Hermione Anemone and the enormous storm by Ciara Molloy Tan
Ill. by Michaela Blassnig. Lothian Children's Books, 2014, ISBN
9780734415479.
(Age: Pre-school) The underwater adventure begins with Hermione
sitting alone in her rock pool and the reader has the sense that she
is lonely. A sudden storm begins as a frightening experience for her
as she observes people scattering and realises that her little pool
is about to take a battering. However what occurs opens up a new
world of friendship and fun and mussels, clams, seahorses and a wide
variety of sea creatures are delivered to the pool by the storm. The
end result is a fun filled party where Hermione discovers the joy of
making and having friends.
The rhyme and rhythm of the story lends itself to reading aloud and
the use of unusual words like 'kerfuffle' enriches the language.
Michaela Blassnig's illustrations, which are strong and full of
colour, add to the sense of fun and adventure. This book will be
enjoyed by pre-school children.
Karen Mutton
Come on, let's play illustrated by Cheryl Orsini
Lothian Children's Books, 2014, ISBN 9780734415509.
A day without school lends itself to many adventures at home with
the family. From the very start to the very end the children
engage with their parents turning many everyday home based
activities into adventures. Beginning with morning snuggles in
bed, the making of breakfast, building of forts, games of hide and
seek, the story develops until story time and bed as the whole
family enjoys a day full of home made fun and adventure.
The book celebrates the creative ability of children to turn simple
things into exciting adventures while Cheryl Orsini's illustrations
add an extra dimension to the story and contribute beautifully to
the book, which will appeal to very young children.
Karen Mutton
What now baby bears? by Toni Brisland
Ill. by Emma Stuart. Little Steps, 2013.
All through spring, summer and autumn the baby bears frolic and
played in their beautiful, unspoiled environment. They ate
dandelions, and nuts and crowberries; they snoozed; they caught fish
and did what baby bears are supposed to do. In late autumn when the
trees swayed in the creek and the smell of snow was in the air, the
bears just knew it was time to find a den and sleep throughout the
winter. As the snows fell, they slept and slept and slept.
But when they woke, something strange had happened to their world.
There were houses and humans and a busy road ran through the forest.
So much of what they had known had gone, including the other baby
animals and the eagles. There was just one flower in sight - on the
other side of the busy road and disaster strikes when Mother Bear
crosses the road to fetch it. What will happen to the baby bears
now? What Now Baby Bears? is Toni Brisland's first picture book
although she has more in the pipeline as well as two novels about a
Sherlock Holmes-like cat called DemiChat . Illustrator,
Emma Stuart has accompanied the text with delightful illustrations
which bring the bears to life and which characterise that cuteness
and cheekiness we associate with baby bears.
This story would be a great introduction to a unit about the impact
that humans have on the landscape and the flora and fauna within it.
Living where I do, the sight of fatally wounded wildlife on the side
of the highway is too common and if not for the efforts of
organisations like LAOKO the
toll would be higher. So even though this story is set in Canada,
inspired by the author's visit to a sanctuary for orphaned bears in
Vancouver, it has immediate relevance and would fit well within the
sustainability strand of the Australian Curriculum. While the
students' have little sway with politicians and town planners,
nevertheless there are always things that can be done through the
local wildlife organisations which could lead to a deeper
understanding of this critical environmental issue. What Now Baby Bears? got a two-thumbs-up from the class I
shared it with, as well as a lot of discussion which was initially
less confronting because its characters were not the Australian
wildlife they saw every day. But it wasn't long before they made the
connections and started to consider the real story behind the baby
wombats that they see being cared for in the library from time to
time. Then they were keener than ever to create posters to try to
educate motorists as the annual ski season draws near and the danger
to our creatures increases.
Barbara Braxton
Once Upon A Timeless Tale series
Little Hare, 2014. Jack and the Beanstalk retold by Margrete Lamond with Russell
Thomson. Illustrated by Andrew Joyner. ISBN 9781742975245. Goldilocks and the Three Bears Retold by Margrete Lamond with
Russell Thomson. Illustrated by Anna Walker. ISBN 9781921894923. The Princess and the Pea Retold by Margrete Lamond.
