Billy is a dragon series by Nick Falk and Tony Flowers
Random House, 2014 First bite. ISBN 9780857983053. ebk ISBN 9780857983060. Werewolves beware. ISBN 9780857983077. ebk ISBN
9780857983084.
(Age: Year 2+) Billy's life changes the day he walks into Benny's
Pet Shop because they are having special discounts for 10th birthday
presents for boys named Billy. Billy already has Bertha, an ageing
bulldog whom he loves very much, so he thinks about a fish or a
parrot. But Benny leads him towards the lizards, and even though
Billy knows both his mum and sister are terrified of them, he is
captivated by one which Benny tells him is called the dragon lizard.
Determined to know what it feels like he sticks his finger in the
cage... and it bites him. With a painfully swollen finger which
keeps swelling, they head home and eventually Billy goes to bed,
nursing it as it continues to swell, and thinking of his upcoming
birthday party. Next morning, while his finger no longer hurts, he's
amazed to discover it has turned green and grown an enormous black
claw! And that's just the start of it... even though Billy might
find being a dragon protects him from bullies, teachers and his
sister Becky, when his parents decide that dragons belong in a zoo
he has to make a critical decision as well as an agonising
discovery. Is he a Shifter who can change shape or a Plain who stays
stuck as he is?
Written at a fast clip, interspersed with eye-catching fonts to
emphasize the mood and the meaning, this is a new series from the
creators of Saurus Street written to capture the
imaginations of those on the cusp of being independent readers and
moving onto novels. Billy's adventures will appeal to all those who
can think of better ways to spend their days than being at school,
secretly wishing the teacher would disappear in a puff of smoke -
which is almost what happens when he sets her hair on fire as he
morphs into a dragon in the classroom. And his new persona is very
helpful when dealing with bullies. Who wouldn't want to be able to
do that? With the continuing popularity of characters with super
powers and creatures from the realm of fantasy, the series is a
great introduction to a new genre that ventures beyond the more
traditional witches and wizards.
Tony Flowers' quirky illustrations are more than just decoration -
they are an integral part of the story that teach as much as they
tell. While they have a cartoon-like appearance, the detail in the
diagrams and the accompanying text not only explain the story but
also provide a model for the reader to produce their own. Not only
has Tony Flowers tapped into his imagination, but he has offered an
opportunity for the reader to get inside theirs. For example, just
what does a bully look like on the inside? How else would you
explain the characteristics of a shifter or a squiff? How empowering
it would be for a child to dissect their own fears in such a way.
Perhaps there is even an outlet for the writers and drawers in the
class to co-produce their own story about being a dragon, or
persuading the principal that such a creature would be an asset to
the school.
Series are a perfect way to support the developing reader as they
already bring their knowledge of the characters and circumstances to
the sequels, providing a familiarity that helps them cross the
bridge to independence just that bit more easily. This series (with
two more episodes due in June) are sure to capture the attention and
imagination of a clientele who can be hard to engage.
Barbara Braxton
Tortoise and the hair by P. Crumble and Louis Shea
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743625286.
(Age: 4-6) Picture book. Humour. Rhyming verse. Folk tale. This
parody of the tale The tortoise and the hare will have
young readers laughing out loud as they read this take on the old
story, where Tortoise is searching for his hair to put on his head
when he plays in the local singing competition. He has passed his
audition and now needs to dress himself in the same way, but where
is his wig?
There follows a funny tale as Tortoise searches high and low for his
hairy accessory. From under the bed to under the table, Tortoise
cannot find the thing, and feels desolate that he cannot sing
without it. He finally finds it on the bus, but it slips from his
fingers. His friends join the search but at the gig, he realises
that he does not need this prop to win, his own voice will do the
trick.
A charming tale of not needing to dress in a special way to do well,
of image not being the most important thing, the rhyming verses will
bring laughter to a group listening or joining in. I love the play
on words of hare and hair, and the words used in the verses to rhyme
(rendition and audition, for example) because this tale will
increase a child's vocabulary and interest in language. The bright
illustrations add to the overall fun of the book and children will
perhaps look at some of the talent shows on television with a more
critical eye.
