Billy is a dragon: Shadow shifter by Nick Falk and Tony Flowers
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857983152.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Billy is a dragon: Shadow shifter is
the second book in the series and picks up where the first book
finished. Our main character, 10 year old Billy, is able to turn
into a dragon. His sister was kidnapped by werewolves in the first
book and Billy and his friends are searching for her.
Billy faces all the same issues as other children - cranky teachers,
bullies, teachers who are really werewolves and werewolf knights!
(Well maybe not quite the same problems as others!) His parents
believe his sister has run away and they don't know whether to be
concerned or happy (they aren't your typical parents) but despite
this, Billy is worried about telling them he is a dragon. Billy
believes he can find his sister on his own, he is a dragon after
all, but is he too inexperienced? Can he battle the werewolf knights
and win? Will he find his sister? Billy is a dragon: Shadow shifter is full of action, comedy and
adventure. It is highly recommended for boys aged 9 and older. There are
black and white images scattered throughout the novel making it an
appealing read. The text is descriptive and quick moving and the use
of different-sized fonts for adjectives and keywords emphasises what
is going on.
Kylie Kempster
Mummy goes to work by Kes Gray
Ill. David Milgrim. Hachette Children's Books, 2014. ISBN
978144921410.
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Families. Mothers. When his mother goes to
work, the narrator of this story tells us the sort of things mummy
thinks about doing with him while she is at work. These range from
being tickled, to roller skating, to cuddling and playing games.
Each is outlined on a page with bold, bright illustrations of the
curly headed boy and his dog. The reader has a little sympathy with
the child listing the things she wants to do with him, until the
last part of the book shows that she does do these things with him
when she gets home each night.
A neatly told story, first published in 2006 as My mum goes to
work, this will have broad appeal in homes and classrooms.
Readers will love to hear it read aloud, and marvel at the way the
story turns on its head, making for a funny ending. They will love
to read it themselves, thinking about how they know they are loved
at home and what they do with their parents. They will enjoy the
depiction of the lad and his dog, the focus on each page until Mum
returns, and it could open a discussion in classrooms where the talk
is about what the students' parents do with their days.
Fran Knight
Newts, lutes and bandicoots by Mark Carthew and Mike Spoor
IP Kidz, 2009. ISBN 9781921479335. ebk ISBN 9781921869792.
(Ages: 6-10)
'In a gourmet cafe by the Bay of Biscay.
The seafood buffet was well on its way
When a curried satay
Caught fire on a tray
And flambeed the moustache of a waiter named Ray!'
This is the first rhyme in this unusual book which focuses on the
multitude of ways that a particular sound can be spelt in English.
It is accompanied by a riddle - 'This creature crawls beneath the
bay, Searching for rocks and sand each day' - and hidden amongst the
rich full-page illustration is the answer to that riddle. But as the
students search they will also discover a host of other items that
have that 'ay' sound even though their spelling might be different.
In this instance they could find archway, bay, beret, birthday,
bray, buffet and more than 20 others! Each page features a different
sound combination and takes the explorer on a journey through their
imagination as they examine a trolls' lair, a magician's cave, a
circus, a castle, ski slopes and the outback.
Given the popularity of books like Where's Wally that have
even the most reluctant readers poring over pages to spot the hidden
items, this book is a winner on many levels because it teaches as
the children search and encourages them to think and discuss and
focus on the inconsistencies of our language. Also hidden on each
page is a tiny newt or bandicoot playing a lute enabling even those
not yet ready for the spelling aspect to participate.
Once the basics of letter/sound recognition have been mastered, the
most commonly used skill in determining the correct spelling of a
word is whether it looks right, and so developing visual perception
and discrimination are critical skills. So combining the elements of
rhythm, rhyme and riddle and accompanying them with complex,
colourful and quirky pictures makes this a great book that will
provide for hours of entertainment and learning. And then there is
the next one, Witches,
britches, itches and twitches.
Barbara Braxton
Lisa absolutely loves art by Sophie Norsa
New Frontier Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781925059045.
(Ages: 3-6) Lisa and her cat, Picasso, are sitting at a cafe outside
the art gallery, when Picasso suddenly runs into the gallery and
disappears. Lisa searches through the paintings of the gallery,
discovering famous artists while searching for her cat.
