A beginner's guide to the periodic table by Gill Arbuthnott
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781472908858
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Non fiction, Science, Periodic table. From
atoms and neutrons to elements, the big bang and all things between,
this detailed book gives all ninety two elements a place. With all
of them listed along with their name, symbol and atomic wight,
children will be able to use this as a research tool with ease. On
each page are usually several elements listed with loads of
interesting facts, plus some funny drawings illustrating the theme.
One page that intrigued me was the page on Iron. This is spread over
a double page, and includes not only its atomic number (26) and
symbol (Fe) but also information about the Iron Age and how
blacksmiths were considered almost magical as they could smelt iron
out of rock. Also on the page is a funny account of King Arthur
drawing the sword from the stone, and a paragraph about rust, and
then blood. Did you know that iron is important in our blood,
because it makes sure the oxygen is carried by the blood. It is all
described on the page on iron. Similarly, the information about
silver, atomic weight (47) and symbol (Ag) has a tale about how the
expression silver lining of a cloud came about, as well as
information about silver and mirrors. Or thalium, atomic number
(81), symbol (Ti), once able to be purchased across the counter as a
rat poison, was used to kill people, and Agatha Christie used it as
a plot device in one of her books. A book to dip into and surprise
people with your fount of knowledge or something to read when
swatting for a test, or simply a research tool, then this book has a
place in school libraries, classroom or home bookshelf. I enjoyed it
- not something I'd expected to say with a book such as this.
Fran Knight
The ugly duckling by Frank Loesser
Ill. by Nathaniel Eckstrom, performed by Justine Clarke. Scholastic,
2014. ISBN 9781742836447
(Age: 4+) Picture book, Folk tale, Performance With a CD inside the
front cover, this version of Hans Christian Anderson's Ugly
duckling, gives a fresh approach for use in the classroom. The
duckling is taunted by its peers for being ugly with its stubby
brown feathers, and so hides away all winter long. But come spring
when the swans on the lake appear, they see that the duckling is one
of them and has now shed its stunted brown feathers to reveal glossy
white feathers, gleaming in the sunlight. As such the duckling is
now accepted eagerly by all the others.
This story of not judging a book by its cover, of not rejecting
something because it doesn't look like all the others, will find
resonance amongst children discussing appearance, bullying, judging
and so on. In an astute teacher's hands this book will be able to be
used as part of discussions within the class where problems have
occurred about someone's appearance. The moral of the tale is
obvious to all, and children will rejoice at the duckling's eventual
acceptance.
Eckstrom's illustrations are richly detailed using a variety of
media to achieve his finished work. He uses oil paint on canvas as
well as pencil drawings which he fills with colour, while adding
images which are digitally created to produce mixed media images
which will ensure children will look at every detail. Again a reader
will have fun working out just what he has used and why, in creating
his pictures. It adds another level of interest for the reader to
contemplate the choices an illustrator has made in producing the
work that he does.
Fran Knight
Siblings: Brothers and sisters of children with disability by Kate Strohm
Wakefield Press, 2014. ISBN 9781743052334
(Age: For adults) Highly recommended. As with any Wakefield Press publication, the
standard of production is excellent and the subject matter is
relevant and interesting. This book makes an important contribution
to the discussion of siblings who grow up with a brother or a sister
with a disability. Often their circumstances are overlooked as
families struggle together to cope with many daily challenges. This
is a revised edition of Kate Strohm's self-help book, first
published in 2002. The author comes from such a family situation and
her personal story along with the stories of others makes for a
reassuring and informative read. She has apparently given workshops,
incorporating her experiences and suggested strategies for
supporting these individuals, around Australian and overseas.
The book is considered an aid for both families and professionals.
Following 'sibling stories' Kate addresses future strategies,
providing a sense of connection with others in the same situation,
and discussing ongoing support needs.
One forgets how many adjustments have to be made in life when you
are a sibling of a person with a disability, a chronic illness or a
mental health issue. The stresses can last a lifetime. So this book
is valuable in recognising the problem and helping to narrow the gap
for many who have struggled without adequate support, perhaps not
realising that the support is there. As founder of the organisation
Siblings Australia Strohm advocates for continued support services
and greater government recognition.