Fran Knight
The crystal heart by Sophie Masson
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780857982070.
(Age: 13+) Recommended for girls who enjoy romantic fantasy.
Fantasy. Fairy Tales. Forgiveness. Conflict and peace. Sophie Masson
has again used the scaffolding of a traditional 'fairy tale' to
create a magical story that explains the rescue of the Princess of
Night from her imprisonment in the Tower by a noble young man. In
true fairy tale style, love blossoms between the two - the royal
prisoner and her humble rescuer, viewed as a traitor by his own
countrymen. In a series of Parts/Acts, the story takes the pair on a
journey through magical and conflicted lands and eventually to the
peaceful settlement of long-held animosities.
The heritage of the Princess means she is half-fey (her magical
powers though have been stifled by her imprisonment) and in her
possession is a magical crystal heart which awakens in the course of
her rescue. There is darkness and light, love and vengeance,
forgiveness and a future of hope and peace woven through this
fantasy for teenagers. The appearance of goblins and house domevoys
(benign goblins) and a smattering of magical spells is sufficiently
sporadic to prevent the book from becoming too fanciful, although a
healthy suspension of disbelief is still necessary.
Although this is not 'classic literature', it is an interesting
weaving of a classic fantasy into a strong narrative driven romantic
quest. The narrative is told through the voice and perspective of
the two main characters, giving the opportunity of knowing the
motivations of both of the protagonists.
Carolyn Hull
Emilio by Sophie Masson
Through My Eyes series. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN:
9781743312476.
Thirteen year old Emilio's life, in Mexico City, is much like that
of his friends. They attend school, 'hang out' together and plan
weekend trips to the beach. Having been the man of the house since
his father's death three years earlier, however, Emilio often feels
he shouldn't join them. Instead, he feels the need to support his
mother, owner of a travel business. When, instead of his mother, his
aunt arrives at their home one evening, accompanied by a policeman,
he feels a sense of dread and discovers that his mother has been
kidnapped by a local drug gang. Against his wishes, Emilio must stay
with his Aunt and her family, whilst they negotiate with his
mother's kidnappers. With the support of his family and the American
branch of the travel company, Emilio's strength, intelligence,
resilience, love and hope all work together as he joins with the
police to try and effect his mother's eventual release.
At times, I felt the story was quite slow paced and wondered if it
was perhaps a tad too long. In hindsight, this may have been a ploy
on the part of the author, to highlight the frustration of the
protagonist at having no control over the situation and needing to
wait for the kidnappers to take the lead.
The motivation behind this series is the desire to inform children
about some of the contemporary issues faced by similar aged children
in other countries which are currently experiencing conflict. I
believe these books do so admirably and appreciate the diverse range
of cultures and issues explored thus far. The comprehensive teaching
notes are a real boon for any educator. Direct links to the
Australian Curriculum in the areas of English and Geography, civics
and citizenship and global education, the provision of background
information about Mexico and current relevant websites looking at
culture, religion and the drug war are also provided. The teacher
notes state: 'Although the Mexican drug war is the background
setting for this text, there are no explicit references to illegal
drug use or the trafficking of such drugs in the story of Emilio.'
As a result, this text could potentially be used in classes from
Year 5 through to secondary students. If a paired text were required
for upper primary classes, Deborah Ellis' books Diego's Pride
and Diego's Run could perhaps be considered, although they
do contain explicit information about drug use and creation. Inquiry
learning, information technology and tools and apps are included as
are a variety of graphic organisers and other strategies to assist
students in organising their thinking. This series provides a very
neat teaching package!
Jo Schenkel
The Mijo Tree by Janet Frame
Ill. by Deidre Copeland. Penguin, 2013. ISBN 9780143569428.
