Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408842522.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Animals. Non fiction. An attractively bound
large hard back book presents information about a range of animals
sure to whet the appetites of younger readers. The opening double
page explains what is meant by some specific terms. It explains how
scientists have divided all animals into specific groups such as
reptiles, birds and mammals, each group having something in common.
It then explains how these are further divided into vertebrates and
invertebrates with a reference to warm and cool blooded animals. All
is done succinctly and uses magnificent photographic illustrations
to make the point. After that chapters on each double page
give explanations of various animal groups, large and small,
mammals, animals at the poles and so on, then it concentrates on
various attributes, like surviving or regions where the animals
live. It seems an unusual mix of topics, but I am sure that younger
readers will love to dip in and out of this handsomely illustrated
book, as I did, letting the page fall open, and gobbling up what is
presented. A sound index will help children learn the significance
of using that tool to gain more information, and the large glossary
expands on the knowledge given in the text. A box on the last page
contains references to other books and websites, adding to its
usefulness in the classroom.
Fran Knight
Nellie Melba by Allan Drummond
Aussie Notables series. Green Barrow Publishing, 2013. ISBN
9781876460471.
(Age: 10+) Dame Nellie Melba's success transcended the
confines of the world of opera. Like Dame Joan Sutherland, her name
was known to most Australians regardless of their musical tastes
because they recognised that despite her international fame, she
always identified with her country of birth.
Allan Drummond has used a tongue-in-cheek style to tell the story of
how Helen Mitchell became the phenomenon Nellie Melba. This is a
demanding subject for young readers, many of whom may not be aware
of opera as a performing art, and few of whom will have seen a live
performance. The author has overcome this by beginning with a
reference to the Sydney Opera House, a familiar landmark, and then
broadening his scope to the great opera houses of the world in which
Melba sang. The influence of the singer's parents, details of her
childhood, her difficult personal life as an adult and remarkable
career are all explained, as are the plots of some of the operas in
which she appeared. Chatty asides, references to modern popular
culture and cartoons scattered throughout the text, may appeal to
those readers who also enjoy the Horrible Histories. The use of
cultural stereotypes as a source of humour might now be regarded as
dated. The final chapter about Melba's death and legacy are written
with sensitivity and skill. Nellie Melba is a title in the Aussie Notables series, which
provides brief biographies of the high achievers depicted on our
currency. Allan Drummond's decision to tell their stories will help
younger children to understand the gifts and determination of
Australians whose contribution is so 'notable' that their faces have
been chosen to become part of our daily lives.
Elizabeth Bor
I love you book by Libby Hathorn
Ill. by Heath McKenzie. IP Kids, 2011. ISBN 9781921479892. Ebook
ISBN 9781921479908.
The inspiration for this book could have been the sonnet by
Elizabeth Barrett Browning which begins 'How do I love thee? Let me
count the ways' because it is an ode to the pleasures and delights
of the book - its sights, sounds, smells and the remarkable places
it encourages our imagination to visit and the amazing creatures we
meet when we get there.
'I love you book,
When they read you through and through
Onceuponatime
Undiesontheline
Or by myself
I read out loud
If there're only just we two!
From the 'rustle-bustle' of the pages to the 'dots and commas,
question marks Performing every page' to the 'happily-ever-afters,
packed-to-the-rafters', this is an enthusiastic, energetic romp that
reaffirms the joy that reading provides and why books are here to
stay because they are the perfect format. On each page, illustrator
Heath McKenzie has created fantastic artworks (hand-drawn using a
digital tablet) which match the energy of the text and help us
recall some of the most magic moments in our reading lives. And even
if we haven't yet met the centipede being rude or visited those
lands at the top of the tree, it inspires us to find those books so
we can.
Ms Hathorn says the inspiration for the book comes from an item she
saw at a school assembly when three mothers of the students
performed a 'book drama' called I Love You Book in honour of
their children's excitement about learning to read and she
immediately jotted down some ideas for this book. I wonder if those
mothers know how far their performance has reached, particularly if
we ask our students to express why they love books, not just as an
exploration of the senses but also as a way of having them recommend
books to others. Which books make you 'dreamy and sometimes quiet
and slow', and which books make you want to 'go, get up and go!'?
Similarly, how do those 'short-long words' make the story move, and
what role do those dots and commas have?
If you're planning to start the year off with a focus on reading and
books and the pleasures the children are going to be in for as the
year with you progresses, this is a must-have.
