The boy who hatched monsters is the third in The Imp Child trilogy written by WA author and teacher T.C. Shelley. These books spring from such a fertile and rich imaginative world that it is recommended that they are read in order, starting with The Monster who wasn't and Werewolves who weren't. Beginning with the third means that too much of the complicated character and plot evolution is missed leaving too many gaps for the reader to be able to fill in. The trilogy is recommended. It is a complicated but satisfying read.
There are many characters in these books. In fact, it seems, the whole of "monsterkind' inhabits these pages. There are leprechauns, pixies, trolls, boggarts, imps, banshees, brownies, goblins, trolls, ogres and more. The kingdom they inhabit is "The Hole"- a deep cavern which is the hub of the monster's lair deep under the earth's surface but accessible through street drain holes. At street level are the humans. We meet Russell who lives on the streets and his dog Kylie who first warns our hero Sam of the danger of Maggie an ancient Banshee who is hunting him down. Sam lives in the Kavanagh household with his "parents" Michelle and Richard. Sam is half monster/half fairy. He spends much of his time on the roof of the house at Brighton Beach. The house must be a magnificent old house because on its roof are gargoyles and if you didn't know it before - gargoyles are living creatures - of a sort! They are Sam's friends along with Daniel, the angel and a dove Yonah, so another layer of heavenly characters are added into the mix.
Monsters can only be produced by the evil ogre King Thunderguts who sighs beads into being. As sighs are made of regrets, fears and sadness, the beings produced are bad. Sam has produced a being through a sneeze and Queen Maggie wants him to produce an army of wicked ogres. When Sam refuses, Maggie wreaks sinister and vicious vengeance in the style of The Pied Piper of Hamelin on the children of Brighton and Hove. Outright warfare breaks out and it's bloodthirsty and violent.
The boy who hatched monsters, even more fanciful and populated by even more fantastic creatures than C.S Lewis's The lion, the witch and the wardrobe, nevertheless is reminiscent of the latter. The ending is climactic and mirrors, in a way, the rising of Aslan, although it is far more direct and not in the least reliant on symbolism. This makes the book (and the series) very powerful in its conception and unusual in the current literary environment because of its recognition of Christianity.
The foreword of the book contains a section from The Odyssey, Book X11, attrib. Homer, translated by Solomon Jedidiah (1865) about the Sirens. This reference sets the tone for the monsterlife that emerges from the pages of The boy who hatched monsters to be battled and changed for the better. Some very deep and important humanitarian themes arise.
You will never fail to notice gargoyles on a roof again and you will be looking out for monsters after reading The boy who hatched monsters.
Themes Magical, Mythical creatures, Humans, The soul, Good and evil, Belonging, Leadership.
The Last Firefox by Welsh writer Lee Newbery is a warm and easy read for young people as they bridge the years from primary into secondary school. The story unfolds in the first person voice through the eyes of the wholly likeable main character Charlie Challinor. Charlie is a worrier. He is quiet and nervous. The story opens with Charlie escaping from a goose and the reader quickly realises that Charlie has many fears including being the target of two bullies - Will and Zack.
Charlie is in year six. He has two dads who are planning to adopt a baby. This is unsettling for him but he has a tree house to escape to and hang out in with his two best friends, Lippy and Roo. The current politically correct penchant for presenting a mixture of characters and family dynamics is addressed in a natural way.
Looming over the small town of Bryncastell, in which Charlie lives, there is a crooked grey castle. Charlie ventures there alone as part of a game that he is playing with his friends. Through a mysterious vine covered door he encounters a boy from another world and he is forced to rescue and guard the last remaining firefox in the world. The agonies and dangers of trying to keep this lovely, vulnerable, furry, flammable fox secretly from everybody and safely away from a frightening otherworldly hunter make Charlie grow up and develop bravery fast.
The difficulties of the subterfuge, the need to protect a vulnerable fox and the risk from the sinister hunter enable Charlie's growth of trust in a widening group of people and the ability to stand up to bullies. With the development of maturity he is able to face the worries in his world.
In The last Firefox, Newbery has written a warm and engaging story that encompasses adventure, excitement, humour, a little bit of magic and a wonderful depiction of a young boy's development of confidence as he negotiates the personalities in his year six school classroom, changes in his home life and finding his place in his small town community.
The text is accompanied by the delightful illustrations of middle grade book illustrator, Laura Catalan.