(Age: Adult and mature secondary readers) Published posthumously in
2013 like Janet Frame's novel, In the Memorial Room, The
Mijo Tree is a thought-provoking fable for adults.
Deceptively, it looks like a beautiful hardback children's gift
book, with its illustrated feature borders, minimal written text and
story which follows the eldest mijo seed.
This seed is proud and restless. She chafes at a future in the
valley, growing gradually to supplant her striking mother-tree, and
so beguiles an ill wind to carry her to the hill-top. The wind's
flagging health and the barren vista of their journey add to an
ominous tone which has already been signalled by the seed's
foolhardy vanity and pride. Janet Frame skilfully escalates tension
with the wasted opportunities the seed has to escape a barren fate
and return to her true home.
The writing is poetic and allusive. The seed is warned, 'Why, up on
the hill and over the other side flies the giant bird of thirst and
darkness whose feathers hide the sun.' Personification is also used
to embody the main characters - the seed, the wind and the goat. The
text seems to echo some of Frame's own life and experiences and
students will benefit from reading the 'Afterword' which illuminates
some of the uniquely secret writing of The Mijo Tree.
Joy Lawn
Florentine and Pig and the Spooky Forest Adventure by Eva Katzler
Ill. by Jessica Mikhail. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408824399.
Highly recommended for 3-6 year olds. Themes: Friendship, Camping,
Cooking, Crafts. This enjoyable picture book is the third adventure
for Florentine and Pig. Each story written for 3-6 year olds blends
a simple tale with craft and cooking activities. They are wonderful
to read aloud and share with this very young audience.
Florentine and Pig are woken from a deep and peaceful sleep by a
noise in the garden, is it the growling prowling Bog Mog monster?
The two young adventurers decide to catch the scary creature armed
with binoculars, a torch, hats, camping gear and of course a
delicious supper (recipes included).
Eva Katzler's descriptive text is engaging, she uses rhyming,
alliteration and imaginative descriptions with large and small font
sizes and styles that move up, down and across the pages. Jessica
Mikhail's complementary mixed media illustrations add humour and
emotion to this picture book. Jess and Laura Tilli's recipes and
craft ideas are great for parents to share family time with their
children. There's Roasty-Toasty Campfire Kebobbles and Twinkly Jam
Jar Lanterns to make and enjoy for a backyard sleepover.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Pearl Quest by Gill Vickery
Dragonchild series. A&C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781472904508.
Highly recommended for children from 7-9 years of age. Suitable for
a class read aloud. Themes: Fantasy, Quest Adventure, Witches,
Magic. RA: 7-9 years. The Pearl Quest is the final fantasy adventure in the Dragonchild
Series. Tia a young girl who has been reared by dragons must recover
the stolen Jewels of Power. In this quest she must find the healing
pearl unfortunately her mother the High Witch Ondine was the thief
who stole this gem.
The Story So Far explains Tia's recovery of the five precious
stones, the emerald, the opal, the topaz, the sapphire and the ruby.
Each has special powers and are kept safe by her DragonBrother Finn.
To thwart the evil witch Tia has to give the dragon her emerald ring
that allows her to talk to her jackdaw Loki and her locket with
family pictures. She travels through the islands and towns to the
island where the High Witch lives in an imposing house. The lake
surrounding the island is filled with beautiful white swans,
swimming and nesting. Tia rescues a swan being attacked by foxes and
gains entry to her mother's home with the swan keeper. When she
meets her mother who of course only sees a Trader girl Tia is upset.
Life at the palace is difficult young Tia is closely guarded and
there seems to be little opportunity to steal the pearl and return
the necklace filled with the six powerful stones to the Dragon King
and Queen. This journey is the most difficult as she encounters the
most powerful magic of all.
Gil Vickery's novel is fast-paced, building the tension, she shows
her understanding of the young reader's need for excitement and
adventure. Mike Love's dark black and white sketches add to the
reader's understanding of Tia's final quest. The author adds a
teaser at the end of the story Tia's journey may continue as she
searches for her father.