Barbara Braxton
Stay where you are and then leave by John Boyne
Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780857532947.
Set in London on the eve of the First World War, the close, loving
family comprising five year old Alfie, his mother Margie and father
Georgie is warmly presented in the introduction to this story. These
are simple people with limited expectations and aspirations, yet
they work hard and care deeply for one another.
Working for the dairy, Georgie drives a horse drawn cart from house
to house delivering milk and Alfie's greatest dream is to join him
on his rounds. The occasion of his fifth birthday should be one of
celebration, yet apart from Granny Summerfield , aged neighbour
Bill, best friend Kalena and her father, all guests cancel at the
last minute due to the declaration of war with Germany. Alfie is
disappointed but his life falls apart when his father enlists in the
army a few days later.
Complex notions of service to Crown and country versus conscientious
objection, responsibility to family in the face of societal
expectations and living with accusations of cowardice are elements
which are explored and depicted by the author. Detention of
potential enemies also features.
The naivety of Alfie's perspective on this calamitous event
involving international politics and armed conflict helps mirror the
simplistic attitudes of young men who eagerly joined the fray.
Living in an era of industrial exploitation, it seems absurd that so
many rushed to join the ranks of those who would serve the needs of
politicians, incapable military leaders and capitalists who profited
shamelessly from the carnage. This novel helps us to reconsider
modern points of view developed with the luxury of hindsight ,
comfortable living standards and security from war. As Alfie was
powerless under the control of benevolent parents, soldiers who
enlisted and those later conscripted to take play a part in this
previously unimagined horror were equally without capacity to alter
destiny.
Alfie's and Georgie's relationship is particularly poignant because
Georgie has explained that he became the 'man of the house' at an
early age when his father was killed in a mining accident. Both
understand that the loss of a breadwinner means unending financial
hardship and misery for a family.
Four years later, Georgie's letters have become fewer and those
which do arrive are nonsensical before they stop completely. Alfie's
mother perpetuates the myth that he is serving on a secret operation
yet Alfie, a boy with shrewd intelligence beyond his years seeks
truth. An unnecessarily contrived coincidence whilst working as a
shoe shine boy provides Alfie with the information he needs to
discover what has really happened to his father and he encounters a
reality which is rarely the subject of adolescent fiction.
Rob Welsh
Jellybean goes to School by Margaret Roc and Laura Hughes
Random House Australia. Tamarind Imprint, 2013. ISBN 9781848530751.
(Age: 3-5) Highly recommended. Like many other little people around
this time of the year, Beena (known to her family as Jellybean) is
so excited about starting school and has been looking forward
tremendously to learning to read and write, and finding out about
the world and its wonders.
When the great day arrives, she is up early and dressed in her new
uniform and shiny new shoes - ready for anything. That is until she
actually walks through the school gate with her mum, when she is
assailed by sudden trepidation. Maybe school isn't such a good idea,
Jellybean worries.
With reassurance from Mum and gentle encouragement from her kind
teacher Miss Benson, Jellybean and her new friend Alex both discover
during their first day that school can be a marvellous place.
The delightful illustrations in this book are particularly enhanced
by a lively choice of colours. The double page spreads with
Jellybean's imaginative thoughts partnered with the activity of the
moment are simply gorgeous and will make any little person enthused
about the possibilities for themselves. I particularly like
the diversity of children shown in the playground and classroom,
with Jellybean herself clearly not 'Anglo'.
Whether you have Kinder kids of your own, preschoolers anticipating
'big school' or as a read-on-the-first-day choice to assuage any
anxieties, this is a terrifically appealing book.
Perfect for Miss Four and definitely going on her bookshelf, this is
highly recommended for your littlies from 3-5 years.
Sue Warren
Everything we ever saw by Roland Harvey
Allen & Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781743313671.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Australia, Travel, Geography. Subtitled, From
the beach to the bush and more, this smaller sized, hardcover
book is a reissue of the last six Harvey books; At the beach,
In the bush, In the city, To the top end, All
the way to W.A., and On the farm. Each book wittily
shows aspects of life in Australia. In the first book, the family
packs their caravan and sets off to the beach, going on to explore
the bush, then continue their family holiday to the top-end, then WA
and finally come back to help Uncle Kev on his farm.