Young people, especially those in year six, will find The last Firefox an easy to engage with, enjoyable and relatable story.
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526870. (Age:8+) Recommended.
Well-known Australian children’s author Anh Do has written a new book to join his very popular Wolf Girl, Sky Dragon, Ninja Kid and E-Boy series already in print. For those children who love sport and competition, The Champ contains similar themes to the other books but has a focus on many things sport related.
Summer and her older brother Carl have lost their parents in an accident and must look after themselves. Carl excels at sport but Summer struggles with any sort of physical activity until one day something mysterious happens and life for Summer and Carl changes in an instant. A strange purple light appears and the house the children live in is badly damaged. Flaming purple goop showers Summer and then she is knocked out by falling bricks and timber. She awakes in a hospital and while she in not badly injured her older brother Carl is. He has lost the use of his legs and will need to rely on a wheelchair for mobility. While he remains in hospital, Summer discovers she has amazing sporting powers and strength.
Summer is keen to test her new sporting and physical abilities at the local fair she attends with her best friend, Wilbur, and wins two tickets to the Gladiator Games. She takes Carl and while he does not want her to compete, Summer goes against his wishes, and dresses in disguise to take on the robot, Gemini. Needless to say, Summer excels but has come under the radar of the dreaded People’s Services who enter the arena. She escapes from them but must now be careful. Carl decides that Summer should use her new powers for good and help those in danger especially against the evil librarian who is terrorising the city.
This book has plenty of fast-paced action to keep the reader engaged. With illustrations throughout and highlighted key words, this book will appeal to those middle grade readers who respond well to the use of visuals to break up the number of words on the page.
The acronym STEM signifies a broad and complex range of term and ideas. Author Jenny Jacoby has cleverly chosen 100 common and not-so-common concepts to share and explain in The Encyclopedia of Stem Words. This vibrantly illustrated book is the perfect choice for those children who are fascinated by all things STEM related.
Beginning with Adaptation and ending with Zoology, there is so much to learn and understand. All 100 concepts are presented on a colourful, easy to read single page with diagrams and text boxes. Some of those concepts children may already be familiar with include such things as Jupiter, Fossil, Hypothesis, Gravity, Ozone and the Water Cycle. More unfamiliar ones include Hatching which are art techniques for adding shade, tone and texture to an ink or pencil drawing using parallel lines, or Mitochondria, a tiny but important structure inside almost every cell of the body, which help the body make energy.
The Contents, in alphabetical order, are spread across a double page and there is a very detailed Index giving explanations as well as page references. An important addition to the book is the ‘How to use this book’ page which is a welcome guide for young independent readers.
STEM is an important part of the Australian Curriculum, and this easy-to-use guide for both teachers and students in middle to upper primary grades, would be a welcome addition to a classroom, school or public library.
This is a highly original and intriguing collection of short stories, often dystopian and dark, with ambiguous endings that leave you pondering mental images and themes long afterwards. They are also quite varied in the worlds they create, so it’s likely that different readers will be drawn to different scenarios. From the cynical world of ‘Bock Bock’ about the guardians of the secret chicken recipe, to the clever ‘Else/If’ story written like programming code, or the choose-your-own-adventure style of ‘Reality quest’ there is sure to be something that will capture the attention of the modern technology-driven reading audience. At the same time another group of readers will empathise with the painful angst of ‘A house, divided’ where a disenchanted couple paint a dividing line through their home to create separate domains.
For me the stories that resonated most forcefully were the remembered worlds of children; the jealousy of siblings over Christmas presents and the stolen chocolate in ‘The last day of Christmas’; and then the heart-stopping story of children playing dare on the train track in ‘Home stretch’.
A poignant and touching story is ‘Third heaven’ which at initial reading suggests a sci-fi rendering of an alternate world between life and death, but then becomes recognisable as the lost world of the dementia resident of a nursing home.
The stories are quite different, with different themes, and different genres. What they show most brilliantly is the masterly craftsmanship of the short story format. Never giving too much away, they often start with snippets that create a world and then develop more complex layers that the reader gradually draws together to reach an understanding, like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. And even in the whole picture there is always something to contemplate and reflect on afterwards.
Themes Short stories, Technology, Modern life.
Helen Eddy
Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables Join Forces by Tim Harris
Mr BamBuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces, written by well-known author Tim Harris is the fifth brilliant addition, to an already popular series. However, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the previous titles, you can simply pick this one up and enjoy. But be warned, it will leave you clambering to get the other four books quickly!