Rhyllis Bignell
Alexander Altmann A10567 by Suzy Zail
Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922179999.
In order to survive the barbaric cruelty and suffering of the
Auschwitz - Birkenau combined labour and extermination camp, 14 year
old Alexander deliberately avoids friendship and tries to suppress
his emotional responses to the horrors surrounding him. Known only
by his number, personal identity is erased and humanity almost
destroyed in the unspeakable conditions which have seen his family
torn apart and his sister executed.
When slave labourers are selected for specialised tasks, the odds of
survival increase slightly yet Alex has no trade skills to offer
until the call is made for stable hands to care for horses kept for
the amusement of SS officers. Having grown up on a farm, Alex is
familiar with equestrian care and training and counts himself lucky
to be selected until he is ordered to tame a wild stallion newly
acquired by the brutal camp commandant Rudolf Hoss. With prisoners
being viciously beaten and murdered for trifling mistakes and
misfortunes beyond their control, Alex is fully aware that his life
hangs in the balance every second of the day and to fail in his task
means certain death.
The unbearable suffering, fear and tension felt by the prisoners is
narrated without restraint but is also cleverly presented
symbolically in the behaviour of the terrified horse which has been
torn away from familiar surrounds and hurled into a cruel and
unfeeling environment. In a world of misery and pain, Alex refuses
to contribute to suffering by 'breaking' the horse using domination
and control. Instead he builds a gentle, protective relationship
with the animal and comes to accept the kindness offered by fellow
inmate Isidor whilst allowing mutual trust to develop. Simple acts
of humanity performed at great risk by prisoners and from unexpected
quarters are important features of this tale.
Suzy Zail's own father survived the camps but this book is based
upon the personal experiences of Fred Steiner, a Holocaust museum
guide who told her of his years caring for horses at Auschwitz.
Readers will of course be confronted and moved by this novel which
is largely faithful to history in its depiction of Commander Hoss
and the terrible atrocities which occurred within the concentration
camps.
Rob Welsh
Blood Ties by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Spirit Animals Book 3. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9780545599733.
Highly recommended. The once peaceful land of Erdas is being
threatened by the Conquerors. Four young heroes, Conor, Abeke,
Meilin and Rollan, have been gifted with a rare and special ability
to call forth their own special animal, to help them in their fight
against this evil. Unfortunately, the Conquerers have have developed
an unnatural away to force animals to bond with humans, making them
very powerful.
I really enjoyed this book, even though it was book 3 in a series I
had never read, it can easily be read as a stand alone. Though I
have to say, after finishing the book I was keen to locate and read
the others in the series. I would highly recommend the book to
students, especially those with an interest in animals, and
adventure.
First we meet Meilin, as she battles her way through an ancient
bamboo maze, helped by her spirit animal, a panda called Jhi.
Impatient, angry and headstrong, she has left her three spirit
animal friends behind, to save her homeland.
We meet the others, as they struggle together through enemy occupied
territory, trying to avoid capture. Eventually, they all come
together.
The story places the characters in situations where trust and
friendships are tested, where self doubts and conflict arise and
where eventually the youngsters learn that working together makes
them stronger than trying to work alone. It's a great demonstration
of young people from different cultures and backgrounds trying to
work out their differences for the greater good.
The story culminates in a big battle, with some devastating losses,
and finishes with a very touching moment. I don't want to give the
ending away, but I'm looking forward to book 4 when it comes out.
Tiffany Boyer
Urban Outlaws by Peter Jay Black
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408851418.
Recommended for readers from 10 to 14 years, both boys and girls who
loved action adventure novels. Peter Jay Black's novel introduces
Jack, Charlie, Obi, Wren and Slink, five young vigilantes who have
chosen to live as Urban Outlaws, like Robin Hood. Through a variety
of unfortunate circumstances, these talented kids aged between ten
and fifteen have banded together and use their myriad of
high-techskills, athleticisim and brilliant minds to steal from
wealthy criminals and share the spoils with the poor and needy.