Illustrated by Mitch Vane. ISBN 9781921894930. The Ugly Duckling Retold by Margrete Lamond. Illustrated by
Jonathan Bentley.
(All ages) These are indeed timeless tales, those traditional
stories that are handed down from generation to generation and which
we expect our students come to school already knowing (although that
is often a misconception). These are the original pre-Disney version
of these stories told way back when, retold by Margrete Lamond and
beautifully illustrated by some of the best illustrators for
children, bringing them right into the world of the 21st century
child and a new generation.
While there may be a perception that fairytales such as these are
the domain of the preschooler and very young readers, they actually
have a place on the shelves of every library, primary and secondary.
Firstly, they are a part of our oral culture and there is an
expectation that when you mention a particular story, the students
will know enough of the core story to bring it to mind. So this can
be compared to other cultures whose history has been passed down
orally.
Secondly, the original purpose of such stories was a didactic one -
each had a lesson or a moral to be learned by the younger generation
without putting them physically at risk - so students can not only
examine what that lesson is, but also compare it to the traditional
stories of other cultures to investigate if similar, universal
truths were a common theme.
Thirdly, most of them are now hundreds of years old so what is it
about these stories that mean they have endured over time, place and
space? Even though they have been retold, re-interpreted and
repackaged into a variety of formats, why does the core and essence
remain intact? Why are they told again and again and again and
children's eyes light up when you pick up a familiar one to read to
them? Which of today's stories will survive the test of time? Even
though The Very Hungry Caterpillar is now 45, Corduroy
is now 40, and Hairy Maclary, Hush and Grandma Poss
are all 30-something, do they have whatever it is it takes to notch
up centenaries and bicentenaries?
Finally, for now, these books lend themselves to helping students
understand that critical information literacy skill of
interpretation. Because there are so many versions available it is
easy to collect enough of them to provide the variety required to
examine how both the story and the illustrations have been
interpreted. What has been added, deleted, or changed to give the
story a particular purpose or slant? How would the story change if
it were told by another character? Which parts of the story have the
illustrators chosen to depict and how are their pictures of the same
thing, such as the giant, similar or different? What common
knowledge do we share even though no one has ever seen a giant and
is there evidence of stereotyping?
This series would make an affordable addition to the library's
collection so students can start to delve into the deeper questions.
Barbara Braxton
Wilderness fairies series by Jodie Wells-Slowgrove
Penguin, 2014. Daisy's Quest. ISBN 9780143307464. Daisy's New Wings. ISBN 9780143307471.
(Age: K-3)
Across a meandering river
In a forest tall and green
Live the magical Wilderness Fairies
And their wise Fairy Queen.
Guided by their Callings
The Wilderness Fairies strive
To use their magic wisely
And help the forest thrive.
But one impatient fairy
Has lessons yet to learn
Her Calling to discover
And fairy wings to earn.
And so begins the saga of Daisy, the star of this new
Australian-based fairy series written by teacher librarian Jodie
Wells and illustrated by Kerry Millard. In Daisy's Quest she
is anxious to earn her fairy wings, something granted only be the
Fairy Queen. Although she has her magic wand, presented to her on
her fifth birthday, having wings would make such a difference and
she is anxious to begin the quest that will earn them. Daisy is
delighted that her time has come and, accompanied by her best friend
Vu, a very rare chrysomelid beetle only 5mm long who exists on
hackberry leaves, she embarks on a series of tasks encapsulated in
cryptic clues and which test her life and limb. And if she is to
earn her wings she must reach the Fairy Queen by moonrise, which it
seems she will do until not only she meets Holly but also runs out
of magic . . . Daisy's New Wings follows her adventures as
she learns how to fly but she is very impatient.
The stories are filled with beautiful descriptions that bring the
fairyland of the imagination to life, but its Australian bush
setting gives it a resonance that really appeal, particularly to
Miss 7 who walks through a real fairy garden in that sort of setting
every time she goes to her cubby house. Drawing on the recognisable
native flora and fauna, which are then explained in detail at the
end of each story, really help the young reader believe that there
really is a miniature magical world that exists away from the clumsy
feet and loud noise of humans. Riches for the imagination, indeed!