Most children would love to be in class 12B, with Mr Bambuckle as their teacher. He is not only inspiring, intriguing and empathetic, but maybe a little bit magical too. Every class member feels welcome and is encouraged to stretch their thinking and challenge themselves. However, while 12B’s classroom is very inviting, even to four newcomers whose school has just closed down, the principal is not! Principal Sternblast is just as his name suggests. A mean man, who has a wicked scheme in place to turn his school upside down. He wants to create a school for high achievers, where he will get paid more and have new students join, but old students who do not pass the academic test will have to find another place to be educated. The class is horrified and don’t know what to do. Will 12B be able to come up with a plan to save their school or will they be forever displaced and never experience the fun of learning with Mr Bambuckle again?
Tim Harris has written another fast paced and entertaining novel. This story will make a terrific read aloud to children aged 7–11 years of age. The creative illustrations by James Hart provide the reader with further enjoyment and imagery. The first few pages are filled with trade card style pictures of each character, including their likes and dislikes. This enables the reader to immediately make connections with the characters. A great book for young readers who enjoy a laugh, but also with an underlying message; that everyone can make a difference if they believe in themselves and especially when they join forces!
Themes Humour, Friendships, School, Environment,.
Michelle O'Connell
The butterfly and the ants by Kate McCabe. Illus. by Nicole Berlach
The life cycle of the butterfly is a very popular topic for early years students. This appealing new release, The Butterfly and the Ants, tells this captivating story in wonderful detail from tiny holes appearing in the leaves of plants to the spreading of pollen to make seeds for the next generation of caterpillars. The author introduces the reader to the role ants play in the life of the caterpillar, who in the story is called Blue. These attendants create a nest close to where Blue hatched and protect him in the nest during the day and guide him out at night to feed. These ants keep away other insects and spiders as Blue feeds, and they clean him. While they are cleaning Blue they are feeding on the honey he secretes from a gland on his back. This relationship between Blue and the ants is known as symbiosis. The book goes on to share information about Blue’s growth and turning into a chrysalis. The detailed explanation of what is happening during metamorphosis is quite fascinating and will intrigue younger readers. Finally Blue turns into a butterfly and the cycle of life will begin again. In the final pages are more facts about Blue and the butterflies he is related to as well as a glossary.
This book, with its colourful and appealing illustrations, will be a fabulous resource for schools and public libraries. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Butterflies, Caterpillars, Symbiosis, Nature, Life Cycles.
Kathryn Beilby
Five go adventuring again by Enid Blyton. Illus. by Beja and Natael
This is graphic novel version of the well-known book The Famous Five: Five go adventuring again by Enid Blyton (this one is by Beja and Natael).
I must admit that I never read this series as a child, I was more taken by the Enchanted Wood series, however I recognise the writing style of Enid Blyton, even though it is a graphic novel.
This book tells the story of the Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on Kirrin Island. Although it is meant to be holidays their Aunt and Uncle bring in a tutor to help the children revise over the holidays and an architect to work through a renovation.
The children sense that these two men are suspicious, and the story follows their adventures to find out what they are really doing on the island and then they hatch a plan to get the evidence.
I think this graphic novel version is a great way of introducing this series to younger or more reluctant readers, as it is easy to follow and understand and still seems to keep elements of Enid Blyton’s writing style – even with the story being 80 years old!
The illustrations are great, and I think they are a good mix of the original style of images from the books and drawings that enhance a graphic novel. The use of large words, speech bubbles and facial expressions enable to reader to use the pictures to add meaning to the text.
I think that this graphic novel is a good edition to the Famous Five/Enid Blyton series and am now keen to find some of the others and read them too. Readers from approximately 7 years and up would love these, in particular those who are reluctant readers and enjoy illustrations to assist the text.
The Bravest Word is written by Kate Foster, Australian Yoga teacher, Author and Family Constellations Therapist. On her homepage it says that Foster guides...' others to courageously trust their own precious hearts...' Her previous novel Paws has been very well received. Paws deals with self awareness and understanding of mental illness. The Bravest Word similarly needs to be promoted in every school library and placed into the hands of every Middle School teacher because it deals with such a serious subject - anxiety and depression in young people and how to recognise and deal with it. Hats off and congratulations to Kate Foster for bringing this subject into the open in such a sympathetic and engaging way. Dogs play a significant healing role in both books.