The book concludes with a valuable resource list, which has
obviously been updated for this revised edition. Readable and highly
recommended.
Further information is available here.
Julie Wells
Crooked Leg Road by Jennifer Walsh
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743316931
(Ages: 12+) The four friends in this adventure have met previously
in Jennifer Walsh's earlier book, The Tunnels of Tarcoola.
The formula is sure to be a winner for young readers; there is
plenty of action, the setting is local and distinctly Australian,
the friends have a great rapport with each other, the villains are
quite disagreeable and the atmosphere is decidedly frightening and
mysterious. Walsh's writing style keeps the reader guessing and
anticipating. The lives of four friends become veiled in secrecy and
fear as one of them, David, is apparently kidnapped from the back
lane of his house.
A few days previously, Andrea had witnessed a strange van parked in
the same spot and she suspects a drug deal. A new boy to their
school seems to be connected to all this as well. Numerous
presumptions and risky decision-making follow, taking the four
friends to an isolated part of the bush, where their loyalties are
tested under dangerous circumstances. Crooked Leg Road is a fast paced and enjoyable read and an
excellent action story published at a time when young teenagers are
looking for good crime and mystery stories.
Julie Wells
Vivian versus America by Katie Coyle
Vivian Apple Bk 2. Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471403446
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Science fiction. Dystopian fiction.
Religion. Capitalism. In this sequel to Vivian versus the
Apocalypse, Vivian Apple and her friend Harp have made it to
the city only to find that they are being hunted, labelled as
dangerous fugitives by the Church of America. They had fled from the
Church compound, leaving behind Peter and believing that they have
to reveal the dark secrets of the Rapture and the Church to the rest
of the world. They travel to Los Angeles with a band of fighters who
believe that they can halt what is happening. Can they rescue Peter
and stop the evil group behind the Church of America?
An engrossing mix of action, group dynamics and thoughtful comments
about capitalism and the part that religion plays in society, Vivian
versus America, is a book that is very difficult to put down. Vivian
and her friend Harp are great characters, who rely on each other's
strengths to get through a horrible time for each of them. Their
friendship is a highlight of the book, and it is great to see that
it plays a more important role than the romantic feelings that
Vivian has for Peter. Harp's skill in blogging and her role in
uncovering what has happened with the Rapture is awesome and
Vivian's courage and belief that killing innocent bystanders is not
OK is a central theme to the book. All the minor characters,
especially Vivian's mother and sister were really well fleshed out
and this made it easy for the reader to understand their motivations
and actions.
As one would expect in a dystopian novel there are a few tears to be
shed as people give up their lives in an attempt to overcome evil,
but to compensate, others take up the cause in highly dangerous
situations and do the right thing.
There are many moments of suspense as Vivian and Harp try to find
Peter, and work out who is friend or foe. There is an
earth-shattering climax at the end of the novel that is very
memorable.
The Vivian Apple books are great reads, exciting and
interesting, and the social comment about religion, women and a
consumer society make then stand out. Both would be very interesting
Literature Circle books that would promote a lot of discussion.
Pat Pledger
This book is gay by James Dawson
Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471403958
(Age: Senior students, adults) Highly recommended. This book is gay
and very frank. It lays out its LGBTI qualifications with its
rainbow flag colours. This is a book for LGBTI adolescents and their
friends and family. It is also a very comprehensive guide to current
social policy and knowledge although it is a British publicationand
many of the useful links are for UK sites.
This enters every area of gay life including sexuality, online
dating, nesting, coming out and the party scene. It also covers
areas of self acceptance, depression and how to avoid isolation. I
particularly liked a section on Gay saints which provides a very
strong link to gay culture. I also enjoyed the cheat sheet for
anxious year ten boys who could go straight to the glossary for
their fill of risque words.This would also be an excellent reference
and resource for senior students seeking material for assessment
tasks.
James Dawson is a YA author and an former PSHCE teacher so appears
quite qualified
to speak to adolescents. His style is easy, relaxed and witty. He is
not proscriptive or judgemental, rather he presents choices and
consequences. This is very much an approach that I feel works best
with young people.
Because of the nature of the topic and the frankness of the
language, this book may not be for all school libraries. However in
some of the schools I have worked in I would have been very happy to
shelve the book secure in the knowledge that it will be discovered
and devoured by the boys, well thumbed and never issued! I would
certainly make your school counsellor aware of this book as they
will undoubtedly wish to add it to their collection because
somewhere in your school there is a student who needs this book.