Their home base in London is deep underground in an abandoned World
War 2 bunker where they have resourcefully set up their living
quarters, surveillance equipment and monitoring devices. Jack, the
leader thinks on his feet and with his friends utilising their
specialist skills they steal a large amount of money from Benito Del
Sarto, one of the country's biggest dealers of illegal arms. As they
are undertaking this secret mission, they stumble across a quantum
computer Proteus and struggle to gain control of this super threat.
This action-packed novel asks the reader to suspend belief and fully
engage in the outlaws' fight against evil. Every chapter is full of
heroic action with the aid of high tech gadgets this makes for a
fast-paced story. The characters are relatable, each has a skill set
needed for the completion of the adventure. Their life underground
requires resourcefulness and they support each other as a unique
group of friends who have come from traumatic circumstances.
There is a website
for additional information.
Rhyllis Bignell
The girl from Hard Times Hill by Emma Barnes
Flash Backs series. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781472904430.
(Age: 10+) Recommended, Historical novel, Post World War Two. The
series Flash Backs is producing some quick read historical
novels which not only tell a good story in less than one hundred
pages, have lively interesting characters and are set in a time
relevant to today's readers. The night run by Bali Rai told the story of one boy's bid for
freedom the evening of the Amritsar massacre in India in 1919.
The girl from Hard Times Hill tells of Megan after the war in Wales
where she has been told by the teacher that she can aim for the
Eleven Plus exam and so get into the local grammar school. She is
torn between wanting to do something more than girls did in past
generations, and her friendship with a girl in her class who
despises those who go to grammar school. Her father accepts a job in
Newcastle, but when the family finds she may get into grammar
school, stays put. But Dad has to sell food door to door to make a
living, so things need to change.
The background, just after the end of World War Two in Britain is
most convincing. Barnes has insinuated much information into the few
pages, and built a credible story about a young girl in the midst of
change.
Fran Knight
Hard Nuts of History: Ancient Greece by Tracey Turner
A & C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781472905628.
(All ages) This is a great book. I recommend it for kids of all ages
because it is really fun. Even though it is recommended for ages
7-9, my 11 year old daughter saw the book and read it with great
interest and amusement. The illustrations make you laugh and make
you want to read the book even before you know what it's about.
With only 64 pages, an easy to follow layout, simple language, and
the the 'Hard Nut Rating' and 'Hardometer', even reluctant readers
will give it a go. It is filled with things kids find interesting
like ancient curses, monsters and tales of bravery, cunning and
ruthlessness.
So if you want your kids to learn about some of the most interesting
men and women of Ancient Greece, this is a great place to start.
Tiffany Boyer
First book of diggers and dumpers by Isabel Thomas
Bloomsbury Transport Collection, A&CBlack, 2014. ISBN
9781408194584.
Recommended for readers from 5-7 years. Subjects: Heavy machinery,
Transport.
The Bloomsbury Transport Collection includes four non-fiction books
for children who are interested in emergency vehicles, bikes and
motorbikes, ships and boats and in heavy machinery - diggers and
dumpers.
Each page or two page spread is centred around a technical
illustration of one type of machine with clearly labelled machine
parts, a simple introduction and easy to read information in text
boxes. Thirty different machines from excavators, augers, dumpers,
backhoe loaders to refuse compactors are covered in this book.
A safety precaution on the Index page reminds the reader to have an
adult accompany them to look at the machines and not venture onto a
building site alone. At the back there is a Spotter's Guide include
for the enthusiast to record sightings of all this machinery. This
is a great addition to the library or personal collection of an
equipment and transport fan.