All the while the family has a range of very funny adventures, told
in Harvey's style of small drawings, littering the pages with a
myriad of things to find, hunt out and recognise. Each page is a
delight to open, full of life and colour, wit and humour, as Harvey
gently lampoons some Australian customs, myths and legends. Readers
will laugh out loud at the family's antics, particularly when Uncle
Kev goes missing, and enjoy the trip around Australia using the map
on the end papers. Harvey's watercolours fill the pages with
recognisable Australian features, and readers will be able to pin
point these on the map.
In the smaller edition, the little pictures will draw the eyes of
younger readers, happily picking out some of the little characters,
people, animals and places on each page, sometimes rivalling a Where's
Wally picture book.
Fran Knight
Puppy Playtime 1, 2, 3 by Celeste Walters
Ill. by Adele Jaunn. Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 9781742977164.
Billy the Bitzer heads to the park to look for his bone that he has
hidden.But suddenly he finds himself in the company of a lot
of other dogs and he gets itchy and twitchy in case someone finds it
first.One is a beagle racing and chasing, 2 is a bulldog
romping and stomping. . . and each time Billy the Bitzer gets
more and more concerned.
Written in rhyme and repetitive text which exploits the rhythm and
patterns of our language, this is a beautifully illustrated story of
ten puppies on a mission - until Billy the Bitzer starts grunting
and growling and one little puppy runs home to her mum, then hooting
and howling, sending another one off and then another. Miss 2 loved
being Bill the Bitzer shaking and quaking, yapping and snapping and
joining in the refrain.
As well as the perennial appeal of puppies, this book is perfect for
helping the very young child develop numeracy skills. A step on from
the more traditional counting book, it is an introduction to
addition as each puppy joins the search for the bone, and then
subtraction as each goes home, warned off by the indomitable Billy
the Bitzer.This book appeals on so many levels, it deserves
its place on your shelves.
Barbara Braxton
Riley and the jumpy kangaroo by Tania McCartney
Ill. by Kieron Pratt. Ford St Publishing, 2013. ISBN 9781925000023
(hardback). ISBN 978192500030 (Paperback).
Highly recommended for young readers from 5 to 10. There were two
excellent reasons I was keen to review this latest Riley book.
Firstly, after two very happy years living and teaching in Canberra,
I knew I would relish the chance to share one of my favourite places
with my littlies. Secondly, I remember an absolutely fantastical fun
day hosting Tania McCartney in my library at Red Hill School and
watching the children fascinated with her presentation and her
stories about Riley - and the grand finale of launching dozens of
red paper planes across the library space. An exciting follow
up to this story was one little Prep boy writing and illustrating
his own Riley story which we gleefully scanned and sent to Tania,
who was thrilled.
Tania has created a loyal and enthusiastic fan base among younger
readers who simply eat up Riley's adventures (and I am convinced
imagine themselves flying in a little red bi-plane to their own next
destination).
This newest adventure coincides with Canberra's centenary and gives
readers a glimpse of many iconic images from our nation's capital. I
loved being able to show Miss Small the places I had seen so often
during my Canberra sojourn, when she had been here in Brisbane
wondering all the time about the strange place I described in
letters and phone calls. She now has a much clearer idea of a
city she has never seen. And she thoroughly enjoyed trying to
figure out just what that jumpy kangaroo was looking for!
Tania's books are such a marvellous blend of fiction and non-fiction
- like a whimsical travelogue for young ones - and children love to
identify with places they know or have seen on TV or in
movies. The Riley books are cleverly illustrated by combining
photographic images of each city with Kieron Pratt's quirky
cartoon-style additions. The resulting contrast is always
sensational.
I am certainly hoping that Brisbane might be next on Tania's list!
Sue Warren
The Kensington Reptilarium by N.J. Gemmell
Random House, 2013. ISBN 97808577980502.
(Ages 9+) Recommended. The story is set just after the conclusion of
World War II. Four Aussie, outback children, The Caddy Kids, are
going about their lives, albeit unusual ones, surviving and awaiting
the return of their Father from service. They seem a pretty hardy
bunch and when they are notified that their Father is actually
missing (by a stranger who is also there to transport them to
England), the adventure deepens. However after entrusting their
chaperone to see them safely placed with their long lost relative
overseas, their long lost relative isn't all that keen for the
children to actually stay with him. Uncle Basti happens to prefer
the company of, and is also the keeper of, deadly creatures. Well
this is juicy!
