last place concludes the fast paced sci-fi
trilogy by Michael Adams.
The action from the first book to the last is compressed into a few
months, and the young protagonist, Danby, has by now become a
battle-hardened 'soldier' who is too reliant on uppers to keep her
going. Her judgement is clouded and she is alienating her only
companion because she doesn't want to get too close - she is so
focussed on the fight with Jack (now a hive mind) - she has lost a
lot of perspective.
It's an interesting challenge to try to maintain sympathetic
identification with such a person, but as the novel progresses, we
see maturity and experience working on her in a positive way.
This book is best read immediately following the first two. It would
appeal to middle secondary school students who enjoy immediacy of
action and a fast story.
Anne Veitch
Amulet Keepers by Michael Northrop
Tombquest bk 2. Scholastic Australia, 2015. ISBN
9781760150389
The Tombquest series follows the model of Scholastic's previous
offerings with an interactive game promoted in association with the
books. Fans of this series will need an interest in all things
related to mummies and Egyptology and be comfortable with the dark
and depressing atmosphere of an old London cemetery and creaky
Museum.
It follows The
Book of the Dead in which Alex's life is saved by his
desperate mother using the Lost Spells of the Egyptian Book of the
Dead. Unfortunately Death Walkers are awakened at the same time and
his mother disappears along with the Lost Spells. Having defeated
one of the Death Walkers in New York and learning about the
mysterious Order, Alex and Ren, his best friend, head to London
where strange things are happening.
Fortunately Alex's cousin Luke has been sent along to attend an
athletics camp as he needs to save them from some suspicious thugs
before they leave the airport and continues to turn up at random
times throughout the book fortunately at a critical time to disrupt
the enemy.
With missing persons, the disappearance of Dr Ardit, their contact
at the British Museum, a mummified cat which comes to life, amulets
with magical powers, and strange happenings at Highgate Cemetery,
the adventure continues.
Alex is solely focussed on finding his mother and takes off on his
own whilst Ren frightened and cautious is keen to learn more from
the museum before taking on the Death Walkers and the not so old
mummy of British tomb raider Captain Willoughby. Both are in danger
and it is only by working together that they are able to succeed.
Personally this is not a series I will be keen to continue reading
as I am neither a fan of Mummy mysteries nor have I been able to
develop a sympathetic affinity for Alex, the main character and his
guilt laden single minded behaviour.
Sue Keane
Under My Skin by James Dawson
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN: 9781471402968
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. 'You have changed me so much and, here's the thing: I needed to change. Before you I thought I was weak scared and uncertain . . . You made me see I was wrong. You made me realise I could do things I never thought I could do.'
James Dawson writes teen Horror with great skill and this book is no exception. It is difficult to put this book down as the writer skilfully draws the reader into the sinister and terrifying world Sally encounters.
Sally Feather is 17 years old. She is shy and lives with parents who keep her world cloistered and safe. Sally gets straight A's in school and has a beautiful singing voice. She finds High School to be a complete nightmare. She's not an A-Lister, a Hot Jock, or a Band member, she belongs to the waifs and strays. Sally wants more. Inside Sally is a wild child looking to escape.
Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo? A tattoo can be a very special secret for a shy teenager. This story has Sally, one afternoon after school, finding herself in a Tattoo Parlour and leaving with a truly beautiful American pin-up girl on her lower back. The girl is sexy, daring and dangerous and Sally's life will never be the same. Then the reader meets Molly Sue. At first Molly Sue seems to be a likeable character, however some incidents begin to build an unease in the reader and take on a sinister glow.
This is more than a horror story as it cleverly layers the issues of abusive relationships, cyber bullying, friendship, jealousy, anorexia and self-image through this gripping tale. The book is engaging from beginning to end as Sally transforms in confidence, rebelliousness and strength. Her strength is never more evident than in the dramatic conclusion.
Linda Guthrie
New Boy by Nick Earls
Puffin Books, 2015. ISBN 9780143308393
(Age: 10+) Nick Earls is a popular award-winning author whose recent
novel New Boy tells the story of Herschelle, a South African boy of
Dutch ancestry. Upon arriving in Australia with his family,
Herschelle unexpectedly discovers he will 'have to confront racism,
bullying and his own past before Australia can feel like home . . .
'
A difficult task, especially as school bully Lachlan is on his case
making fun of Herschelle's name and accent. Then Herschelle's own
opinion that the school staff made a monumental mistake appointing
Max the nerd as his official buddy, isn't helping either. It seems
for Herschelle, any visions he once had of teaming up with the cool
kids at his new school are evaporating fast. Not a good start. But
undeterred, he shares his knowledge of the Australian vernacular,
all of which he has thoroughly researched on the internet even
before his arrival in Australia, but the whole experience goes awry
following a red-faced incident in the classroom. Assimilation into
life at One Mile Creek seems foiled, and he really misses his friend
Richard Frost back in South Africa. All is not lost however. Things
look up when Herschelle and Max discover their common love of sport,
and their friendship begins to flourish. However, even this
friendship will be tested after the barbeque. With consequences.
The start to Herschelle's new life in Australia is a little rocky,
but one cannot help liking this boy from South Africa who faces the
challenges of his new country with his integrity and sense of humour
intact. After reading New Boy, I am left with the feeling that
Herschelle will do just fine.
With humour, Nick Earls gently teases out many fundamental issues
faced by anyone new in a new environment: outward appearances may be
similar, but the shock of discovering a language, accent and culture
different from their own experience can leave many children
unprepared. Through his character Herschelle, Earls shows it is
possible to rise above the difficulties, to become a bridge between
the old and the new. Earls has written this story sensitively, and
his personal understanding of the trials faced by many a newbie at a
new school, or indeed any new situation, gives his narrative
gravitas. New Boy will appeal to a young teenage market.
Colleen Tuovinen