This is an excellent resource.
Michael Jongen
Gezani and the tricky baboon by Valanga Khoza
Ill. by Sally Rippin. Ford St., 2014. ISBN 9781925000740
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Africa, Baboons, Deception. Gezani is told to
take some bananas to his cousins in the next village. He dances
along with the bowl of fruit on his head, singing as he goes, but he
attracts the attention of the baboon. The baboon asks Gezani if he
can carry them for him, but Gezani declines. The baboon then tells
Gezani that he is thirsty so the boy offers to get some water for
him. Returning he finds the baboon has tricked him and eaten all the
bananas. So the boy must work out how he can trick the baboon in
return, regaining the respect of his family and community. He works
out a clever plan to have the baboon steal some peanuts from the
peanut farm and trap himself inside the fence where he can be found
by the owners.He teaches the baboon a lesson he will not forget and
Gezani has learnt a lesson about being tricked, and who he can
trust, as well as taking his responsibilities seriously.
The role of the trickster is a strong theme in African folk tales,
and this book introduces the role of such an animal to Australian
younger readers. Niki Daly's The herd boy (2013) introduces
the nature of these animals, and Night watch (2013) by Phil
Cummings includes a baboon in his array of animals on watch for
danger.
Rippin's illustrations are a delight, she has used bold colours
reminiscent of African illustrations to ensure the images of Gezani
and the baboon are fixed firmly in the minds of the readers. The
naive style with its lack of background still manages to recreate an
identifiable image of the boy and his family and where they live.
Fran Knight
Foulsham by Edward Carey
Iremonger book 2. Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781471401619
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. 'The blackness. The blackness. It
wasn't night. It wasn't night at all, it was fire. Fire! Foulsham
was on fire. Whole streets of it must have gone up by then, great
gusts of black smoke, not from the chimneys of Bayleaf but from the
fire spreading all around us.'
Clod Iremonger is trapped as a half-sovereign and the voices are
louder than ever. Is he a even a true Iremonger? Or is he his own
person?
Lucy Pennant is a clay button lost somewhere out in the heaps. Will
she ever find Clod again? And who is the strange child out in the
heaps?
Both are desperate to find each other and escape their object form
before they are forever trapped.
The citizens of Foulsham believe the Iremonger family are reigning
terror on them and the Heap Wall is quickly crumbling. Clod and Lucy
must discover who they truly are on the inside . . . and the
outside, then save the day.
I would recommend this novel to male children aged 13 and above as
some of the themes a quite descriptive and gruesome. I would also
recommend this novel to people who have read the first book, as the
story continues on from the end of Iremonger book 1: Heap House.
Edward Carey does a brilliant job of describing and illustrating the
scenes that are taking place. The novel has an extremely original
and eccentric storyline.
Jazmin H. (Student, Year 7)
My little star by Mark Sperring
Ill. by Nicola O'Byrne. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408849613
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Animals, Bedtime story. At the end of the day
when the moon rises, the stars appear and children are about to go
to sleep, the time is ripe for a soft and gentle story to be read
aloud to the child, leading them toward closing their eyes. The
rhyming lines are told using the gentlest of words, lulling the
child into a dreamy state as they hear just how precious they are to
their parents.
Each double page shows a different animal and its cub, settling down
to sleep, underlining the words in the poem. Lions, koalas, seals,
tigers, elephants, penguins all figure in this lovely book, and they
are all presented in a nurturing role with their offspring. Younger
children will adore seeing the animals and their babies, and see
themselves as part of the bigger picture of a child going to sleep.
The refrain in the poem tells the child just how precious they are
to the adult, a star.
The warm, cosy feeling generated by the illustrations adds to the
comforting lilt of the poem as it is read, and the information shown
ensures it will be read again at other times than bedtime.
O'Byrne's illustrations are entrancing, speaking of the love and
care between animals and their offspring, including in the
background of the picture many touches of the environment in which
these animals live.
A loving bedtime story.