We see the world through the first person voice of eleven-year-old Matt. Matt is side-swiped by the onset of feelings that he has never had before and doesn't understand. Once the star football player, full of light and laughter, he suffers a panic attack during a football game. He withdraws from his friends, doesn't feel normal, can't enjoy his sport, can't concentrate on his school work and has physical and emotional symptoms that make him just want to sleep in his bedroom day and night. Foster skilfully depicts the struggle of the parents as they have to understand and accept that their son has Depression (the hardest word) and what that means for his future. Matt's aspirational mother has driven him hard to be the successful son particularly with sport. His father recognises the problem sooner and is able to reach out, intercede and stand up for Matt. Pivotal to the story is the discovery and adoption of an abused dog that Matt names Cliff. Matt and Cliff are on parallel journeys of healing - both being enormously essential to each other.
Matt writes as Cliff under the moniker Cliff-The-Abandoned-Dog journaling on a type of interactive blogsite called PICROLL. Many followers share the journey which morphs from a focus on Cliff to a focus on Matt. People from all over the world share their experiences with mental health issues. Matt begins to understand that he is not alone.
The Bravest Word is written in such a warm and knowing style that any person suffering even the slightest hint of anxiety or depression will instantly recognise their own feelings and be comforted. It is a riveting read. Foster traces the path of the illness, the effects on Matt and his family and the impacts on schoolwork, sport and friendships with such clarity that one wonders how she knows so much.
This is answered at the end in the acknowledgements when Foster states... 'I can promise there is someone out there who will listen. And I can promise this because one of those is me.' The Author's note at the end discusses depression in the most helpful way and includes a list of contacts of organisations that give support and advice.
Bravo Kate Foster! This is an important book. Please get it into the hands of our young people.
Catalina Parkes Mendes (call me ‘Cat’!) has opinions and a life that has now been tipped upside down because her mother has just become Prime Minister and moved her into the Lodge in Canberra. Growing up as a teenager with a single Mum is hard enough without doing it in the gaze of the entire country. But the most difficult thing is having to swallow her opinions about climate change and what the future should look like in case it upsets her mother’s political agenda and standing. But right from the beginning things are going to be tough because the activist group Action Uprising is causing mayhem in Canberra, and although Cat loves her Mum, she probably supports them rather than her mother’s slow-paced political solutions. On top of this, she has to settle into a new school right at the time of Year-level elections and make friends and not upset anyone by expressing her real views. Silence is not really something that Cat is comfortable with, but she becomes tied up in the ‘political game’ in her own way. And friendship requires negotiation and side-stepping too. Life is a minefield and any false moves can have big consequences. And in the political arena Cat’s mother seems to be wearing a target too.
This is the book inspired by the ABC-TV programme created by Tristram Baumber and Matthew Allred. Its focus on the political world through the eyes of Cat, the recently-arrived Western Australian and now Canberran teen tangled in the conflict of ideas, is an eye-opening story. Even for those who have missed the TV series, this story weaves enough potential romance, activism with 21st century strategies, politics, and human drama together to make for an impressive storyline. It is fast paced and contemporary and worth recommending to readers aged 13+. With environmental issues mentioned without being argued, potential risks of a succession bid by Western Australia, the perils and ethics of activism and the protest movement, and insights into political life for family members who are accidental draftees, there is something to think about behind the coming-of-age aspects of teenage life. Meredith Costain has created a very readable story that communicates social and political issues with a light touch. The characters in the story come from a variety of cultural heritages and have their own quirks and idiosyncrasies that are appealing and occasionally comical. Teen readers will enjoy this story.
The tempting front cover belies the title, as Alfie is shown with some consternation about the mouse above his head. Alfie’s eyes look upward with some trepidation, his ears in a sad flop across his face, complete with a dejected mouth. What wonderful characteristics are displayed with a few strokes of the illustrator’s pen, enough to make any reader want to look inside.
Alfie longs to be brave like other dogs. After all he comes from exceptional stock, but he loves nothing more than to snuggle into his mum’s lap on the couch, especially when he finds things a little upsetting. The garden is a good place to hide, while going on a walk sees him baulk at a cat that crosses his path. When taken to the beach he prefers sniffing at the seaweed, rather than face the waves, while going to a farm with those very large cows sees him chat to the birds somewhere else. He knows he is not brave, and wishes that he were, but small things scare him. Young readers will love hearing about Alfie, recognising their own fears of things out of the ordinary in their lives.