(And even more reason for Grandma to keep finding fairies and other
little creatures to pop into the hidey-holes of the trees and hang
from branches and prop against the hollow logs.)
Written with a light hand, these stories have an undercurrent of
being persistent, responsible, resilient, patient, co-operative -
all those traits that their target audience are starting to develop
as they become more independent. There are at least two more in this
series to come - Daisy's Secret and Daisy takes Charge
and Miss 7 is eagerly awaiting them . . . in the meantime, when
she's not out looking for Daisy, Vu, Maggie, Pea and Nellie, she
will have to be content with the website learning
about the forest dwellers, colouring in the pictures by Kerry
Millard and creating one of her own to send in to share.
Barbara Braxton
Stories for boys, and Stories for girls
Stories for boys. Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780857980885. Ebook ISBN 9780857980861.
Stories for Girls by various authors
Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780857980861. Ebook ISBN 9780857980878.
(Age: Yr 2-4) Much as some dislike to tag a story according to its
appeal to one gender or another, we still have to acknowledge that
children, especially those just beginning their independent reading
journeys and learning what they like do have significant differences
based on their gender. So these two collections are wonderful
vehicles for helping those students start to map their voyage. Each
comprises short discrete stories just perfect for a one-session read
- or those reading-in-the-gaps times that we need to encourage so
that reading becomes an all-day event, not just an in-school one.
The read-aloud hat (the subject of a new blog post for 500 Hats) is
a critical one so teachers and teacher librarians will savour these
selections for those in-between times when a short read-aloud is
just what is required.
With each story being written by one of Australia's leading authors
for this age group such as Jacqueline Harvey, Claire Saxby, Tristan
Bancks, Bill Condon and a host of others there is an opportunity to
lead the reader from the favourite short story to the novels and
series by that author. The variety of stories - some adventure, come
funny, some serious - could also be a starting point for exploring
particular topics or genres. The boys' collection has stories about
ghosts, pirates, superheroes and monsters, while the girls can enjoy
stories fairies, ponies and a giraffe who tries to learn ballet and
finds she is all gangles and little grace.
Both of these titles would be great additions to that display of
perfect books to curl up and read and shut out the world.
Barbara Braxton
Chook Chook: Saving the Farm by Wai Chim
UQP, 2014. ISBN 9780702253164.
(Age: 9-11) Highly recommended. Chook Chook: Saving the Farm is the
third in Wai Chim's series dealing with the life of young Mei in a
rural Chinese village. The story opens with beautiful descriptions
of the colours, food and excitement as the family prepares for the
celebration of New Year, giving insight into the Chinese cultural
traditions that are an important part of Mei's life and contribute
to her sense of belonging.
While Mei has settled comfortably into her new life, coming to terms
with her mother's remarriage, her stepfather and stepbrother living
in her home and her beloved brother's departure to the city her life
is thrown into upheaval again by the demands and impact of a rapidly
developing society. The story leads the reader through the
tumultuous emotions experienced by Mei as she refuses to ignore the
injustice she feels at the treatment, by authority, of her village
and the family farm.
Mei continues as a feisty proactive character who is both
resourceful and intelligent. She refuses to be beaten down by
powerful government officials who do not understand the importance
of her traditional village and life style to the people who belong
there. Mei is challenged and confused by her brother Guo's
ambivalence towards the traditional farming methods used by Mei's
family as he is introduced to modern farming methods through his
study. He is also exposed to the ridicule and put downs of city
folks who sneer at those who live in rural communities.
Mei works with both friends and family to find a way to protect both
her village and family farm. A successful solution is found and
again Mei's pet chickens, Little and Lo contribute to the solution,
but not quite in the way Mei expected.
These books have been avidly read by students' aged 9 - 11 years, a
number of whom are excited by the release of the new story.
Karen Mutton
Tandem by Anna Jarzab
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857982995.
(Age: 12+) Sasha is a 16 yr old orphan living with her grandfather
until the night she is kidnapped and taken to a parallel universe.
Her mission, which she must accept if she wants to return home
again, is to impersonate Princess Juliana (her double or analogue).
The real princess has been secretly kidnapped by revolutionaries
just days before her marriage to a foreign prince. Sasha must
stand-in for the princess, in order to prevent ongoing animosity and
possible war between the United Commonwealth of Columbia and
adjoining, Farnham. These kingdoms roughly equate to USA and Canada
in Sasha's universe.