Fran Knight
Big bouncy bed by Julia Jarman
Ill. by Adrian Reynolds. Orchard Books, 2014. ISBN 9781408305430
(Age: 3-5) Recommended. Picture book. Ben and Bella are back again,
this time they jump into another adventure, on a big, bouncy bed and
they invite their animal friends to join in. This is a fun read
aloud story that uses rhythm, rhyme and repetition to engage the
young reader.
'Mind your head! Springs go squeak. Bed goes creak. But who's that
going, "Eek,-eek-eek?" '
The mouse, kangaroo and tiger enjoy bouncing high with Ben and Bella
as the feathers, pillow slips and covers go flying. When Zebra, Dog
and Duck arrive to join in the entertainment, everyone is awestruck.
As Elephant charges into the room, he catapults the bed into the sky
and off into Outer Space. Ben and Bella fly past the planets and
finally come down in their home town.
Adrian Reynold's illustrations are bold and colourful, they capture
the children and animals' moods and express their enjoyment.
A great story for bedtime, recommended for 3-5 year olds.
Rhyllis Bignell
Regal Beagle by Vijay Khurana
Ill. by Simon Greiner. Random House Australia Children's, 2014.
ISBN: 9780857983701
Highly recommended for readers 7-9 particularly, both boys and
girls. What a delight it was to spend a few moments reading this
delightful nonsensical piece of whimsy from Vijay Khurana at the end
of a long tiring day! This is a perfect little book for newly
independent readers venturing into chapter books with a lot of fun,
easily identifiable 'goodies' and 'baddies' plus a very insightful
example of not judging on appearances alone.
When a very much loved Queen of a small kingdom dies leaving no
heir, the country is temporarily at a loss as to their next move.
Searching through long forgotten archives, the protocol is
discovered. Should the ruling monarch die without an heir, the
throne goes to the king or queen's best friend. In this case, the
Queen's best friend is Lucy - her beagle.
Despite the protestations of the conniving and clearly nefarious
Lord Runcible, who has his own designs on the crown, Lucy is duly
crowned and begins her reign with impressive success, despite being
a canine. However, Runcible contrives a dastardly plan to remove
Lucy and seize power for himself. As one might imagine, Lucy is
rescued by a most unlikely saviour - but that would be a spoiler if
I told you, so you will just need to read it for yourself.
Very much in the vein of the Dick King-Smith books (such a long-time
favourite of mine and, I know, of many children) this really is a
refreshing and enjoyable read. I think it would make an excellent
read-aloud for classes of smaller humans as well as a terrific
take-home book for those who are spreading their reading wings.
As I've said to many students over the years - often you need a
'lolly' book. A break from the intense or well-meaning texts with
layers of meaning - not that there is anything wrong with those at
all. This week, this was my 'lolly' book - sweet and satisfying.
Sue Warren
Captain Kangaroo saves the day by Mandy Foot
Lothian, 2014. ISBN 9780734415141
(Ages 3-9) Highly recommended. It's been a long, hot, dry summer in
the Aussie outback - and today its bushfire weather.
Captain Kangaroo knows what to do though, so he and the fireys
spring into action to stop this fire from becoming a 'wopper'. Even
with the local fireys, wombat, koala, emu, camel and possum
assisting this fire may still not be put out. It takes the one
person who taught Captain Kangaroo all he knows to come to help get
this fire totally under control. Captain Kangaroo saves the day is the latest instalment in
the wonderful Captain Kangaroo series. Like all of the
Captain Kangaroo books it is bursting with Australiana sayings,
catch phrases and animals and is set completely in the Australian
outback. Mandy Foot's illustrations wonderfully capture the colours
of the Australian outback while also portraying the harsh
destructiveness of a bushfire. Mandy also manages to create
beautiful scenes on every page that have more going on than first
meet the eye which lend to some wonderful discussion and early
learners comprehension questioning. Captain Kangaroo saves the day is a beautiful book that
shares its mantle with other great Australian picture books such as
Possum Magic, Edward the Emu, Bilby and the
Bushfire and Mulga Bill's Bicycle with its wonderful
Australian colloquialisms.
Steve Whitehead
The Cleo stories by Libby Gleeson
Ill. by Freya Blackwood. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743315279
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Family life, Short stories, Birthdays.
It's not often I come across a story that is so well written and
illustrated that I turn back and read it again. This is such a one.