His family loves him and that is what is important but he would like to be brave.
Each group of sentences ends with ‘he was not the bravest dog’, a refrain that reads will love to remember and join in when it comes around.
The vibrant illustrations show a loving family with Alfie at the core. The illustrations model good behaviour with a pet, taking him on walks, taking him on family outings, allowing him to be on the couch, and loving him no matter what. The look on Alfie’s face says so much, and kids will enjoy seeing how a few strokes of the pen can give so much expression to the dog’s face.
Of course in the end, Alfie shows his worth, barking at a snake to alert his dad’s attention. All is right with the world, Alfie is the bravest dog.
A delightful picture book by Australian of the Year (2018) recipient, Dr Richard Harris, himself revealing a courage and level of bravery we can only marvel at.
Simon Howe has illustrated a number of picture books, and is well known for his work in animation.
Themes Bravery, Courage, Dogs, Family.
Fran Knight
Yesterday Crumb and the storm in a teacup by Andy Sagar
Yesterday Crumb and the storm in a teacup by London and Cambridge based author Andy Sagar, is a wild trip into a world of pure fantasy. The story begins within the setting of a travelling circus (probably of the mid to late 1800s) when human oddities (freaks) were displayed to the crowds as part of the show. Our hero, Yesterday Crumb, is such a freak, an orphan, dumped with the show - a girl with fox ears. Despite the jeers and horrified curiosity of the crowd and the cruelty of her minders, Yesterday is feisty. She escapes from the circus into a world of magical cake and tea, witches and magical folk of all kinds.
The next setting is a teapot called Dwimmerly end which is capable of travel. It is a fantastical, quirky multi-coloured and patterned teapot, full of quirky characters, rooms and gardens, which functions as a magical tearoom serving magical teas to magic folk. The teapot travels to imaginary and real settings in England on its flamingo legs. Yesterday encounters a cast of characters who help her on her quest to remove the shard of ice that has lodged in her heart through the evil machinations of Mr Weep, the King of the Dead. She discovers that she is a changeling and that she has lost her magic. Under the tutelage of the sweet witch, Miss Dumpling, Yesterday learns to regain her magic. She learns some truths about her past, some of which are very hard to accept. The cast of characters include the quite quirkily delightful Jack, Widdershins, Madrigal and Miss Dumpling, the villainous Mr Weep and the powerful Lady Saturnine. We learn of the roles and regulations in the witch kingdom as Yesterday learns to perfect her potions in order to become a licensed witch permitted to practice by the Royal College of Witches.
The magic is in the tea, with such potions as Jumbling Jasmine, Verdant Vanilla, Steeped Storm and Perfect Panacea being able to be used for a variety of powerful purposes. With time running out, Yesterday has to consolidate her powers, face the evil Mr Weep and complete her quest. The matter of her disappeared mother is still an unresolved mystery at the end of the book. The reader has to wait for the next book in the Yesterday Crumb series for more adventures of the teashop.
Note to teachers, librarians and parents: Chapter 18 and 19 deal with the kingdom of death/ the afterlife and the passageway to that place. The place is described as very grim. This may be unsuitable for children who are dealing with death or serious illness themselves or in their family. Sensitivity is needed around this subject. Although children know that this book is fantasy, they may not be able to distinguish that the depiction of the afterlife is also imaginary.
Yesterday Crumb and the storm in a teacup drops readers into a very strange world. It is a richly descriptive, imaginative romp that is full of the warmth of friendship, the acceptance of difference and the power of friendships. It may be a challenge for young readers to acquaint and adapt themselves in order to sink into this peculiar imaginary world. It will be very interesting to see the take up of readership of Yesterday Crumb and the storm in a teacup and whether children will be capable of the suspension of reality that this book requires.
Themes Magic, Fantasy, Belonging, Celebration of difference.