Her kidnapper, 18yr old Thomas who is a special agent back in
Columbia, is also an analogue of her long time unrequited love
interest on Earth, Grant. The unsuspecting groom, Prince Callum,
forms a love triangle but Sasha's heart belongs to Thomas - despite
being Sasha's abductor. Complications include a good many power
struggles between a despotic General who rules through a comatose
King, wicked Queens and revolutionary forces.
As far as parallel worlds go, plot and setting are detailed and
credible enough to keep us turning the pages but none of the
characters are particularly endearing or likeable in themselves or
in their interactions. When the adventure ends for Sasha and Grant
after a good many twists and turns, the fates of their analogues
remain uncertain and this is reason enough for lovers of Sci-Fi to
anticipate the sequel.
Deborah Robins
Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House Australia Children's, 2014. ISBN: 9781742757513.
Love her or loathe her (and I loved her) Enid Blyton was very savvy
about what children liked to read and do and turned that into a
hugely successful career.
The Clementine Rose books put me in mind of EB's foresight,
so much of which is common practice today - children like to collect
'sets', the covers and spines of a series should be instantly
identifiable and look complete on a shelf, children like to read
about, and identify with, ordinary characters and settings with a
pinch of adventure or mischief thrown in, naughtiness is not
acceptable nor rewarded and vocabulary should not be so challenging
as to put off readers.
This is the 5th in the Clementine Rose series and in this
story, CR is on a holiday at the beach with her family, while their
own hotel is being renovated. Lady Clarissa, (Clementine's adopted
mother - see previous books!), Uncle Digby, Aunt Violet and Lavender
the teacup pig are very pleased to be at Endersely-on-Sea and find
their landlady, Mrs Dent, very welcoming. Mrs Dent's grandchildren
are also staying and while Freddy is also very friendly, Della is a
nasty little girl who needs putting in her place.
Playing on the beach, exploring caves holding secrets and a tiny pig
escaping during a wild storm are all part of Clementine Rose's
holiday - and all guaranteed to hold the interest of small girls of
six and up - either reading independently or as a read-aloud.
Find out more about Clementine Rose here.
Sue Warren
Jacob's new dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
Ill. by Chris Case. Albert Whitman, 2014. ISBN 9780807563731.
There are many costumes to choose from in the class dress-up corner
- firemen, dragons, farmers, knights in shining armour - but Jacob
insists on wearing the princess dress complete with crown. Even when
Ms Wilson suggests alternatives to deflect the derision he is
receiving, particularly from Christopher, he proudly informs her
that he is the princess. At home that afternoon, his mother
reaffirms that boys can wear dresses and even suggests he plays in
his Hallowe'en witch's outfit but when he proposes to wear it to
school the next day she is caught in a dilemma of acknowledging her
son's choices and protecting him for the cruelty of his classmates.
When Jacob creates an alternative - a toga-like outfit he makes from
towels - she is happier, especially when Jacob agrees to wear shorts
and a shirt underneath.
However, while his friend Emily admires his creation, that is not
enough for Christopher and the rest of the boys who cannot deal with
Jacob's nonconformist persona and Jacob goes home miserable and
confused, but determined. He asks his mother to make him a real
dress but she hesitates, and the longer she hesitates the harder it
is for Jacob to breathe. Will his mum support what for him is a
natural expression of who he is, or will she try to protect him from
the Christophers of the world?
Just ten years ago, there was a 'Jacob' at the school where I taught
- a young lad who preferred the princess outfits, made long hair
from plaited pantyhose, and whose choices made him not only the butt
of the playground bullies but also the subject of many
teacher-parent and teacher-teacher conferences as we tried to find a
way through the minefield that saw him become more and more anxious
and isolated as he progressed through the years. Gender identity
issues were not common - in fact, our Jacob was the first gender
nonconforming child that many of us had taught. In hindsight and
with what we know now, his dependence in other areas was just a
manifestation of his insecurity and need to be acknowledged like a
regular child, that he was more than his gender confusion and we
needed to look harder beneath the outer to seek the inner. How
welcome a book like Jacob's New Dress would have been to
give us some guidance, for like Jacob's parents in the story,
teachers too are trapped in the dilemma of acknowledgement and
protection. Ms Wilson tells her class that Jacob wears what he's
comfortable in. Just like you do. Not very long ago little girls
couldn't wear pants. Can you imagine that?" If we don't make
judgements about a girl's future sexuality because she prefers to
wear blue jeans and to play football, why do we react so strongly to
a boy making alternative choices?