Gleeson's hero, Cleo is an imaginative young girl with a winning
way. She will enchant the readers as they hear of her wanting a
necklace to be like the other girls, or wanting to give her mother a
birthday present in the second of the two stories. Each time Cleo's
needs are given voice we feel for her as she attempts to solve the
problem for herself. And each time this is done with panache.
Going to a friend's birthday party she hears the other girls talk
about their necklaces. Cleo does not have one and so asks her
parents for one. The answer, very familiar to many children, is to
wait for your birthday. But on seeing Uncle Tom's tattoo, she has an
idea and so solves her quest herself.
In the second it is Mum's birthday soon and Cleo has no present for
her. Mum reassures her that all she needs is Cleo, and after her
failed attempt at joining together a dish that she broke, she
resorts to exactly what Mum said she wanted with very funny results.
Both stories are filled with warmth and love, family and humour.
They are imbued with the everyday, the ordinary, the small things
that people do without them being momentous or life changing. They
are believable and will resonate with the readers.
The illustrations are just wonderful, soft, warm and comfortable.
The details of the neighbourhood, the insides of the houses, the
gardens and streets make them so readily familiar, that the readers
will recognise their own lives on the pages. Cleo's personality, the
stories about her life and the illustrations combine to make this
book one that will never be left on the shelves.
Fran Knight
Trial by fire by Josephine Angelini
Macmillan Children's Books. 2014. ISBN 9781447260820
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended.'I'm a Witch, and Witches burn'. Lily
Proctor is an accident waiting to happen. Living in Salem seems to
be the worst thing she could do to herself, as she is allergic to
virtually everything. It is always interesting to read books with
sickly heroines that overcome their allergies/diseases to fight the
evil. Lillian is an extremely powerful witch in a Salem not so
different to Lily's. Lillian has recently become sickly and is
hiding things from her sister Juliet, when she brings Lily into her
mysterious Salem. Unfortunately for Lily Proctor, the evil is a
different version of herself. Lillian is the cruel leader of this
dark medieval version of Salem, where instead of the witches being
burnt, scientists are beheaded because Lillian refuses to allow them
to destroy the wonderful world they live in.
This book is the perfect beginning to a fantastic trilogy. The
protagonist is new to the world and her new discoveries allow for
the reader to take the magical journey of learning how to worldjump.
Things that Lily finds strange about this dark Salem are the things
that make it interesting. The major difference about this alternate
universe is that magic exists. Most people, whether they are
witches, outlanders, scientists or mechanics understand the concepts
of magic and this allows for an extremely fantastical approach on a
universe we have never heard of.
I would highly recommend this book for people over the age of 14 as
there are many scenes where there is explicit violence and a couple
of moments where there are sexual implications. This book was fun to
read and makes me wish that I had some of the awesome powers these
witches have. 'Worlds collide. Magic reigns. Love Burns.'
Azriel P. (Student)
Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 by Dav Pilkey
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743625989
(Ages 7 - 13) Highly recommended. Captain Underpants series
is back in its 11th instalment. Dav Pilkey hasn't changed a thing in
the way he delivers an action packed ridiculous adventure with the
most unlikely of heroes and villains so obscure the names have to be
enormous.
The Turbo Toilet 2000 wants revenge for what happened in the
previous historically documented episode of Captain Underpants. This
villain is known for devouring everything and anything in its path
and this time it's built up a real appetite. The fate of all of
humanity is once again in the hands of our unlikely heroes, George
and Harold and their annoying nemesis Melvin Sneedly. Can the boys
once again defeat the Turbo Toilet 2000? Can they save all of
mankind from the disasters that are imminent? The Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 is a must
for primary school library shelves. The 220 pages will be devoured
by most kids quickly with the typical style of Dav Pikey book
lending to short pages and weirdly engrossing silliness. Like the
sanitized for your protection section where a graphic fight scene
takes place that is way too nasty for any children's book. 4 year
old guest illustrator and his 71 year old commentator Nana are
brought in to describe the battle in a way that will make anyone
giggle.
I thoroughly recommend the Captain Underpants series and The
Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 is as awesome
as any of its predecessors. Its style is great for a developed
reader who just loves the series to an emerging reader making the
move to novels.
Steve Whitehead