This is the first book written and illustrated by young artist
Sophie Norsa. While the illustrations are very clever and introduce
the reader to several important paintings and artists, the story
itself is really just there to show off the art. The text feels too
contrived and obvious. My 6 year old was also bothered by the fact
that Lisa is smiling in most of the pictures, but if her beloved cat
was missing she should be worried. At the back of the book we get to
see the original paintings, but unfortunately they are not in the
same order they appear in the book, making it harder for children to
discover which belongs on which page.
Donella Reed
Meet... Douglas Mawson by Mike Dumbelton
Ill. by Snip Green. Random House Australia Children's, 2014. ISBN
9780857981950.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. What a fabulous series this has proven
and many of you will be familiar with the titles so far such as The
Anzacs, Ned Kelly and Mary MacKillop.
Again focusing on a truly outstanding Australian, Mike Dumbelton
recounts the story of Douglas Mawon's ill-starred Antarctica
expedition with simplistic elegance. Mawson led the first Australian
expedition to the Antarctic surviving many dangerous challenges, the
cruel fate of his comrades and bravely survived against extreme
odds. In 2013 'The Australian' listed the Top 50 Australians and Sir
Douglas Mawson, honoured by his inclusion on our currency and
lending his name to suburbs and streets around the country, was
ranked at Number Eight 'for his brilliant brain as a scientist [and
for] making one of the most courageous solo journeys by any
Australian adventurer'.
However, as with all outstanding picture books, it is not just the
author's well crafted text but the astonishing illustrations which
bring this book into what surely must be a strong award contender.
Snip Green uses his considerable background in graphic art to give
the reader a powerful impression of the isolation, barrenness and
stark reality of the Antarctic landscape. By using tones of
blue/grey/white combined with uncompromising geometric patterns
Green more than ably conveys the frightening stillness of this
frozen continent. The placement of the text in framed white panels
in the amazing double page spreads allow the reader's eye to focus
on the illustration while giving the caption-like information.
Though all the 'Meet...' series has been a worthy inclusion for any
library, I think this one is undoubtedly my favourite so far given
this wonderful collaboration of text and illustration.
Highly recommended for readers aged around 8 and up - a must-have
for your library in my opinion.
Sample the book at Random
House or visit Mike
Dumbleton's webpage or see more of Snip Green's
work online.
Sue Warren
The last king of Angkor Wat by Graeme Base
Viking/Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780670077151.
Amongst the ruins of Angkor Wat, the 'City of Temples' built
hundreds of years ago by the Khmer people in the north of what is
now Cambodia, Tiger, Gibbon, Water Buffalo and Gecko look at the
ancient stone carvings and muse on what it would like to have been a
king.
Tiger believes he would have been a fine king because he is strong
but Gibbon declares he would have been better because he would have
ruled with compassion and kindness. Water Buffalo says he
would have never given up, no matter what, while tiny Gecko
proclaims he would have been a fearless warrior. And so an
argument about who would have made the best king ensues. Their
talk is interrupted by Elephant. 'It takes many qualities to
be a good king', he says. 'Strength, compassion, resilience
and courage.' He then challenges them to find out if they are
worthy by going to the temple at the top of the hill. And so
begins a race during which each creature encounters Snake and other
obstacles, dealing with them accordingly, not realising what their
decisions and actions are saying about them as potential
rulers. When they reach the temple at the top of the hill
Elephant is waiting, but rather than giving the title to the
victor, he forces them to examine their journey and learn from
it. Who will be crowned king? Will any of them make the grade?
Set against a backdrop of opulent, evocative scenes detailed in the
way that we associate with Graeme Base's illustrations, this is a
tale with a message about humility that would be a perfect adjunct
to a values-based program. Often, Base embeds either a textual or
visual puzzle into his books but this time, the puzzle is in the
meaning of the words. But even with the story told and retold
and understood, the young reader will be drawn again and again to
the elaborate, exquisite illustrations searching for the riches within,
perhaps discovering the butterfly who also makes the journey or the
author's signature. Such is Base's reputation, his fans have learned
to look for more than meets the eye.
Another magnificent masterpiece.
Barbara Braxton
I want my mummy by Tracey Corderoy
Ill. by Alison Edgson. Little Tiger Press, 2014. ISBN 9781848955387
(Age: Preschool) It is a big day in Arthur's life. Today he is
going to spend the day with his grandmother, the first time he has
been parted from his mummy. But rather than being excited, he
is very apprehensive. Even his favourite dragon onesie and his
toy dragon Huffity don't give him quite the courage he needs.