It's very hard not to feel a tinge of anxiety for The Caddy's plight
but for readers of a similar age, I'm sure Kick and company will
evoke a comradarie that takes them along for the ride. Resilience
and maturity are themes within the book, and the children often
demonstrate more adult behaviour than the adults do. The title
itself will generate interest for many readers, both boys and girls,
and it's interesting to note that The Kensington Reptilarium did
actually exist at this time. The writing style is slightly
reminiscent of Enid Blyton's Famous 5, or perhaps this is
simply due to the time the story is set in.
Cathy Nias
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922079770.
(Age: Adult-Senior Secondary) Recommended. Love. Asperger's
Syndrome. Don Tillman is a genetics professor who doesn't fit the
mould. He never gets past the first date and has few friends. In his
quest to find the perfect woman, he writes a 16 page questionnaire,
specifying among other things, that his prospective wife should be a
non-smoker, non-vegetarian, punctual and intelligent. Then he meets
Rosie, a barmaid who drinks, smokes and is always late. He puts
aside The Wife Project to help her find her biological father, in
what he dubs as the Father Project.
This is a book that once it is started, is exceptionally difficult
to put down. Simsion's writing is humorous and clever and often had
me laughing out loud at the antics that Don got up to in The Wife
Project, and his life as a professor at the university. Tillman
introduces us to the notion that Don has Asperger's when he gives a
talk, Genetic Precursors to Autism Spectrum, to a group of parents
and children. 'Fault! Asperger's isn't a fault. It's a variant. It's
potentially a major advantage. Asperger's syndrome is associated
with organisation, focus, innovative thinking and rational
detachment.' Pg. 11.
However it is the story of the growing relationship between Rosie
and Don that is the focus of the narrative and what kept me reading
avidly to the end. The stumbles that Don makes in his relationships
are often hilarious, but Simsion sweeps the reader along, ensuring
constant empathy with Don as he describes situations that anyone
could get into: needing a jacket for a swanky restaurant, misreading
ethical situations and longing for love and friendship. Rosie is
smart and beautiful, but she too has problems with her stepfather
and longs to know who her biological father is. The theme of
monogamy is prominent too, with Gene, Don's only friend, in an open
marriage and not aware of the effect that his actions have on his
family and other people.
Toss in some interesting information about genetics, a road trip
from Melbourne to Moree and a flight to New York, fabulous
characters and lots of humour and the mix makes this book a winner,
certainly a keeper to hand around to friends.
Pat Pledger
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Ill. by K.G. Campbell. Candlewick Press, 2013. ISBN
9780763660406.
This is a funny laugh out loud story and is highly recommended for
younger readers. It is also a beautifully designed book with
lovely comic book style illustrations with each alternative chapter
presented in comic book panels.
Flora watches from the window as Ulysses the squirrel is sucked up
by a vacuum cleaner, she rushes down to rescue him and finds a very
changed squirrel blessed with super powers. Together
Flora and Ulysses try to make sense of the world around them and
Flora has to protect Ulysses from the unwelcome attentions of her
own mother.
Luckily Flora is well up on the conventions of super powers and
superheros as she subscribes to The illuminated adventures of the
Amazing Incandesto which informs her every move in the strange world
of adults and their concerns. Teachers and parents reading
this story to their children will find much to amuse in Flora's
musings on the advice she receives from the sage Amazing Incandesto.
Children should love this book which does beg to be read aloud, with
each chapter ending in a new challenge for Flora and Incandesto as
they seek to solve the mysteries of life aided by a cast of
eccentrics including Flora's father who is estranged from his wife
and lodges at the Blixen arms and owned by Mr Klaus who has an
infamous cat of the same name.
Flora learns about love and life from her father's neighbour Dr
Meescham (originally from Blundermeecen) and from William Spiver her
neighbour who has his own issues.
If you want to know who will prevail and who will be vanquished I
suggest that you read this hilarious and moving story.
Michael Jongen
Monster School by D.C. Green
Ford Street, 2013. ISBN 9781925000078.
(Age: 8-11) 'Is this how all monsters react to humans? Thomas seemed
terrified by this thought; what would they think when they found
out?'
This book is about many things but what shines through the most is
that 95% of the monsters population hate ALL humans. For Thomas
Regus this is all about to change. A prince, soon to be king, is
living with his bodyguard Erica who surprisingly, is an ogre.
Wishing to be 'normal' he dresses as a swamp boy.
It has a number of unseen twists and an enjoyably surprising ending.
The author D.C. Green has included a small amount of detail for the
quirky characters in this book though I do think it was quite easy
to understand them. They are quite believable.