Rhyllis Bignell
Intruder by Christine Bongers
Woolshed Press, 2014. ISBN 9780857983763.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Kat Jones is woken up by an intruder
looming over her bed. Her father Jimmy, works nights and she is
alone in the house. She screams and is saved by her neighbour,
Edwina, the one woman who Kat intensely dislikes because she
believes that Edwina betrayed her mother when she was dying from
cancer. Kat's father insists that either she goes and spends the
nights next door with the woman she hates or accepts Hercules, a very
ugly dog, to guard her. Even though she is terrified of dogs, she
decides that that is her only option. Then she meets Al, a new boy
in the neighbourhood, at the dog exercise park and things begin to
look up.
Although from the title and the opening chapters, this book would
appear to be a thriller, it is much more than that. It is a
complex and exciting story about the relationships that
people have and the secrets that they keep from one another. It is
the story of a difficult and grieving young girl coming of age and
gradually beginning to understand what is happening around her. It
is filled with intriguing characters whose actions and personalities
keep the reader wondering about their motivations right until the
end of the story. Why does Jimmy, Kat's father work at nights when
it could mean that Social Services could take her from him when they
find out that she was alone? Why does Kat hate Edwina so much? Why
was Al, who is such a likeable character, forced to leave his last
school? Who is the intruder? Gradually things are revealed by
Bongers until the final unforeseen unveiling of many of the
mysteries that are so absorbing.
Dog lovers will enjoy the training of Hercules, the very ugly but
loveable dog. Herc gradually wins Kat over and helps to allay her
deep-set fear of dogs, making readers come to the realisation that
some fears can be overcome with patience and help. Al too provides
Kat with a new look at what is happening around her and helps her to
face things with a new maturity as she and her father begin to come
to grips with her mother's death. Kat has to learn to move on from
the past and find a way to live happily with the people who love
her.
Big themes like death, friendship, parenting, bullying and intruders
are dealt with sensitively in this compelling book. Readers who
enjoy it could move onto books by Fiona Wood and Cath Crowley.
Pat Pledger
Mr Chicken lands on London by Leigh Hobbs
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743315927
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Travel. London. Humour. Mr Chicken
lands in London with a list of places he wants to visit. The large,
yellow, ovoid figure of Mr Chicken graces each page as we see him at
various sights around the city. He lands, of course, hanging from a
Union Jack parachute and checks in at the Savoy Hotel where he
enjoys his breakfast in bed, contemplating his list. From there he
ventures to an amazing array of known sights: Buckingham Palace for
tea with the Queen, a ride on the red bus, and the Underground; he
climbs Nelson's Column and perches on top, visits the National
Gallery and the London Eye, each time making a grand entrance amid
the crowds of tourists. He perches on top of the Eros statue in
Piccadilly Square and then retires to his hotel room for an
afternoon nap. Starting again he has dinner in the crypt at St
Martin's in the Field, goes to the Opera, and leaves early to get to
Big Ben in time to climb the stairs and be inside the clock when it
strikes nine fifteen, his eyes being the clock hands.
After his full English breakfast he sheds a tear saying goodbye from
Waterloo Bridge and heads off in his balloon, promising to return.
Following Mr Chicken through London, as with Paris, allows the
reader to assimilate the main attractions of these cities, while
engaged in a humorous story of the affable Mr Chicken. He meanders
through the crowds to see the things he has on his list, taking the
readers with him on his travels.
Younger readers will get to know the tourist sights and the look of
a great city with its hordes of people, network of transport
facilities and maze of streets and buildings. They will enjoy the
fact of making a list, and sticking to that list to get everything
done within the time allowed. They will be able to discuss the
things needed to have an enjoyable holiday.
The illustrations are just wonderful, showing this oversized tourist
enjoying himself while taking up so much room. The drawings of
London's main attractions are a delight and the endpapers add
another dimension to the story, with a map at the start and thank
you letters and postcards at the end. All will add meaning to the
story to discuss with readers.
And with the other title, Mr Chicken goes to Paris, a treat
is in store for the readers. A fascinating video
clip about the development of Mr Chicken can also be viewed.
Fran Knight