When Mummy finally says goodbye, he feels very lost and no matter
what Granny offers, he is not interested. Even though he plays along
for a little while, as soon as the doorbell rings he races off to
see if it is his mummy. But Granny, being a true granny, comes
up with a game that makes him forget his woes until...
This is a lovely picture book that explores a common issue that preschoolers face, and it's perfect for a parent to share with their
child before they leave them for the first time. The bright
pictures are very eye-catching and so beautifully drawn that you can
just feel the softness of Arthur and his onesie, Grandma and
Huffity. Who knew that a tea-towel and a feather duster could be so
formidable???
When I was school-based, the preschool was part of 'big school' and
each week the children would come for storytime, to browse and then
later bring their parents in to borrow from the special collection I
had for them that would encourage them to read aloud and begin their
child's reading journey. This title would have made a charming
addition to that collection.
Barbara Braxton
The big book of Old Tom by Leigh Hobbs
Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743318447.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Who doesn't love the TV series 'Old Tom'? The big book of Old
Tom is 5 stories combined into one huge novel-sized book. It uses
black and white drawings and minimal text to tell each story,
helping engage readers in the stories of a spoiled cat called Old
Tom. It is highly recommended for all readers due to the large
amount of images but would be especially appealing to girls and boys
aged 7+. As a teacher, I am always looking for novels to engage
reluctant readers as well as those who struggle to read. This book
will make struggling readers look like they are reading like their
peers.
In book 1, we find out how Old Tom came to live with his owner
Angela. We see how he is not a typical cat and is usually in the
middle of the trouble, not looking on from the fence! The other
stories continue to tell us about Old Tom and his mischievous
adventures - the drawings helping create the comical side of the TV
series.
Kylie Kempster
I have a dog (an inconvenient dog) by Charlotte Lance
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743317815.
(Age: Preschool) 'When I wake up my dog is inconvenient.
When I'm getting dressed, my dog is inconvenient.
And when I'm making tunnels, my dog is really inconvenient...'
But there are some times when the dog is not inconvenient and
sometimes when there is no other source of comfort, particularly as
the day draws to a close and dinner is disgusting, television is
scary and it's time to snuggle down to dream.
This is a quintessential picture book where neither text nor
pictures can make sense without the other. As we follow the
child through the day, the text is minimal but the pictures tell the
story so well, creating lots of laugh-out-loud moments as scenes
familiar to anyone with a dog, particularly a young one, are played
out with a detail that means there is no need for additional
words. This would be a great bedtime read-aloud where parent
and child could share it together, talking about their own
experiences. (My dog is inconvenient when it's bedtime and I
want the pillow but she is very convenient when we need to put the
chooks away at night!)
But as well as its entertainment value, it also has an educational
one particularly for the early reader because it encourages them to
search the pictures for clues, interpret and explain them so the
story make sense and forms a whole... Putting on my reading
teacher's hat of days gone by, I can picture myself using this
delightful book with some of my little characters who were
struggling with sorting out this reading thing. As well as the
value with the text/illustration relationship and having them talk
and draw about their own dogs, it would also help them understand
that they CAN read 'real' books just like their friends, overcoming
the negative thoughts they impose on themselves about never
succeeding. Imagine the thrill of being able to take it home
and really read it so your listener listens, not to mention having
mastered a roll-off-the-tongue word like 'inconvenient'!
One to promote to your early childhood teachers as well as your
parent body.
Barbara Braxton
Tiger stone by Deryn Mansell
Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781742032399.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Kancil is the lowest servant
currently serving in Big Uncle's house. Her teak coloured eyes claim
that she is the daughter of a bandit and the villagers don't like
the Sunda bandits. Born and raised for the first part of her life in
Sunda, Java, Kancil and her mother must make a journey from the
place where her father and brother died to where Mother's family
live in Mataram. 'When you are sworn to silence it pays to keep your
eyes and ears open'.
This novel set in 14th century Indonesia looks at a girl dealing
with the recent death of her father and the suspicious circumstances
occurring in the new village, she hates the idea of calling home.
When Kancil arrives in Mataram she is instructed that she must never
speak around anyone but Mother and Small Aunt, the slightest slip of
the tongue could easily give away the story they had created that
allowed them to stay safe with their family. This story is based on
the loose friendship between Kancil and Kitchen Boy and how they
warn the fellow villagers before it is too late.