Ian Irvine calls this book 'A wild, wise-cracking ride.' I
agree. When reading this book I kept telling myself, 'Don't judge a
book by its cover'. Although the cover of this book may be
child-like the book itself is a fairly mature fantasy adventure
story. I enjoyed it.
It is designed for young people from 8-11 years of age.
Tayla M. (Student)
There, There by Sam McBratney
Ill. by Ivan Bates. Koala Books, 2013. ISBN 9781742760728.
(Age: 2+) Recommended. Love. Kindness. Caring. Read aloud. Hansie's
dad always says 'There, there, Hansie Bear' and gives him a hug
whenever he hurts himself. When he walked like a duck and fell into
a ditch, Dad was there, ready to comfort him with a There,
there.' The same thing happened when he got sand in his eyes
and when he bumped his head hard on a branch. So when Dad hurt his
foot, Hansie knows exactly what to do to help him with his injury.
This is a beautiful feel good story that is just as endearing as the
author's previous book, Guess how much I love you. McBratney has the
wonderful ability to encapsulate the feelings of the very young. His
description of and praise for the act of loving leaves both the
reader and child filled with happiness and joy just at the thought
of how much love is in Hansie's family.
The pictures are filled with soft warm browns, with the trees losing
their leaves and the wind blowing the clothes that Hansie's Dad has
hung on the clothesline. The expressions on the faces of the bears
and other animals in the story are delightful and the windy day is
drawn to perfection.
This a warm hearted book that is a keeper for me. It would be an
ideal present for parents and grandparents to give little children
and one for the classroom where family relationships, love,
compassion and caring are being discussed.
Pat Pledger
Once Tashi met a dragon by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Ill. by Kim Gamble. Allen & Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781741758870.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Picture book, Tashi series, Dragons.
Those hooked by the Tashi stories will be equally as excited with
this new picture book concerning Tashi's first meeting with a
dragon. The familiar little boy questions his grandmother about the
dragon he has heard about, and then questions Second Uncle and
Wise-as-an-owl and learns little.
Gamble's lovely watercolour illustrations are immediately
recognisable, as his sweep of muted colours give the impression of
an Asian countryside, not very far away with the warm green and
brown hues contrasting vividly with Tashi's more exotic clothes. The
lovely tactile image of the dragon on the front cover will draw
readers in to open the book and keep reading.
When the rains come crashing down, Grandmother tells the child that
the dragon brings the rain, but one year the rains do not come.
Tashi sets off to investigate. He finds the dragon, who is
distraught that he cannot wake his mother and has inadvertently
eaten his sister. Tashi teaches him to sing the song which wakes his
mother and so all is resolved with the rains once more falling on
the village.
As with all the stories, the character of Tashi is endearing: he is
a problem solver, he is not afraid of taking bold steps to get to
the heart of a problem. Readers will love reading of this adventure
and eagerly wait for the next. And if that is too hard, then a look
at the Tashi website
may fill the time.
Fran Knight
Where the stars still shine by Trish Doller
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781619631441.
(Age: 15+) Recommended for older teens as there is some explicit
content. Child abuse. Self-esteem. Family relationships. Callie has
been on the run for years. Stolen by her mother from her father and
a large extended family, she has been hidden in dingy flats; she has
never attended school and has found her food in Laundromat vending
machines. An intelligent girl, she has managed to learn to read and
has used libraries to discover things, but she doesn't have a clue
about how to live a normal life in a family. When her mother is
finally arrested and she is returned to her father, she must find a
way to fit in with her father's new family, a stepmother and step
siblings.
I was quite fascinated by the character of Callie and her voice felt
so authentic that I believed whole heartedly in her story,
empathised with her predicaments and cheered on her fumbling
attempts to fit into a normal family and her feelings about the way
her mother betrayed her. This is not a light look at a teen in
danger. The reader is carried along with Callie's story of how she
had been neglected by her mother, the danger that she was placed in
when her mother brought home men and her belief that she needed to
use sex to be loved. She is resilient and smart and her journey to
self-esteem and believing in love is a memorable one. When she meets
Alex Kostas she discovers that sex can be a beautiful and empowering
thing, rather than something to fear and the Greek community help
her to realise that she can be valued for herself.
This is a gritty, heart rending story that left me wondering how a
girl who hadn't gone to school and who was abused could manage to be
resilient against all the odds. Doller is such a clever author that
she made me believe that Callie would survive. This is sure to
appeal to readers who like harsh, realistic stories and could be one
for reluctant readers to pick up.
Pat Pledger