This story was born of the authors' own experience with their own
child and while there are many unanswered questions about both the
cause of and the future for such children, the strong message is
that 'support and acceptance from family, peers and community make a
huge difference in the future health and mental health of these
kids'. Just like any child, really. Ms Wilson is a role model for
teachers - gender nonconformity is just another way of being
different and 'there are many ways to be boys [and girls].' Just a
couple of generations ago people who were left-handed often had the
offending hand ties behind their back to compel them to write with
their right - perhaps it won't be too long before 'pink boys' are as
accepted as lefties are today. Perhaps we could start the
conversations with questions such as:
If Jacob were in our class, are you more likely to be like Emily or
Christopher?
How would you feel if someone made fun of you wearing your favourite
clothes or wouldn't let you wear them?
Has that happened to you? Do you want to share?
Why do you think Christopher reacts the way he does?
What did you like/not like about the way Ms Wilson dealt with the
issue?
If you were Jacob's mum or dad, what decision would you make?
Apart from anything else, an astute teacher will pick up on any
sexism issues that might be bubbling below the surface.
However, there is another level to this book. While, on the surface,
this appears to be a picture book for the young (the recommended age
is 4-7) it would also be a brilliant springboard to a study about
what is masculine and what is feminine and the messages portrayed
through the media about what is valued about and for each; the
relationship between the clothes we wear and our perceived position
in society; and whether, despite the feminist movement, whether
deep-down core values and beliefs have really changed. Are
gender-based stereotypes perpetuated? In the vein of Tomie dePaola's
Oliver Button is a Sissy this is yet another example of a
picture book (usually seen as the reading realm of the very young)
actually having an audience of all ages.
Barbara Braxton
The ABC Book of Seasons by Helen Martin and Judith Simpson
Ill. by Cheryl Orsini. ABC Books/ HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN
9780733331954.
'Season come . . . seasons go . . .sun shines . . .winds blow. . .rain falls. . .plants
grow'. As winter starts to take its grip on Australia once
again, this is a great book to help our youngest readers learn about
the seasons. Each season has its own group of pages that show
a range of familiar sights, colours and activities and concludes
with a question that draws the child into sharing their own ideas
and experiences.
It is also Australian with words and illustrations that are familiar
to our children. 'Autumn' is used rather than 'fall' and there are
beaches, barbecues, picnics and parks which will help the reader
connect with the story. Even though the winter snow scenes
might be new to many, the children that I shared this with were
quite tickled that here was a picture that they could really relate
to, given where we live. While many of them could describe just what
it feels like to be on a chairlift, it also started a conversation
about what winter was like in other parts of Australia. They
were fascinated that there were places where beaches and barbecues
were everyday things all year round!
While nonfiction books about the seasons abound, there are very few
that are as charming and appealing as this one for this age
group. The authors and illustrators have got it just right for
their target audience, and it is one that can be read and reread
throughout the year as the calendar and the planet turn.
Barbara Braxton
Billy is a dragon series by Nick Falk
Ill. by Tony FLowers. Random House, 2014. First Bite. ISBN 9780857983053. ebk ISBN 9780857983060. Werewolves Beware. ISBN 9780857983077. ebk ISBN
9780857983084.
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
emphasise 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 is
sure to capture the attention and imagination of a clientele who can
be hard to engage.
Barbara Braxton
One Red Shoe by Karin Gruss and Tobias Krejtschi
Wilkins Farago, 2014. ISBN 9780987109965.