Tiger stone is a fantastic single book, areas and characters
are clearly outlined before the story even starts. The author
doesn't have to explain everything so the story can move easily
without long descriptions of characters or places. The beginning of
the book starts with a girl names Aryani saying goodbye to her
grandmother who gives her a tiger stone necklace. A time jump occurs
(700 years to be exact) and suddenly we are given Kancil's story.
It is extremely difficult to fault this book. It's a great read for
people who enjoy historical fiction and for those that don't want to
have to commit to a long series. Tiger stone is a book that
can easily be devoured in one sitting and I highly recommend anyone
to do so.
Azriel P. (Student)
The Billy That Died With Its Boots On by Stephen Whiteside
Walker Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781922077431.
Stephen Whiteside's collection of Australian rhyming poetry is
simple and would probably appeal to junior to middle primary
students. Broken into fifteen different sections, the Table of
Contents lists themes such as Dinosaurs, Around the House, Birds and
Beasts, At the Beach and the final one contains two 'especially for
performance'. One could easily dip in and read a poem a day, all of
those on a particular theme or the entire book in one sitting. Each
section begins with a title page followed by a blank page and a
liberal scattering of Lauren Merrrick's 'paper cutout' illustrations
is peppered throughout.
Whilst I'm not convinced that children will actively seek out poetry
collections for themselves, this is nonetheless a book I would
recommend to teachers as a means of introducing their students to
some contemporary Australian poetry. A number of poems would link in
with the Australian Curriculum English as well as history, for
example, the piece about Simpson and his Donkey, whilst others could
be used as a model upon which students could base their own writing.
My personal favourite from this book would have to be Mum's
Abandoned Coffee Cups which are found, coffee untouched, all around
the house. Sadly, I relate!
Jo Schenkel
Let's play by Alborozo
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743316283.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Picture book, Music, Sounds. In teaching about the orchestra, the conductor asks the children to listen and watch as they play each of the instruments.
The first to be approached is the timpani or 'timps', the percussion section. When Sergio beats on the largest of the drums, the sound makes blue squiggles in the air and the children dance along. Over the page, Jeffrey is playing the cymbals with a little more enthusiasm than is actually required and the air is filled with bright yellow. Margueritte plays upon the xylophone with squares of different colours filling the pages following.
The next pages include trombone, tuba, trumpet, violin, viola and cello. Each of these have blotches of colour over the pages, and these are contrasted with the single line encapsulating the sound of the piccolo.
The piano comes last, and then the whole orchestra makes noise which is portrayed by a combination of all the splotches, lines and swathes of different colours already seen and the conductor keeps the whole together as he controls what is happening with the children.
This is a fun way for younger readers to be introduced to the ideas of the orchestra and its instruments as well as asking them to imagine the sound as colour. For classes where music is being discussed or the instruments of the orchestra shown, or a home where music is being played, then this book will be a wonderful adjunct to the stories being told.
Fran Knight
How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan
Hachette, 2014. ISBN: 9781444918113.
Highly recommended for ages 4 and up. This is a manual on how to
babysit a grandma, especially if you are sleeping over at her house.
Written in black type face are the generic 'rules' on what to
consider when you are babysitting your grandma and in purple font
are the more specific suggestions on what to do or say to her to
keep her happy and occupied. Naturally, each activity is one which
would be immensely enjoyed by the child and in which grandmas would
be willing to participate too. Amongst the alternatives are a trip
to the park, playing dress ups, cooking dinner (with many added
'sprinkles'), reading books and telling stories.
A whimsical and delightful story which would be enjoyed by children
and adults alike as they share precious time together, this book
contains appealing, brightly coloured cartoon style illustrations
and end papers covered in pictures which are depict photos of
grandma, the child and the dog sharing activities together. This
could prove to be a useful text when beginning units on families and
grandparents as well as 'then and now' as outlined in the junior
primary history curriculum. The girl is keen to hear stories about
her mother when she was a child. Both healthy and unhealthy foods
are mentioned, as is creating lists of indoor and outdoor
activities, two themes which could be used in health lessons. The
book also contains some direct speech so could be used in English
lessons when teaching punctuation. As a total rarity, a page related
to sign language is included and could be incorporated in lessons on
different forms of communication.