Wendy Jeffrey
The Great Southern Reef by Paul Venzo & Prue Francis. Illus. by Cate James
The Great Southern Reef is another beautifully illustrated factual narrative picture book from CSIRO Publishing telling a story about the Great Southern Reef, which stretches between Western Australia and northern New South Wales. The reader is taken on a journey with Professor Seaweed and her two companions, Frankie and Sam. The story begins with a huge storm hitting the coast in the evening and clearing by the next morning. It is then the perfect time for the trio to go beachcombing. Along the way they discover many wonders of the ocean that have been washed ashore, including cuttlefish, a shark egg and shells. They also find heaps of rubbish which they collect and take home to recycle. Throughout the exploration, Professor Seaweed gives an explanation about what they have discovered and how to care for the beach and ocean environment. Unfamiliar words are highlighted and explained by the professor as well as being referenced in the Glossary at the end of the book. The book also contains a double page spread giving facts about the Great Southern Reef and a large map on the final endpapers showing the southern half of Australia and where the reef is located.
This wonderful story would be a prefect resource to share with children on June 8, World Ocean Day. For both adults and children this story will remind them of moments spent walking along a beach and searching for hidden treasures from the sea. Teacher's notes are available.
When Granny came to stay by Alice Pung. Illus. by Soweol Han
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781760984991. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
When Granny Came To Stay is part of a new chapter book series for readers 5+ that is ‘explicitly about diversity, anti-racism and inclusion’. It aims to engage readers through softer and funny stories and shows the real lives and experiences of children living in Australia.
I REALLY loved this book! I don’t even know where to start……
This is a book about Ethan, a grade 2 who loves Destroyer Discs (like Beyblade’s-which you may know if you currently have young children!!). His Mum is returning to work, so his Granny comes over from China to help look after him while she settles in to work. The story simply tells of the building of their relationship in real life, rather than over facetime and how she shares her experiences with Ethan. It shows how Ethan finds certain parts of his granny annoying, the intricacies of school yard friendships, and accepting the differences between everyone.
I love the illustrations; they are such an amazing addition to this book. Sally Soweol Han really captures the families’ emotions and stories. Although they are black and white, I really felt the colourful family life Ethan has with his parents and his Grandparents.
The text is a good size for younger readers, and I love the double line spacing. This ensures that early readers are not overwhelmed by the number of words on the page, but also gives the sense of a real ‘novel’ as they move on from being an emergent reader.
In addition to the great story, the last part of the book also has step by step instructions on how to make Granny’s spinning top that was in the text. It is simple to follow, with diagrams, enabling the 5+ readers to easily be able to construct the top.
What an awesome book! One that I will definitely be adding to my library collection (and all the other titles in the series that I can find!)
Themes Diversity, Grandparents, Inclusion.
Lauren Fountain
Is there anyone better than Henrietta? by Martine Murray
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761067181. (Age:5-7) Highly recommended.
Is there anyone better than Henrietta? is one full coloured book comprised of four Henrietta stories.The delightful and enchanting Henrietta P. Hoppenbeek is back and she is just full of joy. This is a book that asks to be put straight into the hands of early years teachers for their class read alouds and parents for warm and funny bedtime stories.
Children will laugh a lot with Henrietta and also feel with her as she navigates the common concerns of being five years old like starting school, being a good sister for a new baby brother, being a friend and being actively involved in the real world and the world of the imagination. They will love the play of language. Their imaginations will be fired by Henrietta's hilarious, adventurous approach to life.
Martine Murray is the author and illustrator of acclaimed books. Henrietta and the perfect night which is included in this collection was a CBCA Honour book in 2018. Henrietta, there's no one better (also included in this collection) has been shortlisted for several awards. It comes as no surprise that this book was shortlisted, best book for language development, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, 2005. Murray's use of language is playful and exciting. These books are made for reading out loud, for playing with words and for having fun. Classes of children will be delighted with the vocabulary - Sheezamageeza! Oh Lordy! Lordy! Somewhat reminiscent of a combination of Pippi Longstocking and Milly Molly Mandy, Henrietta is really her own self. We see the world through her eyes, through her own first person voice.
These Henrietta stories are an invitation for imagination and play. Adults and children will find inspiration for a lot of sheer fun if they borrow ideas from Henrietta. How about wearing a pair of pants on top of your head with your pigtails coming out through the legholes? What about making some of that favourite, fabulous Chocolate Ripple cake? If teachers combine activities and silliness with the reading of these stories, there will be constant requests for more Henrietta. The stories virtually read themselves as the playful text design highlights expressive speech in bold, in different fonts, in different colours and sometimes by spiralling around on the page.
The whimsical, happy, pencil and ink drawings with gouache colour swirl across the pages accompanied by an equally attractive text design. Comprehensive teacher resources are available on the Allen and Unwin site.
Do introduce the children in your life to Henrietta Hoppenbeek.