(Age: Yr 5+) To the international photo journalist it's just another
call about another attack on a school bus, part of day-to-day life
on the Gaza Strip as the conflict between the Israelis and
Palestinians continues . . . 'Strange, how ordinary the message
sounded.' Little does he know that it will change his perspective
forever. As he runs past children who are so used to violence,
carnage and death that they continue their game of hopscotch
uninterrupted and play basketball against a backdrop of bombed out
buildings, he doesn't realise how the impact of doing his job -
following the victims and the paramedics into the hospital trauma
ward to give 'the people at home the most accurate information
possible' - will change him this time. For this time the victims are
children, and one in particular who keeps saying his name over and
over . . . 'Maybe children in wartime learned early on to repeat
their names even if they are unconscious, so relatives can find
them' . . . and this one touches a nerve. Through his camera lens he
sees that the boy is wearing one red basketball boot, the same as he
had given his nephew safe at home. But there is only one - where was
the other? His nephew loved his pair so surely this boy would too,
and hadn't just lost it. While its whereabouts might not be known,
it's not hard to work out what's happened to it. Little boys' legs
and grenades are not a good combination.
As he continues to shoot his pictures and the medics continue to
fight to save Kenan, something strange happens . . . something that
causes the photographer to make an important phone call and a
promise. Suddenly, this conflict just got personal.
This is one of the most powerful picture books I've read for some
time. Told in a minimalist style, almost like a photo essay would
be, the imagery is so striking that the minds connects the dots
without the need for superfluous words. Monochromatic with just the
splash of the red shoe, their style and perspective, angles and
lighting not only reinforce the idea of the narrator seeing the
events through a lens but also add to the drama and emotion of what
is being experienced. From endpaper to endpaper there is nothing
extraneous, but the astute eye will pick up tiny details that offer
so much insight into who this man is, his thoughts and emotions.
This is a picture book for older students, right through to the
senior years of secondary school. It has so many places in the
Australian Curriculum and Ian McLean's teachers'
notes offer many suggestions that demonstrate how it could be
used across all levels from about Year 5 up. An exceptional book
that has so much for so many.
Barbara Braxton
The Tinklers Three: A very good idea by M. C. Badger
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2014.
(Ages: 6 to 9) Highly recommended. The Tinkler children, Marcus,
Mila and Turtle, are living every child's dream. With their parents
performing in a travelling circus (their father is a tight-rope
walker and their mother, the children are left home alone to follow
their own rules and decisions. Their rules vary from 'You must eat
cake on Saturdays' to 'You must not stir soup with a shoe', and with
ideas like 'The best food for breakfast is chocolate ice-cream' and
'A bird's nest makes a good hat', we can be sure of some
entertaining adventures. In this book (the first in a series of 3),
the Tinklers decide to travel to the other side of town without
touching the ground. Agreeing that it will be difficult, dangerous
and dirty, they set off using some creative thinking, their circus
skills, a well-stocked backpack, and a little help from some
pigeons.
This book is a charming blend of humour, fantasy and imagination.
With delightful illustrations and varying fonts (cleverly used to
encourage young readers to develop inflection), this is certain to
become a popular book among developing readers. M.C. Badger who is
perhaps best known for Go Girl and Tweenie Genie,
has created a wonderful set of characters who will continue to spark
our imaginations in the next titles An Excellent Invention
and The Coolest Pool.
Donella Reed
Big book of Aussie dinosaurs by Kel Richards
Ill. by Glen Singleton. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781742830568.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Dinosaurs. A book about dinosaurs will
always be popular and given the range of Australian dinosaurs, this
book crowds in a great deal of information about them. Arranged in
groups like biggest and smallest, slowest and fastest, oldest and
youngest, these pages are interspersed with informative pages about
what they ate, how they used their senses to survive, which ones
hunted and which stayed in herds and so on. All interesting and
factual. The last double page poses the question how we know about
these creatures and talks about fossil evidence and paleantologists
and their work. Another page gives information about the word
extinct and what possibly happened to the dinosaurs.
A double page at the end of the book has an Aussie picture gallery
of all of its dinosaurs with their correct name and its meaning,
which avid fans out there will love.
The cutesy pictures in this book do little for me, as I would prefer
pictures which actually show the dimensions and characteristics in a
more realistic way, but that said, the information inside this
colourful book is interesting and accurate and would be music to the
ears of all those avid dinosaur readers and fact collectors in
schools.
Fran Knight