Jo Schenkel
The last king of Angkor Wat by Graeme Base
Viking, 2014. ISBN 9780670077151.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Cambodia, Myths and legends,
Elephants. Each of the four animals sitting amongst the ruins of
Angkor Wat, a tiger, a gecko, a water buffalo and a gibbon, thinks
he would have made a great king of the city, displaying the
attributes needed for kingship: strength, compassion, perseverance
and bravery. But an elephant behind them asks them to prove
themselves worthy by going to the temple at the top of the hill.
Each heads off, vowing to the first to get to the temple, but along
the way each comes across a hurdle to overcome. Each deals with
their hurdle differently, allowing the elephant at the finish line
to tell them that none of them passed the task set. Each had failed
in some way to combine all of the attributes needed for leadership.
Only one animal combines all the attributes needed for kingship and
his statues abound in the Angkor Wat ruins, as the four find when
they think about what had just happened, and look around the ruins
for themselves.
Base's illustrations are most recognisable and he puts his talents
to illustrate this legend in a way which enhances and expands the
story. Framed illustrations almost fill each double page, with
plants and animals spilling out under the text, adding a feeling of
menace when the overhang is a large snake, or compassion at the
plight of the wounded crane.
No reader can escape the beauty of this World Heritage site in
Cambodia, as presented by Base. His illustrations of the place are
stunning, the details inviting the reader to look much more closely,
seeing parallels to the story in the frames, and marveling at the
number of times elephants make an appearance, encouraging the reader
to ponder why the elephant is the king of the beasts. A page of
information about Angkor Wat completes the handsomely presented book
which will be a delight for readers of all ages.
Fran Knight
Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman
Viking, 2014. ISBN 9780670077427 pbk. ISBN 9781743480717
ebk.
(Age: Yr 4+) Like tens of thousands of other young lads in Australia
in 1914, the first shots of what became known as The Great War
(fired 100 years ago today), sparked a sense of adventure in fifteen
year-old Frank Ballantyne. Having just lost his mother and currently
helping his father find water and fix wells on others' properties,
he is keen to find a more interesting life. 'Who wouldn't want to
choof off to distant exotic places, give a pack of mongrel bullies
what for and have the sort of experiences you just didn't get in the
Cudgegong district?' But his father is adamant - they will not be
joining the rush. Not just because Frank is too young, but because
his dad had promised his mum that it wouldn't happen. And so, with
their loyal horses Jimmy and Daisy, they continue to do vital work
but it's not war work. Until, one evening they unwrap a beautifully
decorated box which contains a white feather, the symbol of
cowardice . . .
Amidst the plethora of books being released as the centennial
commemoration of World War I gets under way, Morris Gleitzman has
written a most sensitive story about a boy and his horse and the
bond between them as they join the newly-formed Australian Light
Horse Brigade and travel to Egypt. With a light hand and occasional
splashes of the laconic Australian humour for which our soldiers are
renowned, Gleitzman takes the reader through the war through the
eyes of Frank. There is the death of his father, his friendships,
his first confrontation with conflict, his self-doubt, his
experiences of harsh military discipline, his unrequited love for
Joan, daughter of she who sent the white feather, and above all, his
bond with Daisy. Frank has an adventure in the desert campaigns of
Egypt and Palestine but it is not the one that he imagined back in
Cudgegong.
But the end of the war does not bring the end of the story. There is
an inscription on a memorial in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens that
reads, 'They suffered wounds, thirst, hunger and weariness almost
beyond endurance and never failed. They did not come home.' This is
quoted at the beginning of the book and raises the flag that this
story might not have a happy-ever-after ending and it's for this
reason that we, as teachers and parents, might need to be prepared
for emotions and questions from young readers, maybe even offering
some guidance as to who should borrow it. Knowing that this is a
real story and thousands of horses suffered an unimaginable fate,
even if Frank and Daisy themselves are fictitious, may prove
difficult to handle for some, particularly those like Miss 10 who is
in the horse-crazy stage. Loyal Creatures began in 2012 when Gleitzman's friend Michael
Morpurgo, author of War Horse asked Gleitzman to create a
performance piece as part of the program accompanying the opening of
the stage version of War Horse and as he learned more about
the Light Horse, he knew it had to become more than a 20-minute
piece. This is a wonderful tribute to a part of our war history that
is not as well known amongst our younger readers as the ANZAC legend
and it has a significant place amongst the resources that we use to
help them understand about this period in Australia's past and how
it continues to shape our present.
Lest we forget.
Barbara Braxton
